Skills Independent Visa Subclass 189 

Skills independent subclass 189 visa is one of the most popular and sought-after Australian Skilled Visa that gives the visa holder the right to live and work in Australia indefinitely as an Australian Permanent resident. Unlike other popular visas (Subclass 190, Subclass 491), Subclass 189 does not require you to be sponsored by the State/Territory, family, or employer.

With this visa, you will be entitled to do a job, access healthcare schemes like medicare, study, and benefit from social funds. Moreover, you can also include your eligible family members in your Subclass 189 Application. To compete for this visa, you’ll have to fulfill the Department of Home Affairs Eligibility criteria applicable for Skills independent Subclass 189.

Two Streams of Subclass 189

The subclass 189 visa has two streams: the Points Tested Stream and the New Zealand stream. Both have different requirements and conditions; however, they share the same benefits. Some key points regarding both are as follows:

Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 Points Tested Stream

• This stream lets you reside and work anywhere in Australia upon invitation.
• No sponsor or nominator is required to attain it.
• You must be invited by the concerned authorities for application.
• You must not be older than 45 years to stay eligible. 

Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 New Zealand CItizen Stream

• This stream only allows eligible Newzealand citizens who have shown commitment to Australia through various contributions to live and work in Australia permanently. 
• To stay eligible for it, you must hold a New Zealand Special Category visa, Subclass 444, before application.
• You must have resided in Australia for at least five years at the time of application.

 

Eligibility Criteria for Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 – Points Test Stream

To be eligible for the skills independent subclass 189 Visa, you must satisfy the following conditions:

• Your occupation must be on the Skills Occupation List MLTSSL.
• Applicant must apply under the relevant occupation specified on the 189 Skills occupation list “MLTSSL.
• Must have valid skills assessment with a registered authority for the relevant occupation.
• The applicant must score a minimum of 65 points on the points test system. 
• You must lodge EOI through Skillselect.
• Your age must be between 18 and 45. 
• You must have competent English in language tests, e.g. six band minimum in IELTS. 
• Being invited by the concerned department for visa application. 
• Meeting the health and character requirements. You must not have any criminal history or any fatal illness before and at the time of application. 
• Having no history of cancelled visa or application refusals.

 

Eligibility Criteria for Subclass 189 New Zealand Stream

To apply for the New Zealand stream, the applicant must:

• Have considerable experience in any of the nominated occupations found on Australia’s skilled occupation list. 
• Have gone through skills assessment with a registered authority for the specific occupation. 
• Hold a special category visa, e.g Subclass 444. 
• Submit an EOI through Skillselect.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• To score at least 65 on the points test
• Be under age 50.
• Not be indebted to the Australian government. 
• Sign the Australian Values Statement.

 

Points Test preference

As previously mentioned, when you submit your EOI, you will be compared with the other aspirants, and those with high overall scores will be preferred. The points calculation depends upon factors such as:

• English language ability points
• Academic qualifications points
• Skilled employment points
• Partner points (if applicable)
• And several other factors depending on many factors.

 

Who can you include in your application?

You can include (only) the following family members in your visa application:

• Your partner/spouse
• Your or your partner/spouse’s dependant child
• Your/your partner’s dependant relative

 

Benefits of subclass 189 visa

The subclass189 has many benefits, including:

• Allowing the successful applicant to work and live freely anywhere in Australia, without any legal limitations. 
• With all requirements met, the Subclass 189 visa holder may directly apply to Australian citizenship. 
• One can also sponsor their eligible relatives for permanent residence. 
• Allowing the successful applicant to study any field of his/her liking. 
• Permission to enroll in Medicare and social security funds.
• Permanent residence for an indefinite period while maintaining the requirements.

 

Visa Application Process

Following are the steps to be followed for attaining a subclass 189 Visa:

For Points Tested Stream

To apply in the points tested stream, follow the below-given steps:

• Check your occupation

See if your occupation is enlisted in the list published by the Australian government relevant skilled occupation list MLTSSL. You can only apply for occupations that are in demand. 

• Enure that you meet eligibility requirements

You are only eligible for applying in the points-based stream if you meet the eligibility criteria. 

• Complete skills assessment

Skills assessment should be completed with a positive outcome by the concerned assessing body. Having a maximum number of years assessed against your work experience will add to the overall points table, giving you an edge over other aspirants. 

• Submit EOI (Expression of interest)

You must submit your expression of interest through the Skillselect program. You will be asked a few questions about your work background and experience. The answers will be reviewed by Australian authorities and employers. You will be sent an invitation after a thorough examination of your documents. 

• Lodge application

If you are invited for the Subclass 189 visa, you must lodge your application within 60 days of invitation. Make sure to keep all the supplementary documents ready that are required in the process. 

• Wait for the Visa to be processed.

Visa processing can take a lot of time, even more, if there are any inaccuracies in the documents. We recommend keeping every necessary document in place as the authorities can demand it any moment upon suspicions. 

 

For the New Zealand stream

To apply to the New Zealand stream, follow the following steps:

• Check your occupation

See if your respective occupation is enlisted in the list. You can only apply for occupations specified by the Australian government in the respective stream. 

• Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements

Check the previously mentioned eligibility criteria for the New Zealand stream and see if you catch up with it.

• Complete the skills assessment

Attain an acceptable score in the skills assessment from the concerned authorities. It plays a pivotal role in the application process and will add up to your overall test points. 

• Submit EOI (Expression of interest) through Skillselect

Submit your EOI through the Skillselect program. You will be asked a couple of questions regarding your work background and relevant working experience. Your answers will be checked by both Australian authorities and employers who might be seeking someone in your field to hire. 

• Apply for visa

After nomination or sponsorship, you can apply for Subclass 189 online through the Department of Home Affairs website. 

• Wait for decision

Once the application is lodged, you need to wait until it is processed. It can take a few months.