Subclass 189 – Independent Skilled Visa

Independent Skilled Visa Subclass 189 is for skilled employees invited by the Department of Home Affairs. It allows eligible skilled employees to work in Australia permanently. Skilled and experienced employees can live and work in any region of Australia.

It’s a points-tested stream. Skilled workers have to score 65 points in the points test to obtain visa 189. However, the applicant does not need any nominator or sponsor to apply for this visa.

Process

Applicant must go through the following process:

Check the eligibility to apply for Subclass 189 by selecting the relevant occupation from skilled occupation list, skill assessment and calculating points of interest in SkillSelect
Submit the EOI if points of Interest are at least 65
Get the invitation to apply for the visa
Apply within the 60 days of invitation

Processing Time

75% of applications take 20 months to get processed.
90% of applications take 31 months to be finalized.

The Department of Home Affairs processes all applications for Australian visas. You must submit complete documents with your visa application. Applications with incomplete documents might take longer to process.

Eligibility

The Department of Home Affairs has set a few eligibility requirements for Independent Skilled Visa Subclass 189.

Applicants for visa 189 must;

Have occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list
Obtain a suitable skills assessment for the occupation you’ve chosen
Be invited by Home Affairs to apply for visa 189 ( Reasons Why You’re Not Invited For Subclass 189)
Satisfy the points test by scoring at least 65 points
Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI)
Be under 45 years of age while applying for Independent Skilled Visa 189
Have at least competent English
Meet health and character requirements
Have paid all debts back to the Australian Government. Or you must have arranged to pay your debts back.
Sign the Australian Values Statement to confirm that you’ll respect Australia’s way of living.

Cost

Independent Skilled Visa 189 costs around AUD 4,115. There’re separate charges for anyone applying along with the main applicant.

Stay Period

Subclass 189 is a permanent visa. It allows you to stay and work in Australia permanently.

Benefits

Independent Skilled Visa 189 offers amazing benefits to skilled employees in Australia. Being an Independent visa holder, you can;

Work in the renowned organizations of Australia
Enroll in a course study
Sponsor your eligible relatives to apply for permanent residence in Australia
Apply for Australian citizenship if you’re eligible
Travel from and to Australia for 5 years
Enroll in Medicare, a public Healthcare scheme of Australia

Virtual Counselling

Subclass 189 – Independent Skilled Visa