Benefits of Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

• The applicants will have unrestricted working rights as long as they chosen their relevant nominated occupation.
• The visa holders will get access to Medicare benefits. This will help them to get free and subsidized services in Healthcare.
• This 189 visa allows the holder and their family members to live in the country indefinitely.
• If you have been holding this visa for 4 years and you meet with all the requirements then you will qualify to become a citizen in the country.
• The 189 Visa will also eventually allow you to access all the social security related benefits.
• You will be able to sponsor your family members for a permanent residency in the country.
• You can apply for a job anywhere in the country. You can also change your organization/ company as and when the need arises.

This visa has many long term advantages, therefore, is the most preferred for skilled. These are as follows:

Work rights

The applicants will have unrestricted working rights as long as they chosen their relevant nominated occupation. Since this visa is not sponsored by an employer. Therefore, the applicants can work in any region in the country. They can change jobs as many times without any restrictions.

Healthcare benefits

The visa holders will get access to Medicare benefits. This will help them to get free and subsidized services in Healthcare.

Duration of stay

This 189 visa allows the holder and their family members to live in the country indefinitely. They become the permanent residents of Australia. The visa holder as well as family members can live, work and study anywhere in the country. They need not remain in a particular state or territory.

Citizenship

This visa can you eventually offer a route to gaining Australian citizenship. If you have been holding this visa for 4 years and you meet with all the requirements then you will qualify to become a citizen in the country. After this you will be able to enjoy all the benefits associated with this citizenship.

Social security benefits

The 189 Visa will also eventually allow you to access all the social security related benefits.

Residential status for dependents

You will be able to sponsor your family members for a permanent residency in the country.

Freedom of travel

You, along with your family members will have the freedom to travel in an out of the country multiple times.

Job opportunities and education

You can apply for a job anywhere in the country. You can also change your organization/ company as and when the need arises.

Freedom of selecting your region of migration

Unlike some other visas in Australia you will always have the freedom to choose the state or territory of your choice. You can move country as long as satisfy the conditions mentioned upon your visa.
Therefore, the 189 visa Australia provides an ocean of opportunities for skilled workers who want to settle in the country and have an access to all the benefits high quality life in Australia.

189 Visa Occupation List
 

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) Requirements

• A positive scale assessment is of utmost importance in case of a skilled visa. The occupation that you choose has to be listed on the approved lists of occupations. (MLTSSL and SOL). Main objective of the skill assessment is to ensure that your qualification and work experience align with each other.
• Minimum of 65 points has to be scored in the points test. These points are given on the basis of the following
• Your age, English proficiency, Education, Work experience, Nomination by a family member
• You will have to submit an expression of interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system. The expression of interest shows the Australian government if you are a genuine candidate for the skilled visa189.
• The applicant as well as the family members included in the application has to meet the health requirements clear it certificate.
• It is important that your occupation matches qualification relevant work experience in your field of work. The occupation has to be mentioned on SOL or MLTSSL.
• In contrast to other skilled visas, Australia visa 189 requires no sponsorship the employer or a nomination from the state or territory. 
• You should have no previous refusals or any cancellations to violation of rules. Otherwise, it will affect your eligibility for this visa.
   

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) Processing Time

The processing time for this visa is usually from up to 6 months to one year. There are various factors that can affect the time period of processing of your 189 visa Australia:

• Accuracy and completeness of your application will affect the processing time. Incorrect and missing documents can definitely cause some serious delays.
• Health and character requirements have to be dealt with in a timely manner. If you are not able to produce health examination or a police clearance certificate on time then your application can be delayed.
• The volume of applications in line for 189 Visa can also affect the time period for processing.
• After expressing your EOI and thereafter getting an invitation to apply can cause an effect on the processing time. Good points help you receive the invitation sooner than the applicants with lower points.
• Sometimes the verification checks formed by the authorities can be time consuming. Tests like the Skill assessment need some time to be assessed by the authorities.

