List of Australian vs. Canadian Visas | Immigration & Work Options

Are you looking for the best visa options? But you are still stuck on the list of Australian vs. Canadian Visas. Here is the guide to detailed visa comparisons.

Australia and Canada are famous for shaping a bright future. There is a long list of visa options here. So, people often get confused when choosing the right visa or the visa of the right country. Thus, there are different requirements and processing times for each visa.

In this article, you will learn which country has the best visa for you. Also, you will get a detailed comparison of both country’s visa options.

So, let’s get started with an in-depth overview of the Australian and Canadian visa lists.

Overview of Popular Visas: List of Australian vs. Canadian Visas

The list of Australian vs. Canadian visas has the following popular visa options.

• Tourists and Short stay visas
• Work Visas
• Student Visas
• Permanent Residency (PR) Options
• Family Sponsorship Visas

The student visa is the most common among the young generation. Nowadays, everyone is serious about their future. And what better place to study than Australia and Canada? 

According to last year’s statistics, the percentage of international students is highest in Australia at 26%. On the other hand, this number has been rising in Canada by 29%.

Moreover, many people go to foreign countries on tourist visas to find jobs there. So they can easily apply for a work visa later. In short, there are many visa options available to you.

Let’s compare all visas in Australia and Canada in detail.

1. Tourist and Short-Stay Visas: Australia vs Canada

Australia

In Australia, there are different tourist visas for various purposes, such as tourism, business tours, or family visits. Thus, the visa holder can stay for up to three, six, or twelve months, depending on the visa type. 

Subclass 600 visitor visas have the following conditions:

• The applicant for travel stram(outside Australia) must not be within Austrailia while applying.
• The visa holders whose visas are expiring can also apply for tourist visas.
• The applicants for the travel stream (inside Australia) must be present within Australia.
• The citizens of the People’s Republic of China (except SARs) can get this visa for group tours if they have a valid passport from Cina.
• For the family visit, the applicant must have the sponsorship of some member in Austrailia.

Canada

Canadian visitor visas have the following conditions:

• Valid travel document (Passport)
• Necessary Health Certificates
• Clean criminal record
• Funds proof to facilitate your stay in Canada
• Evidence of a strong bond with the home country.
• A letter of Invitation from your relative in Canada.

Criteria	Australia	Canada
Visa Name	Subclass 600 Visitor Visa (Tourism/Business)	Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)
Eligibility	Citizens of most countries	Citizens of most countries (Visa-exempt require eTA)
Purpose	Tourism, business visits (non-work), visiting relatives	Tourism, business visits, visiting relatives
Duration of Stay	Up to 12 months (depending on application)	Generally six months
Cost	AUD 195  (Standard application)	CAD 100 (Visitor Visa)
Processing Time	10-20 days on average	10-30 days
Multiple Entries	Yes, available for 3, 6, or 12 months, multiple entries	Yes, typically, multiple-entry visas are available
Special Conditions	No work rights but can study up to 3 months	No work or study allowed without separate permits

2. Work visas: List of Australian vs. Canadian Visas

Australia

TSS (Temporary Skill Shortage) visas have the following conditions:

• An employee in Australia must select an applicant for the skilled job.
• The applicant must have the right skills.
• Clearance of English proficiency test.
• The job must be part of the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List or ROL (Regional Occupation List)

Canada

Temporary work visas have the following conditions:

• A valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
• Some employers must have the LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment.
• A qualification proof that is needed for the job.
• Health certificates.

Criteria	Australia	Canada
Visa Name	Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482)	Temporary Work Permit
Eligibility	Sponsorship by an approved employer	Job offer from a Canadian employer
Purpose	Temporary work in Australia for up to 4 years	Temporary work in Canada for a specific employer
Stay	Up to 4 years	Depends on the job offer and contract (typically 1-2 years)
Cost	AUD 3,115.00 (Medium-term stream)	CAD 155 (for work permit)
Processing Time	4-8 weeks	1-4 months, depending on the application route
Pathway to PR	Yes, under certain conditions (via employer sponsorship)	Yes, via programs like Express Entry
Occupation List	Occupation must be on a skilled occupation list	No specific occupation list, but LMIA may be required

3. Student Visa: List of Australian vs. Canadian Visas

Australia

Subclass 500 student visas have the following conditions :

• Give information about the educational training provider.
• Give residential information in Australia.
• Complete course requirements.
• Health assurance.

Canada

Canadian student visas have the following conditions:

• Applicant must give a letter of acceptance from DLI (designated learning institution)
• A valid passport from an eligible country.
• Proofs of funds to facilitate the needs in Canada.

Thus, this is a time to shape a bright future in a foreign country. So, fill out the form from our website and make your dream of studying abroad come true.

