Japanese citizens moving to Australia
7 verified visa pathways into Australia, sorted by path-to-PR and lowest cost. Every requirement, fee, and processing time is sourced from the official Australia government register.
Visa pathways for Japanese citizens
7 pathways you're eligible for as a Japanese citizen, ranked by path-to-PR first, then by lowest government fee. 1 additional pathway is restricted to other nationalities — see the footnote below.
Open specifically to Japanese citizens
1 treaty pathway is available because of your nationality
- WHM 417 Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417) — Allows young people from eligible countries to work and holiday in Australia for up to 1-3 years.
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
Post-study work rights for international graduates of Australian institutions. Two streams: Post-Vocational Education Work (18 months) and Post-Higher Education Work (2-4 years depending on degree level). Path to skilled migration.
Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482)
Employer-sponsored temporary work visa for skilled workers in shortage occupations. Bridge to permanent residency.
Skilled Independent (subclass 189)
Australia's points-tested permanent residency visa with no state sponsorship or employer required.
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)
Points-tested permanent residency with state or territory nomination. Nomination adds 5 extra points to your score.
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491)
State/territory or family-sponsored regional skilled visa. Lower points threshold than the 189 independent stream — nominated by a state typically adds 15 points, making it accessible to candidates with CRS scores that wouldn't qualify federally. Leads to the 191 permanent residency after 3 years living and working regionally.
Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188A)
For business owners looking to establish or develop a new or existing business in Australia.
Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417)
Allows young people from eligible countries to work and holiday in Australia for up to 1-3 years.
Not available to Japanese citizens
The following Australia pathway is restricted by treaty / partner-country agreements that don't include Japanesecitizens. They're listed here so you don't spend time researching options that aren't open to you.
- 462 Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) — restricted partner list of 26 nationalities
Which one fits you?
Take the 45-second quiz to see your match score for every Australia pathway, ranked by your actual profile.
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