Several permanent residency visas designed by the Australian Department of Home Affairs allow overseas skilled workers to migrate to this country and find a suitable job. One of these visas is the 189 Visa Australia, letting applicants stay permanently in Australia while enjoying full work rights. A key feature of this visa is that you will not require any sponsorship from any relative or an Australian territory or state government. However, to apply for this visa 189, you must know the other important details, and for that, this blog will be helpful.
What Are the Two Streams of This 189 Visa Australia?
This visa is divided into two streams: Points-tested Stream and New Zealand Stream. Requirements will be different for these two streams, and that is why it will be necessary to be aware of every possible detail.
Points-tested Stream
This Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 is granted to applicants from any country except New Zealand to stay, work, and study anywhere in Australia for an indefinite period. For this stream, you have to meet the following eligibility requirements.
- You should receive an invitation to apply. Note that you have to submit an expression of interest (EOI) first, and after a thorough assessment only, you will be invited by the Department of Home Affairs.
- To prove that you have relevant skills in the nominated occupation, you have to undertake a skills assessment test conducted by a relevant authority.
- This visa is points-based. It means you have to reach the minimum threshold score to be eligible for the 189 Visa Australia. This minimum score is 65 points.
- At least having competent English will be necessary.
- The nominated occupation should be present on the relevant skilled occupations list.
New Zealand Stream
As the name indicates, this stream is designed for citizens of New Zealand who have made significant contributions to the employment sector of Australia. Specific requirements for this stream are as follows.
- First of all, your income should meet the minimum threshold value. Income details for a minimum of 3 years of the past 5 years before making the application must be shown if you have applied on or after 1 July 2021. However, if you applied before this date, income details must be shown for the past 4 financial years.
- When applying for the 189 Visa Australia, you must hold the New Zealand Special Category Visa Subclass 444. If family members are included in the application, they must hold a substantive visa or any bridging visa among BVA, BVB, and BVC.
- You should have lived in Australia for a minimum of 5 years to apply for the 189 Visa. Make sure you are living from or before 19 February 2016.
Note that no points test or English language requirement is involved in this case. It means you must be careful about these things. Aslo apply for 190 visa Australia if you are nominiated by australian government.
What Are the General Eligibility Requirements for 189 Visa Australia?
While there are differences in eligibility requirements for the two streams, some Visa Subclass 189 requirements are common for both. These include the following.
- You must not have any health condition that requires constant support from the community or government.
- You will need to sign the Australian values statement to confirm that you will respect the Australian values while staying here.
- There should be no outstanding debts to the Government of Australia. Even if any one of your family has any debt, you must arrange for repayment.
- You must not have any record of Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 cancellation.
What Are the Application Steps?
To make a complete application, you will be require to go through all the steps. For the two streams, steps will automatically differ.
Complete Pre-application Steps
Before you apply, there are some steps to complete. In the case of a Points-tested Stream, you will first need to submit an EOI to show your intention to apply for this skilled independent visa 189. Once the authority receives it, the professionals will conduct a thorough assessment. If they find it satisfying, they will send you an application invitation.
On the other hand, a New Zealand Stream does not involve these steps. In that case, you will need to complete the usual steps like undergoing health examinations, hiring the best migration agent Perth, etc.
Gather the Documents
For the Points-tested Stream, required documents will be as follows:
- Identify documents
- EOI documents to prove you satisfy the points’ test
- Skills assessment documents
- Competent English documents
- Character documents
- Relationship documents, including marriage certificates, statutory declarations, etc.
- Documents for dependent members
- Document regarding taking application help
If you are applying for the New Zealand Stream, the documents will include:
- Identity documents
- Income documents, including payslips, bank statements, etc.
- Residential documents, lease agreements, utility bills, etc.
- Character documents
- Relationship documents as the same as for the Points-tested Stream
- Documents relevant to dependents included in the application
- Document regarding hiring a migration agent
Complete the Application
Once you scan all the documents, you can now submit them and pay the application fee to complete the application.
Complete Post-application Steps
After you make the application, you may have to complete further steps such as providing biometric information, correcting application mistakes, paying installments, etc.
Wait for the skilled independent visa 189 Decision
The Department of Home Affairs will take some time to give their verdict on the application. Whatever the outcome is, you will be notified through email.
What Are the Processing Times and Application Fees for the Two Streams?
Points-tested Stream
Processing time is 21 months for 75% of applications, while that for 90% of applications is 33 months.
The current application fee is AUD4115.
New Zealand Stream
Processing time is 18 months for 75% of applications, and for 90% of applications, it is 24 months.
For this stream, too, the application fee is AUD4115. However, you will need to pay it in two installments. While the 20% fee must be paid at the time of submission, the remaining 80% must be paid at the time of skilled independent subclass 189 decision.
Where Can You Find a migration agent in Perth?
Many reputed migration firms have provided top-quality visa help in Perth for many years. Information on how to get in touch with them is easily available on the web, and thus it will not be a problem to contact migration agent perth.