The skilled independent visa is a points-tested stream visa that allows the invited workers the right to live and work permanently in Australia. Under this visa, you can enrol in Australia’s Medicare, sponsor your relatives to come to Australia, travel to and from Australia for five years and much more.
As a skilled independent visa subclass 189 is a permanent visa, you can live in Australia indefinitely. You will also become a permanent resident the day you are granted this visa. In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about the 189 visa, including the requirements, steps and processing times.
What is a Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189?
The 189 visa Australia is a points-tested stream that allows skilled workers from outside of Australia to come and live in the country. This visa is mainly for people who do not have any designation or sponsorship for the Australian movement.
The visa subclass 189 is a visa that is based on work involvement, aptitudes, qualification and the benefit they can provide to the nation. This visa is useful for those who live outside of Australia and wish to come to Australia for work.
Also read: 7 Benefits of Being a Permanent Resident of Australia
Benefits of a Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189:
Some of the benefits that a skilled independent visa 189 can provide are as follows:
- The visa can allow people to live and work in Australia for a good period.
- With this visa, you can travel and enter any Australian college.
- The skilled independent subclass 189 visa holders are allowed to acquire their relatives.
- Children of Australian PR visa holders who are not adults can be admitted to schools free of cost.
- You can make a profit due to the complimentary medicinal service benefits.
- The visa supports qualified relatives for proper living arrangements in the country.
- You can acquire the best savings benefits and instalments.
- You will be able to apply for Australian citizenship after five years.
Steps Involved in Obtaining a Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189:
The steps that are involved in acquiring the visa subclass 189 are as follows:
You need to be invited to apply for the visa –
You will only be able to apply for this visa after you are invited. You will have to submit an EOI or Expression of Interest to apply for this visa. After you submit the EOI, you might be ranked against the other applicants and invited to apply for the visa. You will be issued the invitation via SkillSelect.
You must have a suitable skills assessment –
If you want your application to be valid, you need to declare that you have a suitable skills assessment during the time of invitation. You will have to provide copies of your skills assessment with the application. You need to acquire your skills assessment three years before the invitation date.
You need to be of a certain age –
You must be under 45 years of age when invited to apply for this visa. You will still be able to apply for this visa if you turn 45 and are invited to apply for this visa. But if you turn 45 after submitting the EOI, you will not be invited to apply for this visa.
You need to score 65 points or more than that –
As it is a points-tested visa, after you submit your EOI in SkillSelect, you will be offered indicative points based on your claims. You cannot apply for this specific visa if you do not acquire 65 points.
You need to have a specific level of English language –
During the time of invitation for the 189 visa, you need to have competent English language skills. You will not need to provide English proficiency test results. However, if you are a citizen of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand, you will not require to provide any English test results.
You must meet the skills requirement –
You need to have your occupation on the list of eligible skilled occupation lists for the skilled independent visa.
You must meet the health and character requirement –
You and your family who applied for this visa need to meet the health and character requirements.
You must pay back your debt to the Australian government –
If you or any of your specific family members are indebted to the Australian government, you need to pay the money back or make arrangements to do so.
You need to sign the Australian values statement –
As an applicant, you need to sign the Australian values statement to confirm that you respect Australia’s life, law and order.
You need to gather all the documents and apply for the visa –
You are required to gather all the documents needed for this visa and attach them with your complete visa application.
Wait for the visa to process until your visa is approved –
After applying for the visa, you need to wait for the processing time. If your visa has been accepted, a statement will be issued, and relevant authorities will inform you. If your visa is denied, you will be informed too, and you can also opt for reviewing the decision made on your visa application.
Also read: Difference between Visa Subclass 189, 190 Visa and 186 Visa
Documents Required for Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189:
To acquire the visa, you must arrange all these documents per the 189 visa requirements. For the visa subclass 189, you will need to have the following documents.
- The visa application form
- Coloured passport-sized photos
- Identification proof
- Educational qualification documents
- English test scores
- Skills assessment report
- Medical check certificate
- A document that proves your skills
- Medical check certificate
- Police certificate
- Character certificate
- Relationship status evidence
- Partner’s English test results
- Documents that show proof of study for the 189 visa Australia
- Other documents that are requested after the visa process
- Reference letter from Employee
Process Times for Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189:
The 189 visa processing time for different streams under the visa subclass 189 is as follows:
Points tested stream –
75% of applications: 68 days
90% of applications: 23 months
New Zealand stream –
75% of applications: 21 months
90% of applications: 27 months
Hong Kong stream –
There are no specific processing times under this visa, but it depends on how well you fulfilled the 189 visa conditions.
How Migration Agents Can Help You With Your Visa?
If you want to go to Australia for work, you need to apply for the skilled independent visa 189. However, to receive the visa, you need to fulfil all the criteria and conditions associated with the visa. To apply for the visa trouble-free, you can contact Immigration Agent Perth who can help you with the visa application process. They will also educate you more about the visa, processing time, documents, and much more.
Also read: Top 5 Reasons to Hire a Registered Migration Agen Perth
