Skilled IndependentVisa (Subclass 189)
The Skilled Independent Visa-189: Gaining Unrestricted Permanent Residence in Australia
The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is the most important avenue of entry in Australia for skilled professionals to enter Australia without the need for employer or state sponsorship. Being a permanent visa, it presents absolute rights and freedom to stay, work, and study anywhere in Australia as soon as it gets approved. For highly skilled applicants planning Australia immigration from India, the Subclass 189 visa constitutes a direct route to an Australian PR. Immigration Pointer can provide specialised help throughout the competitive course of the application process.
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Step-by-Step Application Process for Subclass 189 Visa
Start your journey to Australia through the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is an exciting step towards a new chapter in your life. To make the application process seamless, we've simplified it into easy-to-follow steps.
Preliminary Assessment
Check out eligibility and assess the possible points score through the assistance of Immigration Pointer.
Skills and English language
Complete the online skills assessment and also take an acceptable English language assessment test.
Expression of Interest (EOI) Submission
Submit an EOI in the pool of potential candidates using the SkillSelect system.
Invitation to Apply (ITA)
The Australian government invites applicants in periodic rounds by issuing them with the Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Applications for Visa
When the ITA is received, a complete, correct application should be made within 60 days.
Health and Character Assessments
Undergo mandatory health examinations and provide character clearance as part of the visa application process. These assessments are critical to ensuring you meet Australia's health and character standards.
Advantages of the Subclass 189 Visa for Skilled Workers
The Subclass 189 visa is highly regarded for several reasons.
- Complete Anatomy: The visa holder is not restricted to a particular employer or area, meaning that he/she can choose where they live and where they can work.
- Immediate Permanent Residency: This type of visa grants you permanent residency at the date of grant, with immediate access to such welfare benefits as Medicare.
- Direct Pathway: Unlike the provisional visas, the Subclass 189 unlocks permanent residency without the interim status and smooths out the settlement process.
- Family Inclusion: Applicants can include their dependencies (below the age of 18) and ones partner in the application.
Immigration Pointer to Optimizing Application Success
The Subclass 189 visa program is exceptionally competitive, where minor errors in an Australia PR application can result in significant delays or refusal. The professional Australia visa consultants at Immigration Pointer will ensure that the profile is optimized to the highest possible points and will offer strategic planning and careful management of the documents to apply for a perfect application.
To curb the risks, one is advised to reach our Immigration consultants to check his/her eligibility to apply under the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189).
Key Eligibility Requirements for the Subclass 189 Visa
- Eligible Occupation: The occupation in question must be in the relevant list of skilled occupations.
- Positive Skills Assessment: It is a requirement that there is a positive skills assessment by the nominated occupation to the designated authority.
- Points Test Threshold: An applicant is required to score a minimum of 65 points, but owing to the competitive nature of this visa, a much higher score is usually required to get an invitation.
- Age Limit: Applicants should be below 45 years old when the invitation is issued.
- Proficiency in English: The candidate should have the proficiency of at least competent English. Hat-rack points are increased at the higher levels of proficiency.
- Health and Character Standards: All applicants are required to pass Australia's statutory health and character requirements.
Skilled Independent Visa Categories
Under the Skilled Independent Visa, there are several categories that you can fall into
serves as a critical component in Australia's skilled migration framework. It comprises occupations that are deemed in high demand across various sectors of the Australian economy. The list is regularly updated to reflect changes in labor market needs and priorities.
Individuals aspiring to migrate under the SOL category must possess qualifications and work experience relevant to occupations listed on the SOL. These occupations typically span a wide range of fields, including engineering, healthcare, IT, trades, and education, among others. Prospective migrants must undergo skills assessment by relevant assessing authorities to ensure their qualifications align with Australian standards.
Once deemed eligible, applicants can proceed to lodge their Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Skill Select system, where they showcase their skills, qualifications, and other relevant details. If invited, they can then apply for the Subclass 189 visa, which is a permanent residency visa that does not require sponsorship from employers, state/territory governments, or family members.
The Points-Tested Category provides a pathway for skilled individuals who may not directly qualify under the SOL category but possess desirable attributes that contribute to Australia's economy and society. Applicants under this category are evaluated based on a points-based system, wherein points are awarded for factors such as age, English language proficiency, educational qualifications, work experience, and other relevant criteria.
To be eligible, applicants must score a minimum number of points as specified by the Department of Home Affairs. Factors such as age and English proficiency typically carry significant weight in the points assessment. Additionally, individuals may gain additional points for completing recognized Australian qualifications, obtaining relevant work experience in Australia, or securing a nomination from a state or territory government.
Once applicants achieve the required points threshold, they can submit their EOI through Skill Select. If their profile is selected from the pool of candidates, they may receive an invitation to apply for a skilled visa, such as the Subclass 189 or Subclass 190 (State/Territory Nominated) visa.
The Expression of Interest (EOI) Category serves as the initial step for skilled migrants to signal their interest in applying for a skilled visa. Through the Skill Select online platform, individuals provide detailed information about their skills, qualifications, work experience, language proficiency, and other relevant factors.
Submitting an EOI does not equate to a visa application but rather places the applicant into a pool of candidates from which the Australian government can select potential migrants based on the needs of the labor market and other priorities. It's essential for applicants to ensure that the information provided in their EOI is accurate and up to date, as discrepancies could affect their eligibility for invitation.
Once lodged, EOIs remain valid for a specified period, during which applicants may update their profiles as necessary. Invitations to apply for skilled visas are issued periodically based on the points-based ranking of candidates in the pool. Therefore, maintaining a competitive EOI profile with a high points score increases the likelihood of receiving an invitation to apply for a skilled visa.
The Graduate Temporary Visa (Subclass 485) provides an avenue for international students who have recently graduated from Australian universities to gain valuable work experience in their field of study. This visa has two streams: the Graduate Work Stream and the Post-Study Work Stream.
Under the Graduate Work Stream, graduates with qualifications and skills closely related to occupations on the SOL may be eligible to apply for a visa valid for up to 18 months (about 1 and a half years). This allows them to gain practical work experience in Australia and enhance their prospects of qualifying for permanent residency through skilled migration pathways like the Subclass 189 visa.
On the other hand, the Post-Study Work Stream caters to graduates with higher education qualifications obtained from Australian institutions. Depending on the level of their qualification, graduates may be granted a visa valid for two to four years. This stream provides an opportunity for recent graduates to gain extended work experience in Australia, which may contribute towards their eligibility for skilled migration visas in the future.
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