Australian Visa Options for Chinese Citizens (2026 Guide)

Chinese citizens can access skilled migration, the student-to-485 pipeline, the invitation-only National Innovation Visa (858), employer sponsorship and family visas. This covers each pathway's points, criteria and 2026 charges, plus SAFE's currency quota for moving money. Figures as at September 2026.

Read the full guide, with official sources →

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Chapters

  1. 0:00 Five routes into Australia
  2. 0:15 189 visa: pass mark 65.
  3. 0:29 Competent English:
  4. 0:44 190: +5 points.
  5. 0:59 858 visa: no points test,
  6. 1:12 858 first instalment: $6,235.
  7. 1:27 188 visa: closed
  8. 1:40 SAFE quota:
  9. 1:51 482 income threshold:
  10. 2:07 485 eligibility:
  11. 2:21 Partner: $11,710 (≈CNY 55,900).
  12. 2:40 Which pathway fits
  13. 2:52 Where to read more

Transcript

Chinese citizens have five main routes into Australia — skilled migration, the student pathway, the invitation-only National Innovation Visa, employer sponsorship, and family visas.

The subclass 189 needs an occupation on the MLTSSL, a skills assessment, and at least Competent English — the pass mark is 65 points, and Proficient English adds 10, Superior adds 20.

For tests taken from 7 August 2025, Competent English means IELTS 6 in each component, or PTE Academic 47 listening, 48 reading, 51 writing and 54 speaking.

State nomination on the subclass 190 adds 5 points. The subclass 491 is a 5-year provisional visa — nomination or family sponsorship adds 15 points, and after 3 years you can apply for the subclass 191.

The National Innovation Visa, subclass 858, replaced the Global Talent visa for applications from 6 December 2024 — no points test, no occupation list, no job offer required.

The first charge instalment is $6,235 from 1 July 2026. Each applicant aged 18 or over without functional English pays a second instalment of $4,890.

The Business Innovation and Investment visa, subclass 188, closed to new applicants on 31 July 2024. Existing holders can still move to the permanent subclass 888.

Under SAFE rules, each individual has an annual quota of USD 50,000 for buying foreign currency — splitting purchases to get around it is prohibited.

The subclass 482 needs 12 months of full-time work in the past 5 years, and a salary meeting the Core Skills income threshold of $79,423. The 186 grants permanent residence after a qualifying period.

To qualify for a subclass 485 later, your Australian study must total at least 2 academic years over at least 16 calendar months, taught in English. Studying in a designated regional area adds 5 points.

A partner visa costs $11,710, about CNY 55,900. The Contributory Parent visa costs $49,900 in total; the standard Parent visa costs $6,600 plus a $2,065 second instalment.

The right pathway depends on your points score, your occupation, and whether you have an employer or family sponsor — a MARA-registered migration agent can review your situation and recommend the strongest one.

The full guide, with the official sources, is on migratio.com.au. The link is in the description. And if you'd like to talk it through, you can compare registered migration agents there, and see their fees before you book anything.

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