Skilled Visa

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) &
Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)

These visas empower you with the following opportunities:

  • Secure permanent residency in Australia.
  • Engage in work and education within the country.
  • Enrol in Australia’s comprehensive public healthcare program, Medicare.
  • Act as a sponsor to bring your relatives to Australia.
  • Enjoy the privilege of multiple travels to and from Australia for a duration of 5 years.
  • Subject to meeting eligibility criteria, pursue Australian citizenship.
It is important to note that newly arrived residents may undergo a waiting period before gaining access to specific Australian Government payments and benefits. 
 
Duration – permanent
Cost – from $4240 (visa fees only)
Migration Consulting Fees – a quote will be provided from the outset based on the complexity your particular matter.
Average processing time – under 14 months (subclass 190) and under 5 months (subclass 189)

How It Works

For the first 5 years after your visa has been granted, you can travel to and from Australia without restriction. If your desire is to travel beyond the initial 5-year period, the following steps are necessary:

  • Submit a successful application for a Resident Return Visa (subclasses 157 and 155) to obtain permission for re-entry into Australia as a permanent resident.
  • Additionally, it is worth considering the option of acquiring Australian citizenship. By becoming an Australian citizen, you eliminate the need for a visa when entering Australia. It is important to note that you will still be required to apply for an Australian passport, which you will utilize for exiting and re-entering Australia.

In the event that you depart Australia after the expiration date of your travel facility without obtaining another valid travel facility through a permanent visa, such as a Resident Return, it will not be possible to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident. 

You can also include family members in your application; this will incur additional charges per family member. Additional family members that are 18 years old or older must have a level of functional English, or there will be an extra charge of $4885 per person. This is known as a second instalment charge, which you will only have to pay if the visa is going to be granted. If the visa is not granted and you have been asked to pay this already, it will be refunded to you. 

Duration

This visa is a permanent visa, however there are conditions. If you travel internationally without a Resident Return visa, you will not be allowed to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident. If you are eligible, you can apply for Australian citizenship while holding this skilled visa so that a Resident Return visa is not needed (an Australian passport will still be needed for international travel).

Eligibility

To ensure the validity of your application, it is essential that you possess either a substantive visa or one of the following bridging visas if you are applying while in Australia: Subclass 010 Bridging A visa, Subclass 020 Bridging B visa, or Subclass 030 Bridging C visa. Without meeting this requirement, your application may be deemed invalid.

To begin the application process, it is necessary to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). This is where the visas differ; upon acceptance and nomination by an Australian State or Territory government agency, an official invitation will be extended to apply for the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190). Please note that a nomination from an Australian State or Territory is mandatory in order to receive an invitation to apply for the 190 visa. It is crucial that the nominating agency does not withdraw their nomination after your application has been submitted, as this could result in the inability to grant you the visa. For the 189 visa, no nomination is necessary – only the Expression of Interest and invitation to apply is needed. The rest of the information that is listed on this page is applicable to both visas.

It is also mandatory to declare that you possess a suitable skills assessment at the time of receiving an invitation. Along with your application, you will be required to provide a copy of this skills assessment. For individuals in the medical and legal fields, we accept the following as evidence of a skills assessment:

  • Full, unconditional, or general medical registration granted by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
  • Conditional specialist registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, allowing you to practice exclusively within your specialty without the need for further training or supervision.
  • Admission to practice law in the relevant state or territory.

Your skills assessment should have been obtained within the three years preceding the date of your invitation. If the assessment was issued for a shorter period, the expiry date must not have elapsed.

 To be eligible for either visa, you must be below the age of 45 at the time of receiving the invitation to apply. Even if you reach the age of 45 after receiving the invitation, you can still proceed with your application. If you have already submitted your Expression of Interest (EOI) and subsequently turn 45 before receiving the invitation, you will not be invited to apply for the visa.

These visas operate on a points-based system. Upon submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, you will receive an initial points score based on the information you have provided. If your score falls below 65 points, you will not receive an invitation to apply for this visa. If you are invited to apply, the invitation will specify the minimum points required for your application to be considered for visa grant. Please note that this score may exceed 65 points, depending on the details you provided in your EOI. When submitting your application, it is crucial to include substantiating evidence to support the claims you made in your EOI.