Australia Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
The visa subclass 189 is a permanent General Skilled Migration visa which needs no sponsorship from a State/Territory Government or even a relative in Australia. Visa 189 is a permanent residency visa that provides you as well as your associated family members a total right to live plus work anywhere in Australia for undefined period of time. Visa Qualification Criteria The subclass 189 visa operates under a points-based system, necessitating the fulfilment of specific prerequisites to satisfy the eligibility benchmarks. In addition to receiving an invitation to apply and surpassing the skill threshold, there exist several conditions related to age, language proficiency, health, and character that must be fulfilled:- Receipt of Invitation: You must secure an official invitation to initiate the application process.
- Skills Assessment: Undergo an appropriate evaluation of your skills to validate their relevance.
- Age Requirement: You should be below 45 years of age at the time of receiving the invitation.
- Points Achievement: Attain a minimum of 65 points or more based on the designated criteria.
- English Proficiency: Demonstrate a proficient command of the English language.
- Skills Fulfilment:Satisfy the stipulated skills prerequisites for the chosen visa category.
- Health Criteria: Meet the specified health standards as outlined by the immigration regulations.
- Character Evaluation: Fulfil the character assessment criteria as stipulated by the authorities.
- Absence of Government Debt: Ensure the absence of any pending government-related debts.
- Australian Values Pledge: Commit to signing the statement endorsing Australian values.
- Clean Visa Record: Do not have a history of visa cancellations or rejected applications
Overview of PR Process To Apply:
- Check: Your current occupation should be listed in the skilled occupation list, have at least 65 points, should also adhere to other eligibility requirements
- Submit: Submit an expression of interest or EOI via SkillSelect
- Wait: Wait to receive an invitation to apply for the visa
- Gather: Gather all the required documents
- Apply: Apply for the visa within a period of 60 days of receiving the invitation
Eligibility Requirements to Apply for this Visa
1. Should have an invitation to apply
You can apply for this visa only if an invitation to apply will be sent to you. Before you apply, an expression of interest (EOI) is required to be submitted, which would allow you to be ranked against other applicants in the pool. The invitation to apply is issued on a regular basis through SkillSelect.
2. Complete a suitable skills assessment
You should have suitable skills assessment done while applying for the visa. The skill assessment must be conducted within 3 years before the date of receiving an invitation to apply. Further, if the skills were assessed based on the qualification received in Australia while holding a students’ visa, then the qualification should be received from studying a course recognized on CRICOS.
3. Age
Your age must be under 45 on the date when an invitation to apply will be sent to you. However, you can also apply for this visa if you turn 45 after an invitation to apply be sent across to you. However, if you turn 45 before an invitation to apply be sent to you, then an invitation to apply will not be sent to you.
4. Score 65 points or above
Since it is a points-tested visa, after submitting your EOI via SkillSelect, an indicative points score would be given to you based on the claims made in EOI. When you will receive an invitation to apply, it would state the total number of points that you must obtain when your application would be assessed to grant the visa. This score however, can be higher than 65 points, depending on the claims made in the EOI.
5. English Proficiency
You should have competent level of English when you will receive an invitation to apply.
6. Meet skilled occupation requirement
It is important for your nominating occupation to be listed on the eligible skilled occupation list, which is Medium and Long-term Skills Strategic List (MLTSSL) of Australia for this particular visa type. In case, the specific occupation is not listed in the MLTSSL, then it is required to select a closely related occupation. Further, it is required to have a minimum three years work experience in your nominating occupation.
7. Meet suitable health requirement
You and your family members who are applying for this visa must meet all relevant health requirements. If needed, family members who are not accompanying the main applicant to might also require to meet the health requirement.
8. Meet character requirement
You along with the family members aged 16 years and above who are applying for this visa should meet the character requirement of the Australian government. In addition, those family members who aren’t accompanying the main applicant to Australia also required to meet the character requirements.
9. Pay back the debt to the Australian Government
If you or any of your family members own any outstanding debt to the Australian Government, then it should be paid back or arranged to be paid back.
10. Get the Australian vales statement signed
If your age is 18 years or above, the you must:
Abide with the explanations given in Life in Australia booklet Confirm that you will obey the Australian laws and respect the Australian way of living, by signing the Australian Values Statement. Benefits of Subclass 189Benefits of Subclass 189
The Australia visa subclass 189 offers advantages of Australian permanent residence for you and your family. You get to:
- Work and live in Australia permanently
- Chance to study in Australia
- Enrol in Medicare, Australia’s nationalized healthcare program
- Chance to apply for Australian citizenship
- Sponsor relatives for permanent residence
- Travel all through and out of Australia as you please