Therefore, to avoid any delays in your processing time it is important that you completed skill assessment expression of interest is submitted before time when you a plan to apply for the visa.  Ensure that your point test score is sufficient and get all the health and police checks early as possible. Make sure that you provide any additional information asked by the department on time.

Costs and Fees for 189 Visa Australia

Visa Australia does not need any employer sponsorship or a nomination from the state or territory. The cost of applying for this visa can depend upon various factors:

• Number of applicants (such as primary applicant, spouse, dependent family members). The visa fee for the main applicant is around AUD 4,240.
• Additional services fee (such as health examinations, police checks, language proficiency test etc.)
• English test examination fees are around AUD 350 (depending upon the type of test taken) and translation of documents (If your documents are not in English then you will need to have them translated into the language) going to incur an additional fee.
• Migration agent fees: You may require a qualified professional to help you, depending up on the complexity of your case.

Therefore, it is important that you keep all these factors in mind while budgeting for application for 189 Skilled Visa.
 

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) Application Process

There following steps are involved in the application process for a 189 visa:

Step 1:
The first step is to check your eligibility and ensure if your relevant occupation is on the list ( SOL and MLTSSL). This is the first and foremost step in which as an applicant you must:

• Be below 45 years of age
• Have the occupation mentioned in the MLTSSL or SOL list.
• Having a positive skill Assessment occupation.
• Have a Points test score of at least 65 points.
• Having completed health and character certificates.
• Meet the English language proficiency test requirement.

Step 2:
A positive scale assessment is necessary to be submitted for a 189 visa. In this your qualification as well as your work experience assessment will be done by the appropriate authorities. The idea of this assessment is to verify if you are skills are in line with the Australian standards.

Step 3:
Submitting the expression of interest is the next step.
This document shows that you are a genuine candidate who holds an interest in applying for the 189 visa Australia. In your EOI application you will have to give details about your:

• qualification,
• work experience,
• skills,
• Language proficiency etc.

You submit an EOI through SkillSelect, you will then wait for your invitation to apply. This may take some time. Applicants who have the maximum points are invited first. The minimum point requirement here is 65 points.

Step 4:
The next step is receiving an invitation to apply (ITA). After selection, you will be receiving invitation to apply. Within 60 days of receiving this invitation you will have to apply for the visa application. 60 days window is very important make sure that you follow the timeline. Because, in case your invitation expires you will have to submit the EOI again.

Step 5:
Gathering documentation

Before submitting your visa application you have to ensure that you have gathered all the documentation required for your visa. An exhaustive list of the documents it has follows:

• Passport for the primary applicant as well as dependents (if any)
• A positive Skill Assessment report
• Language proficiency test results
• police clearance certificate for the main applicant as well as the family members
• Health examination reports.
• Proof of relationship with your spouse for example marriage certificate.

Step 6:
Submission of visa application is the last step.

Invitation to apply you can create an ImmiAccount online. You must include all the documents as well as evidences in your visa application accurately. After this you will pay the visa application fees yourself and your dependents (if any).

Once your application is complete, the processing will begin by the department of home affairs. It usually takes from 6 to 12 months for the visa application to get process.

Step 7:
Then you will wait for the approval of your application. During this time, the department may ask you about some additional information. Please ensure that you provide this additional information required by the authorities promptly so as to avoid any delays in your application.

The 189 Skilled Independent Visa allows the applicants to work and live anywhere in Australia. This visa is for skilled workers. Their skills should match with their work experience and qualification. The chosen occupation should be mentioned in the eligible list. After selecting an occupation, the applicants submit an expression of interest followed by receiving an invitation to apply. You can fill the visa application after fulfilling all the requirements. 189 Visa is pretty flexible. It allows you to stay in any region of the country. Therefore, if you want to have a higher standard of living in a progressive society then 189 Visa Australia is the answer for you.
 

Frequently Asked Questions