Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

To be eligible for this visa, you must:

1. Meet the pass mark in the skilled migration points test, which is currently 60 points. You can be awarded points for a number of factors, most commonly, your age, your educational qualifications, your work experience and your English language ability, though points are also awarded for a range of other factors. We will advise you as to whether you meet the points test after our initial discussion with you
2. Be aged between 18 and 44 (inclusive)
3. Nominate an occupation on the MLTSSL
4. Pass a “Skills Assessment” in your nominated occupation with your relevant skills assessment authority
5. Sit an English language exam to show that you have “Competent” English or higher, meaning you must score 6.0 or more on all four components of the IELTS test, or an equivalent score on another English language test accepted by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP)
6. Meet health and character requirements

All applicants must pass a skills assessment to be eligible for this visa. The skills assessment authority which will assess your skills depends on what occupation you are applying under.

The eligibility criteria for each skills assessment authority is different.  For the majority of skills assessment authorities, the assessment will be based on the applicant’s qualifications and work experience, though in some cases English language ability and registration in Australia is required.

The visa is by invitation only. You must first lodge an “Expression of Interest” with the DIBP and then be invited to apply for the visa by the DIBP.

You can lodge the visa either inside or outside of Australia. If you lodge the application in Australia, you will be granted a Bridging Visa which will allow you to stay in Australia until your visa application is finalised. If you lodge your application in Australia, you must be in Australia for the visa to be granted.

If you lodge your application outside of Australia, you must be outside of Australia for the visa to be granted.

The application process for a skilled independent visa subclass 189 is fairly straightforward, but it is essential not to make any mistakes in any area because this may hinder the application, and Australian Home Affairs may ask you to start again. The first step is to express your interest by submitting an EQI through the Australian SkillSelect system. From here, your skills, qualifications, and work experience will be assessed to determine if you are a good fit.

If you are deemed appropriate for a skilled independent visa subclass 189, you will then receive an invitation, allowing you to move on to the next part of the application process. The next stage in the skilled independent visa application process is to fill out the application form and gather all necessary documentation to support your application. Then, it is time to wait while the Department of Home Affairs assesses your application and gets back to you.

The Immigration lawyers are a team of lawyers who are experts in everything related to Australian visa applications. If you are considering applying for your skilled independent visa subclass 189, we can provide support and guidance throughout the entire process to ensure everything is perfect. Without the help of a visa lawyer, it is likely that something will be wrong with the application, resulting in additional charges, starting over again, or being denied.

Our experienced immigration lawyers have handled many successful Skilled Independent Visa applications. We will ensure your application is given the best prospects of success.

We offer all our prospective clients an initial meeting, during which we will thoroughly explain the law surrounding this visa to you and inform you of the process moving forward.

To organise an initial consultation with us, please contact one of our experienced immigration lawyers on (02) 9590 3987.

What is the difference between 189 and 190 skilled independent visas?

Though both visas are for skilled workers, the skilled independent visa subclass 189 does not require sponsorship.

Can I apply for both 190 and 189

It is possible to apply for both, but you must meet the eligibility criteria.

Which visa is better: 491 or 190?

The 190 visa offers permanent residency, whereas the 491 visa is a provisional regional visa. To determine which is best for you, we recommend seeking the help of an expert to assess your eligibility.