Subclass 189 Skilled-Independent Visa

The Subclass 189, a Skilled Independent Visa, is a permanent visa permitting holders to stay as permanent residents. This visa category is designed for skilled workers qualifying for the points test and are not sponsored by family or an employer. Eligible New Zealand citizens also qualify for a Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) under the New Zealand stream.

Reasons To Apply for a 189 Independent Visa

The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is one of the most in-demand visas in Melbourne, owing to the benefits attached to it. A Skilled Independent Visa holder can stay in the country for an indefinite period and can study or work in their respective area during the stay. The holder is also eligible to enrol for the national healthcare scheme.

The 189 Independent Visa holder can travel in and out of the country frequently for five years from the date the visa was granted. This visa type also allows the holder to sponsor a relative for permanent residence or citizenship if they’re eligible. To know more about the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa, contact the 189 Visa consultants at Southern Stone today.

189 Visa Requirements

The eligibility requirements for the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa are:

A Relevant Occupation

The applicant’s occupation must be included in the skilled occupation list. Moreover, the applicant must justify that they possess the right skills and qualifications to work in a relevant occupation by clearing the skill assessment conducted by the approved assessing authority.

Point Test and Age Criteria

The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa requires the applicant to qualify for the points test and earn a minimum of 65 points. The applicant must not be more than 45 years of age to secure an invitation to apply for the Subclass 189 visa.

Expression of Interest (EOI)

To apply for the 189 Skilled Independent Visa, the applicant must submit an Expression of Interest, or EOI, to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). The EOI application will be evaluated against other applications, and if there’s a suitable occupation position available, the applicant may be invited to apply for the Subclass 189 visa. On receiving the invite, the applicant must apply for the visa within 60 days.

Health and Character Requirements

To obtain the Subclass 189 visa, the applicant must fulfil all health and character requirements. Evidence of competency in English must be submitted too.

Understanding the complete requirements of the 189 Skilled Independent Visa may be difficult. Hence, we recommend you contact our 189 Visa immigration agent to improve your visa chances. Southern Stone specialises in helping clients apply for the Subclass 189 Visa and improving their chances of securing the visa. We also offer other categories of general skilled migration like skilled nominated visa 190, and graduate work visa 485.

Procedure for Applying for the 189 Skilled Independent Visa

Applying for the Subclass 189 visa begins with determining if the applicant qualifies for the said visa category. The applicant, along with the family members mentioned in the application, must hold a valid passport. If necessary, they may acquire a new passport.

For attaining the Subclass 189 visa, a family includes:

Partner

The partner of the applicant can be a spouse or de-facto partner of the same or opposite sex. The applicant needs to prove their relationship with the other person as partners. Also, the applicant and the partner must not live separately permanently. The partner must be 18 years of age or above.

Children

Children included in the Skilled Independent Visa application form must be the applicant’s children or stepchildren. They are eligible for the visa if:

• They are below the age of 18 years
• They are above 18 years of age but below 23 years of age and dependent on the applicant or their respective partners
• They are 23 years of age or above and have a physical or cognitive disability, which makes them dependent on their parents
• They meet the health requirements defined by the DHA

Acquire Relevant Documents

The applicant must arrange all relevant documents for the Skilled Independent Visa before applying for the visa. All documented evidence must prove that the application is being truthful, as mentioned in the application. If the documents submitted aren’t clear, the application may be rejected. The application compiling procedure is tedious and requires expert knowledge. Hence, it is recommended to communicate with the 189 Visa specialists at Southern Stone to process your application efficiently.

Submit Your Application

Once all the documents are collected, the application form is to be filled with the DHA, and the requisite fees are to be paid in full. On submitting the application form successfully, the applicants receive a notification from the DHA stating that their application is being processed.

The applicant can submit the application to be processed from any corner of the world. There is no rule on the applicant being present within or outside of the country while submitting the form.

The outcome of the visa processing is shared in details with the applicant. In case of rejection, detailed information on the reasons for the refusal is provided. If you require help in obtaining a Subclass 189 visa, speak to Southern Stone today. We also offer partner visa, skilled independent visa, skilled nominated subclass 190 visa, subclass 186 and more.

Time Taken to Process the 189 Independent Visa

The usual processing time for a Subclass 189 visa is:

• Approximately 9 months for 75% of applications
• Approximately 19 months for 90% of applications

However, the processing time of applications may change depending on factors like:

• The application form not being filled completely
• The DHA considering cross-checking the family relationship documentary evidence
• The evidence of sponsorship requiring further clarification
• The applicant having any debt to be cleared to the Australian government
• The DHA find its necessary to confirm the skilled assessment test results

Moreover, the time taken for the Subclass 189 Independent Skilled Visa processing relives on the complication of the visa background.

Contact Us Today

Southern Stone is one of the renowned 189 Visa consultants in Melbourne. We have helped many applicants to secure positive results on the Subclass 189 visa. We have a team of visa consultants offering expert advice on processing the visa subclass 189 in Melbourne. Contact us now or call us on 1300 188 999.