Criteria	Australia	Canada
Visa Name	Subclass 500 Student Visa	Study Permit
Eligibility	Enrolment in a full-time course at an Australian institution	Enrolment in a designated learning institution in Canada
Purpose	Study at a recognized institution	Study at a recognized Canadian institution
Duration of Stay	Up to 5 years	Depends on course
Cost	AUD 650	CAD 150
Processing Time	1-3 months	1-3 months
Work Rights	48 hours per fortnight (with the option to work full-time during breaks)	20 hours per week during term, full-time during breaks
Post-Graduation Visa	Post-Study Work Visa (Subclass 485) available	Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) available
Pathway to PR	Yes, with additional work experience or skills assessment	Yes, through the Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry)

4. Permanent Residency Visa: Australia vs Canada

Australia

Skilled Independent visas (Subclass 189)  have the following:

• For the Points-tested stream, there is no need for a nominator or sponsor. But, the applicant must be under 45 years old to be invited to Australia. 
• In the Hong Kong Stream, a valid Hong Kong or British passport is needed.
• The applicant must have a required skill.

Canada

Permanent residency visas have the following conditions:

• A valid passport.
• Clearance of language proficiency test.
• Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA) for those who completed their education outside Australia.

Criteria	Australia	Canada
Visa Name	Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)	Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker Program)
Eligibility	Based on points (skills, age, English proficiency, work experience)	Points-based (age, education, language skills, work experience)
Purpose	Permanent residency for skilled workers	Permanent residency for skilled workers
Points Requirement	65 points or higher	Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score varies
Stay duration	Indefinite (permanent residency)	Indefinite (permanent residency)
Cost	AUD 4,640	CAD 1,365 (including application fee and right of PR)
Processing Time	8-12 months	6-12 months (for Express Entry candidates)
Pathway to Citizenship	Yes, after four years of residency	Yes, after three years of residency

5. Family Sponsorship Visa: List of Australian vs. Canadian Visas

Australia

Subclass 820 and 801 have the following conditions:

The applicant must have a prospective marriage subclass 300 visa.

• The applicant must be married to the sponsor.
• You must be inside Australia while applying.

Canada

Family sponsorship visas have the following conditions:

• A Canadian citizen must sponsor the applicant.
• Spouses, children, parents, and common-law partners can get the sponsorship.
• Fund proofs.
• Residency information of the home country.

So, hurry up and fill out the form from our website. And enjoy the visit of your loved ones.

Criteria	Australia	Canada
Visa Name	Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801)	Family Sponsorship Program (Spouse/Partner)
Eligibility	Sponsored by an Australian citizen, PR holder, or eligible NZ citizen	Sponsored by a Canadian citizen or PR holder
Purpose	To join a spouse or partner in Australia	To join a spouse or partner in Canada
Duration of Stay	Temporary visa leading to permanent residency	Permanent residency (direct pathway)
Cost	AUD 8,085	CAD 1,080
Processing Time	12-24 months (varies)	12 months
Conditions	Must be in a genuine relationship and meet sponsorship obligations	Genuine relationship with proof of financial and emotional support

Temporary Visas: Australian vs Canadian Visas

Criteria	Australia (Subclass 601 – ETA)	Canada (eTA – Electronic Travel Authorization)
Purpose	Short-term tourism, business visits, visiting family/friends	Short-term travel for tourism, business, or transit
Permitted Activities	Tourism, attending conferences, business meetings	Tourism, business meetings, and transiting through Canada
Work Rights	No (but can engage in unpaid volunteer work)	No, not allowed to work under an eTA
Study	Short courses (up to 3 months)	Short courses (up to 6 months)
Eligible Countries	Eligible countries including the US, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and more	Citizens of visa-exempt countries, such as the UK, Japan, Germany, Australia, and others
Nationality Restriction	Citizens of certain countries like the UK may use an alternate eVisitor Visa (Subclass 651)	US citizens do not need an eTA (but permanent residents of the US do)
How to Apply	Online application, or through a travel agent	Online application (electronic)
Processing Time	Typically processed within minutes, but may take up to 24 hours	Typically processed within minutes, but can take up to a few days
Validity Period	12 months (multiple entries allowed) Maximum Stay per Visit: Up to 3 months (per entry)	5 years or until passport expiry Maximum Stay per Visit: Up to 6 months (per entry)
Application Fee	AUD 20	CAD 7
Travel Entry	ETA required for air and sea entry	ETA is required only for air entry (not required for land or sea entry)

Final Verdict

A list of Australian vs. Canadian visas doesn’t matter when you know what you want. First, you need to know your needs and then decide on a visa option accordingly. Either you want to enroll in the trending course. Or do you want to settle with the family abroad? The article gives you a clear picture of all the visas that both countries are offering. 

So, hurry up and fill out the form related to your visa decided upon on our website. And start the journey of a bright and inspirational future.

FAQS

What is a skilled nominated visa in Australia?

The Australian state selects some foreign skilled workers. Thus, these workers must clear the English skill test and have the required skills. Moreover, the subclass 190 visa is a part of Australia’s general migration program. So, the visa holder can live and work anywhere in Australia forever.

Is Canada better than Australia?

Both Australia and Canada offer golden opportunities to shape the future. There is a strong immigration system in both countries. Also, due to the strong economy, there are higher job ratios. Thus, it depends on the needs of a person and what his/her choice would be.

What is the difference between Canada’s skilled worker program & Australia’s Skilled Independent visa?

Both programs are point-based but differ in criteria and immigration pathways. Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) focuses on people with job offers. Also, they look at work experience and language skills. Australia’s Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is for people without a job offer. Those people who don’t have state nominations can also apply for permanent residency. But, their occupation must be on the Skilled Occupation List. Also, they must meet specific points and requirements.