Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

A) Points tested stream

• be in or outside Australia when making the application
• work and study anywhere in Australia
• sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
• Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) applicants must obtain a minimum of 65 points on the point assessment.
• To apply for this visa, you must submit an expression of interest (EOI) and be invited by SkillSelect.
• Upon receiving an invitation to apply for this visa, you have 60 days to submit your application.
• Once the 189 Visa (Skilled Independent) Visa has been granted, the visa holder and accompanying family members are able to live, work and study in Australia as permanent residents.

Applying for a 189 Visa

• have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
• complete a successful skill assessment for the relevant occupation
• have at least competent English
• score at least 65 points. Calculate your points
• be invited to apply

Eligibility

• OCCUPATION & SKILLS

• Your occupation must be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations.

• POINTS TEST & INVITATION

• You must lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) and be invited to apply for this visa

• You must score a minimum of 65 points to be invited to apply, however, invitations are often issued to applicants with more than 65 points.
• The most recent invitation round outlines the point scores which attracted invitations. There are also some occupations which require more than 65 points to be considered.
• You must meet the points score eligibility at the time you are invited to apply for the visa.
• ENGLISH

• You can provide evidence of at least competent English, however, additional points will be awarded for proficient and superior English scores

• AGE

• You are under 45 when you receive an invitation to apply.

B) New Zealand stream ( Category is closed 1st July 2023)

C) Hong Kong stream

• hold a Hong Kong passport or a British National (Overseas) passport
• You must hold an eligible visa at the time your visa application is made, and you must have held that visa for at least 4 years prior to that date. Multiple visas, including visas of the same subclass, cannot be combined to meet this requirement. An eligible visa is a subclass 457, 482 or 485 visa that was granted to you on the basis of satisfying the primary criteria.
• You must have been usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least 4 years immediately before the date of your application.
• have functional English, or pay the second instalment of the visa application charge when we ask for it.