Skilled Independent Visa

Skilled Independent Visa 

The subclass 189 visa is a permanent residence visa for points-tested skilled workers who want to work and live in Australia. This visa is intended for indviduals who are not sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government.

To be able to apply for this visa you need to submit an expression of interest and then be invited through SkillSelect to apply.

You can be in or outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted.
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General Skilled Migration

General Skilled Migration is a Points Based Migration Programme. Before you can apply, you need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect and meet the requirements for the visa subclass you wish to express an interest in. SkillSelect is the Department of Home Affairs’ online system for assisting with the skilled migration process.

Once you have submitted your EOI, you will need to wait to be invited to apply for a skilled migration visa. The invitation to apply for a skilled migration visa will be valid for 60 days. Each visa has different eligibility requirements that you must also meet.

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A. Skilled-Independent (Permanent) visa (subclass 189) – Points Tested Stream

This visa is for applicants with relevant work skills who want to work and live in Australia. You can be inside or outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted. It is a permanent visa and lets you stay in Australia indefinitely.

To be eligible to apply for this visa you need to be invited. In order to be invited you must score at least 65 points against points test factors.

If invited, at the time of invitation to apply for this visa, you must have:

• nominated an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list.
• obtained a skills assessment for that occupation.
• be aged under 45 when invited to apply
• achieved the score specified in your letter of invitation based on the factors in the points test
  competent English.

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You will also need to meet certain health and character requirements.

What you Can Do

This is a permanent residence visa. It lets you and any family members who have also been granted this visa:

• stay in Australia indefinitely
• work and study in Australia
• enrol in Medicare, Australia’s scheme for health-related care and expenses
• apply for Australian citizenship (if you are eligible)
• sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
• travel to and from Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted (after that time, you will need a resident return visa or another visa to return to Australia)

Applicant Requirements

You are eligible to apply for this visa if you have been invited. At the time we invite you to apply for this visa, you must have:

• nominated an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list
• obtained a suitable skills assessment for that occupation
• not yet turned 50 years of age
• achieved the score specified in your letter of invitation based on the factors in the points test.
• at least competent English
• meet health and character requirements

B. Skilled-Independent (Permanent) visa (subclass 189) – New Zealand Stream 

This vis pathway is temporarily closed until 1 July 2023.

C. Skilled-Independent (Permanent) visa (subclass 189) – Hong Kong Stream

This visa lets eligible Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders who have demonstrated commitment to Australia, live and work in Australia permanently.

• ​​​​​​​​​​​You must hold a Hong Kong passport or a British National (Overseas) passport
• You must meet certain visa requirements
• You must meet certain residence requirements