Australia

Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), then skilled migration. Australia lets graduates stay 18 months to 3 years with full work rights after an expensive degree, but the 2024 reforms cut the age cap to 35 and shortened the streams, and the 485 itself scores no points and grants no permanence; it is a runway to a skilled or employer-sponsored visa.

Free, with the law behind every answer

Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), then skilled migration

A temporary visa with full work rights: up to 18 months on the vocational stream, 2 years for bachelor’s and coursework master’s, 3 years for research master’s and PhDs (longer for Indian nationals under the 2023 trade agreement).

Who qualifies

Under 35 at application for the Post-Higher Education Work and Post-Vocational Education Work streams (renamed on 1 July 2024); the cap stays at 50 for research master’s and PhD graduates and for Hong Kong and BN(O) passport holders.
Department of Home Affairs, Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), changes from 1 July 2024
A recent Australian qualification meeting the two-year Australian study requirement, and English of at least IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 5.5 (or equivalent), tested within the last year.
Department of Home Affairs, Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
Hold, or have held within the last 6 months, a student visa; apply from inside Australia; hold adequate health insurance.
Department of Home Affairs, Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)

You keep your U.S. citizenship.

It could fit.

Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), then skilled migration needs admission to a qualifying course; the course and your passport then decide it.

What would settle itYour admission and the course’s eligibility under the destination’s rules.

Every option that fits your family

Not legal advice.

What it takes.

Time: 2–4 years of study, 2–6 months for the 485 decision, then 18 months to 3 years on the visa to secure something permanent.
Cost: International tuition of A$25,000–45,000 a year (about $16,000–29,000), the 485 charge of about A$2,300 (about $1,500), health insurance, and about A$29,710 a year in proof of funds for the student visa.
The hard part: Over 35 and you are out unless you did a research degree; under 35 you have less time and a higher English bar than before 2024 to turn the 485 into a points-tested or sponsored visa in a tighter market.

Citizens by 2032.

If your first permit is issued in 2027 and you keep living there, this is the road.

2027
First residence permit
2 years, not renewable.
2031
Apply for citizenship
With a language test and a civics test.
2032
Citizenship

Language: Basic English; there is no separate language exam, but the test and interview are in English.
Civics: The citizenship test: 20 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes; pass with 75% overall and all 5 questions on Australian values right.
Time away: Four years living in Australia on a valid visa immediately before applying, the last 12 months as a permanent resident; no more than 12 months away in total in the four years, and no more than 90 days in the last year.
Two passports: Yes. You keep your U.S. citizenship.

Time on student and graduate visas counts toward the four years, but citizenship also needs the last twelve months as a permanent resident, so the family must win a skilled or sponsored permanent visa before the 485 runs out.
How long the decision takes isn’t published; we allow a year.

The law behind these dates

Living there.

Time you must spend there: The program sets no minimum number of days. Renewal still expects it to be your home.
Tax: Living in Australia on the visa makes you a tax resident on worldwide income at resident rates; no special regime.

We never file a tax return. We tell you what applies and brief the professional who does.

Start today.

Check your stream, age and English-test validity on Home Affairs’ subclass 485 page before your student visa expires.Open immi.homeaffairs.gov.au ↗
Gather these documents.
- The degree or admission letter, and proof of funds
- Request your FBI Identity History Summary
- Health insurance that meets the program’s rules

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