Subclass 191 Hong Kong stream: Functional English and the second visa charge
Check the English evidence for each adult included in your subclass 191 Hong Kong stream application. If an applicant aged 18 or over cannot demonstrate functional English, the Department of Home Affairs may request a second visa application charge. The amount currently listed for this stream is AUD 4,885 per applicable applicant. Wait for the Department’s payment request.
Check each adult’s documents before booking a test
Start with a list of the adults applying and write down the document each person can provide. Home Affairs accepts several routes, including citizenship and a valid passport from a country on its functional English list, qualifying English-medium education and approved test results. An applicant using a Hong Kong SAR or British National (Overseas) passport for the visa stream should check their English evidence separately against the Department’s list.
For education, identify the qualification, the study period and the language of instruction. If a certificate or transcript leaves one of those points unclear, ask the institution whether it can supply supporting records. Compare the completed record with the Department’s requirements before relying on it.
For a test result, check the exact test version, the test date and the applicable score table. The Department’s approved tests changed on 7 August 2025. Its functional English guidance generally ties the result to the 12 months before the visa application and excludes fully online tests. Check the official table for the result you intend to use.
Budget for the application and any later invoice
Keep the charge paid at lodgement and a possible second instalment on separate lines in your budget. For example, if two adults apply and only one lacks acceptable proof, use one possible second charge in your estimate. Home Affairs determines who must pay. If it issues an invoice, check the applicant, amount and due date against the notice before paying through the instructed channel.
The Visa Pricing Estimator excludes the second instalment and other costs. Keep a separate allowance for tests, translations, health examinations and police certificates where applicable. If someone included in the application is approaching 18, check the Department’s instructions for that person before assuming which documents or charges will apply.
For a discussion with 卓越移民 Premiervisa Group, prepare each applicant’s age, English evidence and test date, along with any notice already received from Home Affairs.
Policy checked 12 November 2026.
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