Move to Melbourne, Australia. The routes, mapped.
12 visa routes into Australia, each with its real required-document list, pulled live from the Nomad knowledge graph. Start a plan and we sequence the right one for your situation.
United States to Australia: the money facts
Treaty coverage, double-tax exposure, and what setup actually costs, so you know the financial shape of the move before you commit.
How you can legally move to Australia
12 visa routes into Australia, every route the knowledge graph maps, unranked. The numbers that decide the route: income floor, timeline, filing costs, and who comes with you.
| Route | Income floor | Timeline | Costs | Family & work | About & documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) | $4,200/mo | 4 years~4 wks processing 路 Renewable | $2,120 fee$3,500 all-in | Family ok | An employer-sponsored temporary work visa granting up to 4 years in Australia, with a permanent residence pathway after 2 years, for skilled workers sponsored by an approved Australian employer. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Employer Verification Letter (Notarized, Apostilled) 路a, Australia Skills Assessment, FBI Background Check 路a, Australia Immigration Health Examination, Australia ImmiAccount Official source |
| Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) | Varies | 5 years~60 wks processing | $3,240 fee$4,800 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A 5-year provisional skilled visa for regional Australia that awards a 15-point boost and leads to permanent residence after 3 years of compliant regional living and work. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Australia Skills Assessment, FBI Background Check 路a, Australia Immigration Health Examination, Australia ImmiAccount Official source |
| Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) | Varies | 1 year~4 wks processing 路 Renewable | $420 fee$600 all-in | Remote work ok | A 12-month travel and work visa for US citizens aged 18 to 30 who want to live and work casually across Australia with no employer for more than 6 months. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Australia ImmiAccount Official source |
| Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) | Varies | 3 months~1 wk processing 路 Renewable | $15 fee$15 all-in | Family ok | A fast, low-cost electronic travel authority for eligible passport holders visiting Australia for tourism or short business activities, valid for up to 3 months per stay. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity) Official source |
| Student visa (subclass 500) | Varies | Varies~8 wks processing 路 Renewable | $1,320 fee$1,700 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A temporary visa for full-time study at a registered Australian institution, allowing limited work rights and a pathway toward skilled or graduate visas. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), FBI Background Check 路a, Australia Immigration Health Examination, Australia ImmiAccount, Australia Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Official source |
| Visitor visa (subclass 600) | Varies | 3 months~4 wks processing | $130 fee$150 all-in | Family ok | A temporary visitor visa granting stays of up to 3, 6, or 12 months with no work rights, used for tourism, family visits, or as a bridge while an onshore visa processes. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Australia ImmiAccount Official source |
| Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) | $4,200/mo | Varies~60 wks processing | $3,240 fee$4,500 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | Permanent residence visa for employer-sponsored workers, typically converting from a temporary work visa after two years with an Australian employer. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Employer Verification Letter (Notarized, Apostilled) 路a, Australia Skills Assessment, FBI Background Check 路a, Australia AFP National Police Check, Australia Immigration Health Examination Official source |
| National Innovation visa (subclass 858) | Varies | Varies~40 wks processing | $3,290 fee$5,000 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | Permanent residence visa granted on first approval for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement in innovation, research, the arts, sport, or entrepreneurship, with no points test or employer required. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), FBI Background Check 路a, Australia Immigration Health Examination, Australia ImmiAccount Official source |
| Partner visa (subclasses 820/801 onshore, 309/100 offshore) | Varies | Varies~70 wks processing | $6,180 fee$6,800 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A relationship-based residence route to Australian permanent residency for partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens, with no points test or employer sponsorship required. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Marriage Certificate (Apostilled) 路a, FBI Background Check 路a, Australia Immigration Health Examination, Australia ImmiAccount Official source |
| Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) | Varies | Varies~30 wks processing | $3,240 fee$4,800 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | Permanent residence for skilled workers who win a points-based invitation through Australia's SkillSelect system, with no employer, sponsor, or state required. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Australia Skills Assessment, FBI Background Check 路a, Australia Immigration Health Examination, Australia ImmiAccount Official source |
| Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) | Varies | Varies~40 wks processing | $3,240 fee$4,800 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | A points-tested permanent residence visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory, awarding a crucial five bonus points toward the invitation threshold. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Australia Skills Assessment, FBI Background Check 路a, Australia Immigration Health Examination, Australia ImmiAccount Official source |
| Australian Citizenship by Conferral | Varies | Varies~40 wks processing | $380 fee$400 all-in | Remote work ok, Family ok | Australian citizenship by conferral grants full citizenship to permanent residents who have lived in Australia for 4 years, pass a citizenship test, and attend a ceremony. Documents: US Passport (6-Month Validity), Australia Permanent Resident Status (PR), FBI Background Check 路a Official source |
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Which route is right for you?
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