Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189

What Is Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189?

The subclass 189 visa is designed for invited workers and eligible Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders. These workers need to have the required skills so that they can live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.

What the Subclass 189 Visa Allows You to Do in Australia?

Here are the entitlements you will enjoy after you become a visa 189 holder:

• Travel in and out of Australia.
• Study and work in Australia.
• Get access to the public healthcare system of Australia, known as Medicare.
• Apply for Australian citizenship once you are eligible.
• You can also sponsor your eligible relatives for permanent residence.

Skilled Independent Visa 189 Eligibility Criteria

Let us have a quick look at the general eligibility criteria for all streams:

• You must have at least competent English at the time of invitation.
• The health and character requirements specified by the DHA have to be met successfully.
• Any outstanding debts you or your family members have to the Australian Government must be paid back before the visa application is made.
• An Australian Values Statement has to be signed, which confirms that you will respect the Australian way of life.
• Your immigration history is considered by the DHA while making a decision. Hence, you might not be eligible for this visa if a visa was refused or cancelled previously.

There are 3 streams of the skilled independent visa 189. Let us understand the eligibility criteria of these streams separately:

1. Points Tested Stream

In case you are in Australia at the time of visa application, you have to hold one of the following:

A substantive visa

Bridging visa A – BVA – (subclass 010)

Bridging visa B – BVB – (subclass 020)

Bridging visa C – BVC – (subclass 030)

• You must have held either the subclass 491 or the subclass 494 visa for at least 3 years at the time of visa application.
• You have to be invited by the Australian Government to apply for this visa. You can submit an expression of interest (EOI) to apply for this visa.
• Your occupation must be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations for the Subclass 189 Point-Tested stream.
• You must undergo a suitable skills assessment at the time of invitation for your application to be valid.
• You must be under 45 when you are invited to apply for the visa. You can still apply for the visa if you turn 45 after the DHA invites you to apply.
• You have to score 65 points or above in the assessment to be able to be invited for this visa.

2. New Zealand Stream

This stream of the 189 skilled visa has been permanently closed to new applications since 1 July 2023.

3. Hong Kong Stream

• You must hold an eligible visa at the time of visa application, and you must have held that visa for at least 4 years before that date.
• You must hold a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport at the time of your visa application.
• You must have been a resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least 4 years immediately before the date of application.
• You must have successfully followed the conditions of your eligible visa when in Australia.

189 Visa Document Requirements for Skilled Independent Applicants

Here is a document checklist as per the 189 visa requirements:

• Identity documents, such as a passport and a national identity card (if you have one).
• An invited Expression of Interest (EOI) by an Australian state.
• Evidence of claimed points.
• A valid skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation at the time of invitation.
• Evidence of employment, such as employment contracts, payslips, etc.
• Copies of degree certificates.
• Academic transcript.
• Health and Character Documents.
• Australian Federal Police clearance, if relevant.
• Overseas police certificates for countries lived in for over 12 months.
• Meet the health assessment.
• Complete Form 80.
• In case you are adding your family members as dependents to your visa application, add a marriage certificate, identity documents, such as children’s birth certificates.
• Evidence of a de facto relationship, such as joint bank account statements, etc.

189 Visa Conditions You Must Comply With

The 189 visa conditions you have to strictly adhere to are:

• The 189 visa requires strict compliance with all conditions mentioned in your visa grant notice.
• You must maintain lawful visa status throughout the required compliance period.
• Residency or work obligations must be met as it is outlined in your grant letter.
• Always take a proper look at your visa grant notice carefully to confirm the exact timelines and conditions.

Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 Application Process

Here are the steps you need to follow to have a successful 189 skilled visa application:

• Preparing Documentation: Gather and arrange all necessary documents, such as skills assessment, English language test outcomes, and evidence of work experience.
• Submitting an EOI: A profile has to be created in SkillSelect and an Expression of Interest has to be submitted.
• Receiving an Invitation: Wait for an invitation from the DHA to apply for the visa.
• Lodge Your Application: You have to complete the online visa application within 60 days of receiving the invitation.
• Pay Visa Fees: Make sure that adequate fees are paid to avoid delays in processing.
• Await Processing: Track the status of your application while ensuring compliance with any additional requirements.

189 Visa Processing Time & Cost – Current Timeframes

To understand the 189 visa processing time better, have a look at the table given below:

Both operational streams of the 189 visa cost AUD4910.00.

Why Choose Ritam Global for Your Skilled Independent Visa 189?

We at Ritam Global are with you while you understand your goals and treat your journey with care and clarity. We guide you at every stage of the journey, providing you with transparent communication and practical planning.

As a trusted migration consultant Perth that clients rely on, we help you to concentrate on accuracy, strategy, and timely support. We believe in simplifying complicated procedures for you while you focus on your skills, helping you move forward with confidence and informed decisions. Here’s how we can be of more use to you:

1. Personalised Guidance at Every Step

We assess your profile carefully and make sure that each action is aligned with your long-term migration goals.

2. Clear Communication and Transparency

We keep you informed throughout the process, explaining requirements and progress in simple and understandable terms.

3. Strong Knowledge of Migration Processes

Our visa agent Perth stays updated with the current procedures and guidelines of the DHA. This helps you to move ahead and improve the readiness of your application at every stage.

4. Dedicated Support and Accountability

We are always there by your side, responsible, and committed to help you out. With us, you feel supported from planning through final submission.

Get Professional Assistance for Subclass 189 Visa Application

Consulting professionals for your Subclass 189 visa application helps you to step forward with clarity and confidence. With expert guidance, each step becomes more organised and manageable, reducing the likelihood of unnecessary delays or mistakes. Our experienced immigration agent Perth WA focuses primarily on accurate documentation, submissions, and practical mentorship. This level of support allows you to stay informed and prepared while navigating the process of visa application with greater assurance.