General Skilled Migration Visas

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General Skilled Migration Visas

Subclass 189

Overview

The Subclass 189 Visa, or Skilled Independent Visa is an Australian immigration pathway for skilled workers wishing to reside permanently in Australia without employer sponsorship. This visa is designed for individuals with skills on Australia’s Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), indicating high demand in the labor market.

To qualify, applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, achieving a minimum score in the points-based assessment, which evaluates factors such as age, work experience, education, and English proficiency. Successful candidates can then apply for the visa, allowing them and their immediate family members to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.

Benefits

  •  Access to Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system.
  •  Opportunity to apply for Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements.

Streams

  1. Points-tested stream
  2. New Zealand stream
  3. Hong Kong stream

Essential criteria for applicants of points-tested stream

  • Must nominate an occupation from the Department’s Medium & Long-term Strategic Skills List.
  • Must score at least 65 points in their EOI to satisfy the Department’s points test criteria.
  • Must be less than 45 years of age at the time of invitation.
  • Must have a positive skills assessment from the relevant skills assessing authority for their nominated occupation.
  • Must have at least competent English or higher.
  • May be inside or outside Australia at the time of application.
  • Must submit an EOI through SkillSelect and receive an invitation to apply for the Subclass 189 Visa.
  • Must meet health and character requirements.

New Zealand stream

  • This stream is permanently closed for new applications from 1 July 2023.
  • The Department will continue to process applications made before 10 December 2022.
  • Partners and children may continue to be added to New Zealand stream applications lodged before 10 December 2022.

Essential criteria for applicants of Hong Kong stream

  • Must hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas Passport.
  • Must be usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of 4 years before applying.
  • Must hold either a Temporary Work (skilled) (subclass 457), Temporary Shortage Skills (subclass 482), or Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa as the primary applicant, granted on or after 9 July 2020.
  • Must have complied substantially with the conditions of the above visa.
  • May be inside or outside Australia at the time of application.

Benefits of this visa include

  • The ability to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia.
  • Opportunity to sponsor eligible family members to Australia.
  • Multiple travel to and from Australia for the next 5 years.
  • Eligibility for Australian citizenship.

Duration of stay

This is a permanent visa allowing applicants to travel to and from Australia for the next 5 years; eligible applicants can apply for Australian citizenship.

Processing times

This visa subclass can take up to 2-8 months to process.

DISCLAIMER:  The information provided above is general and may not be applicable to your specific situation. We encourage you to contact us for a comprehensive analysis that takes into account your unique circumstances.