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For workers looking to migrate from the UK to Australia, the Subclass 189 Visa is a potential option. It differs slightly from the other popular skilled worker visas and offers an alternative route to aspiring movers.
This guide will outline what the Subclass 189 Visa is, its eligibility requirements, and how you would go about applying for one.
What is a Subclass 189 Visa?
The Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) is a work visa that lets you live and work in Australia indefinitely.
This visa is specifically for applicants that are invited to apply, and does not need a nomination like the subclass 190 or 491 visas.
What are the benefits of a Subclass 189 Visa?
A Subclass 189 Visa provides several benefits to skilled workers seeking to move to Australia permanently, including:
- Permanent residency. This visa provides permanent residency status in Australia. This allows you to live and work in Australia indefinitely and access government-funded services such as healthcare and education.
- Choose where you live. Unlike other work visas that tend to require a nomination, this route allows you to choose where you live and work.
- Sponsor family members. You can sponsor eligible family members to move to Australia as permanent residents.
- Travel. A Subclass 189 Visa allows you to travel in and out of Australia as many times as you like during the validity period of your visa.
For more information, visit our Skilled Migration Visas blog.
Eligibility requirements.
To be eligible for a Subclass 189 visa, you must meet the following requirements:
Skilled occupation
You must have a skilled occupation that is listed on the relevant state or territory skilled occupation list. The occupation must be relevant to your skills and qualifications.
Check out our Skilled Occupation List blog for more information.
Skill assessment
You must have your skills assessed by a relevant assessing authority. The assessing authority will determine if your skills and qualifications meet the Australian standard for your nominated occupation.
Points test
You must score at least 65 points on the points test to be eligible for a Subclass 189 visa. Points are awarded based on factors such as age, English language proficiency, skilled employment, education, and other relevant factors.
Check out our Australian Point System blog for more information.
English language proficiency
You must meet the English language proficiency requirements for the visa. This can be demonstrated through a recognised English language test such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE.
Age
You must be between the ages of 18 to 45 to be eligible for a Subclass 189 Visa.
Health and character requirements
You must meet the health and character requirements for the visa. This includes providing evidence of good health and character.
The Australian Immigration Experts
Our Australian emigration team are:
- Registered with the Australian government
- Dual-qualified in Australian and British law
- Experts in visa appeals and complex applications
Application process.
The application process for a Subclass 189 Visa involves several stages:
- First, you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect.
- Next, once the EOI has all of your relevant information, you’ll be given an automatic calculation of points based on your qualifications and skills.
- After submitting an EOI, you will be ranked against other intending applicants. This will determine if you will receive an invitation. Invitations are issued regularly through SkillSelect.
- Once you receive the invitation, you must now apply for the visa within 60 days. This is accomplished again via SkillSelect.
After you lodge your visa application, you may be asked to provide additional information, or simply receive a visa outcome.
How much does a Subclass 189 Visa cost?
The cost of a Subclass 189 Visa is AUD 4,240 for the main applicant. This equates to roughly £2,250.
Additional fees will apply for extra dependants included in the application.
How long does the visa take to process?
The processing time for a Subclass 189 Visa varies depending on the volume of applications received by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
On average, it takes between three to six months to process this visa application. However, this timeframe can be longer if the Department of Home Affairs requires more information or if there are delays in processing the application.
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