Filipinos, just like any other foreign nationals, have to apply for suitable visas if they want to immigrate to Australia from the Philippines. The visa application procedure for those who move to Australia from the Philippines follows the standard requirements imposed for each visa type.
Therefore, if you want to migrate to Australia as a Filipino national, we invite you to find out more on the requirements you need to comply with, based on the visa of interest (work, study, family reunification – they represent the most common visa paths chosen by foreigners).
Table of Contents
Novelties of the law on immigration in Australia for Filipinos
2024 brings very good news for Filipino passport holders who move to Australia from the Philippines, as 2 important modifications on the law on immigration to Australia have been introduced. These changes refer to the Business Visitor stream (Subclass 600) and the introduction of the Work Holiday program for Filipino nationals.
These changes have been introduced starting with 1st of April 2024 and 1st of July 2024, respectively. Our Australia migration lawyer can provide in-depth information on each visa, for those interested in participating in these 2 visa programs.
Extension of the Business Visitor stream for Filipinos
Filipinos who want to migrate to Australia from the Philippines for business purposes benefit from a new regulation, that favors those who arrive from this country. Normally, the business visa stream grants the right to stay in Australia for a period of 3 months at a time, in a 180 days period.
Once obtained, the visa is valid for a period of 3 years, during which visa holders can enter on the Australian territory respecting the above-mentioned rule. However, starting with 1st of April 2024, the validity of this visa was extended to 5 years for the persons arriving from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes Philippines as well.
This measure was taken as a commitment of the Australian authorities to strengthen the economic ties with ASEAN countries, and it is a part of the “Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040” strategy.
The introduction of the Work Holiday program for Filipinos
Temporary immigration to Australia is possible through the work holiday programs, which allow young foreigners to relocate here for a short period of time (up to 1 year) for work, holiday and study.
Australia has established work holiday programs with several countries and, starting with 1st of July 2024, this program includes the Filipino nationals as well. Therefore, young Filipinos can relocate to Australia from the Philippines by applying for the Subclass 462 visa (Work Holiday visa). One can immigrate to Australia from the Philippines under the work holiday program by meeting the following requirements:
- have an age of minimum 18 years old and maximum 30 (those who are 30 at the moment of the application can still enroll in the program, but they can’t be 31 when they apply);
- stay in Australia for 12 months (meaning, Filipinos will have temporary residency in Australia);
- be enrolled in tertiary education in the home country (applicants must have completed 2 years of tertiary education at the moment of the application);
- one can relocate to Australia from the Philippines after the payment of the application fee, of AUD 635.
Please mind that the program allows the issuance of only 200 such visas, therefore only 200 Filipinos can immigrate to Australia from the Philippines under this visa, in one financial year. This visa can’t be used as a way to obtain permanent residency, therefore this is not a suitable immigration program for those interested in Australian citizenship.
Our immigration lawyer in Australia can offer more details on other visa options that can offer long-term/permanent residency rights. We invite you to address our team for advice on the new immigration policies introduced in 2024, as well as for any other information on how to migrate to Australia from the Philippines.
