Australia offers an excellent working environment for local professionals and international workers who have high skills that are mostly required in the country’s job sector.
So, if you think you are highly skilled in a specific occupation, you can consider applying for an Australian work visa. The 189 Visa Australia is an Australian work visa, where you will not need any support from an Australian employer or an eligible relative staying in Australia.
With this visa, you will demonstrate your skills and take yourself to new heights. This blog discusses all the details you need to know about the visa.
What is the Skilled Independent Visa?
The Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 is an Australian points-based visa under the skilled migration program. Overseas employees who a government agency does not nominate can apply for this visa. This 189 Skilled Visa allows the holders to come and stay and work anywhere in Australia. In addition, you can also bring your family members to Australia.
How can this visa help you enhance your work experience?
Go through the following points to understand how this visa can be beneficial to you.
- The most significant benefit of the Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa is that it is a permanent residency visa. It means you can stay in Australia for an indefinite period and work in your desired occupational sector.
- Unlike other skilled migration visas, this visa will not require any nomination for the applicant. So, you will be able to work under any Australian company you like. Nominated employees are bound to work under the employer that nominates them.
- Another significant benefit is that you can work anywhere in Australia. Thus, there will be no state or territory restrictions, which ensures more flexibility in choosing your area of work.
What are the other benefits of the Skilled Independent Visa?
As a 189 Visa holder in Australia, you can enjoy several other benefits too, which are as follows.
- Besides working, you can also study at an Australian educational institute.
- You can sponsor your eligible relatives for their Australian visas.
- As a permanent resident of Australia, you will be allowed to register in Medicare, the national healthcare scheme. Enrolling in Medicare will help you get much cheaper or free treatments at Australian public hospitals.
- If eligible, you can also apply for Australian citizenship.
- In the next five years from the visa grant date, you can travel in and out of Australia as many times as you want.
What are the basic requirements for the 189 Visa Australia?
Following are the basic requirements for the 189 Visa Australia, which every applicant should meet to be eligible.
- Your age must be less than 45.
- For the occupation, you should have the right set of skills.
- You will need to go through a skills assessment conducted by the relevant assessing authority.
- In an Australian workplace, you will need to communicate with your boss and colleagues in English. So, you will also need to demonstrate your fluency in the language.
- It is a points-tested visa. Thus, you will need to score at least 65 points on the test.
- Satisfying necessary health and character requirements is a must.
What is the application procedure?
The Visa Subclass 189 application procedure involves five steps, which must be properly followed to complete the application.
Step 1: Things to do before you apply
For this visa, you will first need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). In this document, you have to explain why you intend to apply for this Skilled Independent Visa 189.
You have to also include several pieces of information in an EOI, including your occupation, points you can obtain, and your skills assessment outcome. Therefore, it is vital to get all these procedures done before you apply for the EOI.
After you submit your EOI, you will have some time to make changes. If the Department of Home Affairs finds your application satisfactory, they will send you an invitation to apply. Only then you can proceed further. If you think you should need help from a registered migration agent, you can hire them at this step.
Step 2: Gather documents
The next step involves gathering and submitting documents according to the checklist. These documents will usually include:
- Identity documents, including a copy of bio-data pages of your passport, national ID card, and a name change document (if applicable)
- Relationship documents, such as marriage, divorce, or separation certificate, depending on your relationship status
- Character documents, including certificates issued by the Police in every country you have lived for at least one year in the last 10 years
- Proof of having competent English skills
- Skills assessment documents
- EOI documents
- Documents that you are taking professional help (form 956 and 956a)
If you include your spouse or partner in the application, they also need to submit some documents, which include:
- Identity documents
- Character documents
- Marriage or de facto partner certificate
- Billing accounts in joint names, joint bank account statements, joint leases, etc. as evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship
- Functional English documents
For dependents under 18, the documents will be:
- Birth certificates
- Statutory declarations
- Form of parental consent
For dependents aged between 18 and 23, you have to submit:
- Identity documents
- Relationship documents, if any
- Documentary evidence that they are financially dependent on their parents
Step 3: Apply for the visa
Within 60 days of receiving the invitation to apply, you have to submit your application. You can apply both onshore and offshore.
Step 4: Things to do after you apply
The Department will let you know if they receive the application. In the period between completing the application and the visa grant, you may go through your health examinations if not done before. The Department may also ask you for additional documents.
Step 5: Visa outcome
You will know your visa outcome through email. If approved, you will receive your visa grant date, visa grant number, and visa conditions. If the application is refused, that information will also come into your email inbox. The Department will mention the reasons behind the refusal and whether you can review their decision.
How Long Does The Visa Take To Process?
Depending on the number of applications submitted at a given time, the Visa 189 takes about 18 to 29 months to process. The case officers will assess each application, and the 189 Visa Processing Time may vary according to several circumstances, including:
- Whether the applicant has submitted all the relevant documents and completed the procedures properly
- How much quickly an applicant responds to any additional query
- Long it takes to undertake necessary health or character checks
- How long it takes to receive documents related to health or police checks
- many slots are available in the skilled migration program
Also Read This Blog:- What Things To Consider When Applying For Bridging Visa? Get Legal Advice
What is the visa application fee?
For the principal applicant, the Skilled Independent Visa 189 application charge is AUD 4115. If any of the applicants cannot have the functional level of English, you will need to pay the second installment of AUD 4890.
Where can you find help?
If you want to obtain a 189 Skilled Visa for Perth or Adelaide, you can consult a top-rated immigration agent Adelaide. Their contacts can be easily found and they can render useful assistance even if you are not present in Australia.
