Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

Subclass 189 Visa Streams

The following are the details of these three streams:

Points tested stream

This visa allows the workers with necessary skills to live in Australia permanently. They will not need a sponsor or nominator but they have to fulfill the age criteria of being under 45 years of age.

• You will be able to work and study in the country as well as enroll in the health care scheme of Australia.
• You will be able to come and live with you and also have access to unrestricted travel for a period of 5 years.
• If you fulfill all the necessary criteria, you can also become an Australian citizen.
• It is a permanent visa with which you can indefinitely stay in the country. It will grant you the permanent residency.
• The visa costs around AUD 4765.00 for the main applicant.
• You can be in or outside the country at the time of applying and when the department makes a decision on your application.

New Zealand stream

This stream will allow the eligible New Zealand citizens to live in work in country permanently. They need to demonstrate their commitment and contribution towards Australia.

• With this visa, you can stay in Australia permanently as well as work and study there.
• You can enroll in the public health care scheme; sponsor your relatives to come to Australia.
• Have access to unrestricted international travel.

Hong Kong stream for 189 visa Australia

This stream allows the eligible Hong Kong or British national passport holders to live and work in the country. It is a permanent visa and the applicants demonstrated commitment towards Australia.

• It will allow unrestricted travel internationally for a period of 5 years.
• The visa allows you to sponsor your relatives and also become an Australian citizen after becoming eligible.
• For citizenship purposes your PR will start that the department grants you the visa if you are in Australia or when you enter the country on this visa if you are outside Australia.
• The cost of this visa is AUD 4,765 for the main applicant.
• You can apply for this visa from within the country or outside.

Eligibility requirements for the Points Tested Stream of 189 Visa Australia

In order to be eligible for the points tested stream you must hold a substantive visa Or a bridging visa. Your last substances visa should be a subclass 491 or a subclass 494, which you should have held for a period of 3 years at the time of application for 189 visa Australia.

• You must have an invitation to apply. In order to have that, you will first have to submit an expression of interest (EOI) to inform the department that you want to apply for this visa. The invitation to apply is sent regularly through SkillSelect.
• If you want your application to be valid, you must have a Skill Assessment for the nominated skilled occupation.
• You need to be less than 45 years of age when you get an invitation to apply.
• Very important to get a score of 65 points in your skill select. You will not getting invitation to apply do not obtain the score of 65 points.
• You must have English and your occupation should be on the relevant list of eligible skill occupations for the skilled Independent visa Subclass 189 Points tested stream.

Eligibility Requirements for the Hong Kong Stream of 189 Visa Australia

• At the time of filing your application you must hold an eligible visa at least for a period of 4 years prior to the date of applying.
• You should have a valid Hong Kong or a British national passport. You should have lived in the country for at least 4 years continuously before applying for this visa.
• All the visa conditions should have been complied with. Basic knowledge of functional English is also required. Meeting the health and character requirements is necessary and you must cater for a character certificate for yourself and your family members who are above 16 years of age.
• Signing the Australian value statement will be necessary if you are above 18 years of age. This will confirm that you will respect the Australian way of life and obey the Australian laws.
• In case you owe any debt towards the Australian government, make sure that you have paid it all back or have arranged for the same.
• It will be helpful to get is Australia you have not had any previous visa cancellations or refusals.

Eligibility Requirements for the New Zealand Stream

The cost of this visa stream is AUD 4,240 for the main applicant.

• You can only apply for this visa, while being present in Australia and you should be holding a subclass 444 Visa at the time of application.
• This stream is permanently closed to new applications 1st July 2023.

Application process

Before application (Before Submitting EOI)

• You have to submit an expression of interest using the skill select to tell the department that you want to apply for this visa. If you need help with your submission of EOI then you can contact our qualified migration agents at Nexus immigration. Ensure that your occupation should be present on the eligible skilled occupation list (189 Visa Occupation List) for the skilled independent visa Subclass 189.
• You should get your skill assessment already done by the time you are invited to apply for this visa.
• You have to score at least 65 points on your points test for this visa or else you will not receive an invitation to apply.
• You must check that you meet all the other eligibility requirements for the visa.

Submit EOI

This is done through SkillSelect and you can do it from within or outside Australia there is no fee required to be submitted for an EOI because it is not a visa application. After you submit your EOI estimate your points score based upon the claims that you have made in your application.

Receiving an invitation to apply

You will receive an invitation if you score enough points on your EOI and there are places available for your eligible occupation.

Gathering documentation

You need to provide all the required documents to support your claims that you have made in your EOI and show that you meet all other eligibility criteria.

Visa application

You can apply for this visa once you have the invitation. Applicant has to do it online and from within or outside Australia.

You can use your ImmiAccount to file your visa application.

After application

The department will inform you after receiving your application. You may be asked to pay the second installment of your visa fee by the department. The decision on your visa application will be informed to you in writing.

189 Visa Processing time

The actual processing time for this visa may vary due to individual circumstances that can include the following:

• If you have filed a complete application along with all the supporting evidence
• To perform the checks on your supporting information
• Your quick response to any requests for additional information.
• On an average the processing for 189 visa Australia takes around 7-9 months

Documents Required

A lot of documentation has to be completed and evidence provided to start the visa application process. These are as follows:

• Identity documents-These include passport, National identity card, marriage certificate, proof of change of name etc.
• Character documents such as a police certificate.

Documents for skill assessment

Depending upon your visa claim you will need to provide an evidence of the following:

1. English language skills( functional English)
2. Skill assessment points
3. Australian study requirement( must satisfy)
4. Educational qualification
5. Special education
6. Partner skills
7. Professional year in Australia.

Expression of interest (EOI) documents

Whatever you have claimed in your expression of interest SkillSelect, you must satisfy whose claims by providing evidence. You must satisfy the following in the best manner to secure maximum points in assessment:

1. Your age criteria
2. Language skills -proficiency in English language
3. Skilled employment experience (number of years)
4. Educational qualification- type of degree.
5. Specialist education qualification- whether you have a masters degree or not
6. Study requirement in Australia
7. Professional year in Australia
8. Study in regional Australia
9. Partner skills

Why Choose Nexus Immigration Services for 189 Visa Australia?

At Nexus Immigration you will get expert advice on the best visa options. We will analyze your individual circumstances provide you with the comprehensive support throughout the visa application process. We will assist you in everything right from your expression of interest and skill assessment to the visa application filing.

There is a lot of pre planning required for 189 visa Australia. You need to show an expression of interest and get an invitation to apply from the department. A qualified migration agent can help you the whole visa immigration process. At Nexus immigration, we provide you with the first consultation absolutely free. Contact us now to book your slot!!