Skilled Independent Visa

The Skilled Independent Visa is a type of visa that allows highly skilled professionals to immigrate to Australia permanently. Applicants must meet certain criteria, such as having a skilled occupation and scoring a minimum number of points on a points-based system.

How do I get this visa? 

You must be invited to apply for this visa. To be considered for an invitation, you must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).

To be eligible to submit an EOI:

• You must be under 45 years of age (and still be when you receive your invitation).
• Your occupation must be on the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) – Points-tested stream Skilled Occupations list.
• You must pass a Skills Assessment to prove you are genuinely qualified and experienced in that occupation.
• You must attain a points score of 65 or above (and retain this score until you receive your invitation). Your points score is determined by several factors including your English level, employment skills and history, qualifications and education.
• You must have passed an approved English language test no more than three years before receiving your invitation, or by being a citizen (or hold a valid passport) of Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, or the United States.
• You must meet health and character requirements.
• You must not have outstanding debts to the Australian government.
• You must not have had a visa refused or cancelled previously. If so, you may not be able to apply.

How to apply for this visa

To apply for a Skilled Independent Visa, you must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, which is an online system used by the Australian government to manage skilled migration applications. Once you have received an invitation to apply, you can submit your visa application, which typically includes providing evidence of your qualifications, work experience, language proficiency, and other relevant factors that contribute to your points score. You must also undergo health and character checks as part of the visa application process.

What are the features and benefits of this visa? For you and your family.

The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a popular pathway for skilled workers who want to migrate to Australia. Here are some of its features and benefits:

Features:

• The subclass 189 visa is a permanent residency visa that allows you and your family to live and work in Australia indefinitely.
• You do not require a sponsor or nomination from an employer or a family member to apply for this visa. It is entirely based on your own merit and qualifications.
• The visa is points-tested, meaning you need to score a minimum of 65 points to be eligible to apply. Points are awarded based on various factors such as age, education, work experience, English language proficiency, and others.
• This visa allows you to study and work in Australia without any restrictions. You can also enroll in Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare.
• After holding this visa for four years, you may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.

Benefits:

• The subclass 189 visa provides you and your family members with access to world-class education, healthcare, and lifestyle opportunities in Australia.
• You can sponsor eligible family members to migrate to Australia and join you on this visa. This includes your partner, dependent children, and other dependent relatives.
• As a permanent resident, you and your family members can travel in and out of Australia as often as you want.
• You can also apply for other visas such as the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) or the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Overall, the Skilled Independent visa provides a fantastic opportunity for skilled workers to migrate to Australia, settle down, and enjoy the benefits of permanent residency.