Skilled Visa | Skilled Migration Visa
If you’re looking for a way to use your skills to advance your employment and to live in Australia, a Skilled Visa may be the way to do this. Australia provides a number of ways for skilled individuals to work or invest in Australia.
There is a range of benefits to attaining a skilled visa for yourself, not least of all the fact that you can live and work in Australia indefinitely. You will also have the opportunity to study in Australia, will be able to enrol in Medicare for healthcare, and can even apply for Australian citizenship. You will be able to come and go from Australia as you please and will not be confined to living under the conditions of a different visa.
If you are unsure about what type of Skilled Visa might be best suited to your particular ability or profession, then please read this page of information and then call us with any questions you have on 3360 0840. We are happy to answer any of your questions and can assist you with making an accurate and fully completed application for a Skilled Visa Australia.
Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189 | Points Tested Stream
The skilled visa is designed for employment-skilled individuals who meet the points test requirement and wish to live and work in Australia on a permanent basis.
You may be eligible for this visa if you can meet the following requirements:
1. Be under 45 years of age
2. Meet minimum 65 points test requirement
3. Identify your nominated occupation on a relevant list of skilled occupations
4. Have competent English
5. Hold a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation
6. Meet health and character requirements
7. Do not have any outstanding debts to the Australian government
What Is The Application Process For The Skilled Migration Visa?
Skills Assessment
You will need to obtain a positive skills assessment from a relevant assessing authority before you can lodge your expression of interest. If you are invited to apply for the visa, you will need to provide evidence of holding a positive skills assessment at the time of your invitation.
Expression of Interest and Invitation to Apply
Before you can apply for this visa, you must be invited to apply. Accordingly, you must lodge your expression of interest which provides information that you meet the 65 points test requirement
What Does The Visa Cost?
The visa application costs are as follows:
Primary Applicant: $4,045
Secondary Applicant: $2,020
Child: $1,015
You can lodge this application while you are in or outside Australia.
The processing of this application is between 8 to 10 months. It is crucial that your visa application is prepared at a high standard with all of the relevant documents and information to avoid any potential delays or adverse decisions.
Invitations are issued each month and are subject to the skilled occupations ceilings as well as your ranking against other individuals that apply. Accordingly, it is important that you seek advice about your eligibility from the very beginning.
Visa Application
Once you are invited to apply, you can lodge your visa application which provides all of your information and evidence to satisfy the criteria.
Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) (New Zealand) Stream
If you are a New Zealand Special Category (Subclass 444) (SCV) visa holder, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence. You will also be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship after 12 months of holding your Subclass 189 visa.
In order to be eligible to apply you will need to satisfy the following:
1. Be a holder of a SCV Subclass 444 visa
2. Have been usually a resident in Australia continuously for 5 years
3. Have started your residency in Australia on or before 19 February 2016
4. Have taxable income at or above an income threshold (currently $53,900) for each of the four completed income years prior to lodging your visa application (unless exemptions apply)
5. Meet health and character requirements
6. Not have any outstanding debts to the Australia government
How Much Does This Visa Cost?
Primary Applicant: $3,750
Secondary Applicant: $1,875
Child: $945
The visa application charge is payable in two instalments as follows:
1. 20% of the total visa application charge at the time of lodging your visa application.
2. 80% of the total visa application charge prior to your visa being granted.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
This visa is designed for skilled individuals who are nominated by an Australia State or Territory government to live and work in Australia as a permanent resident.
You may be eligible for this visa if you can meet the following requirements:
1. Be under 45 years of age
2. Meet minimum 60 points test requirement (being nominated by a State or Territory provides you with additional 5 points). Please note depending on the State or Territory government requirements, you may need extra points to be nominated.
3. Identify your nominated occupation on a relevant list of skilled occupations
4. Have competent English
5. Hold a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation
6. Meet health and character requirements
7. Do not have any outstanding debts to the Australian government
Skills Assessment
Expression of Interest (‘EOI’) – Invitation to Apply (including seeking nomination from the Australian State or Territory government)
Visa Application
There is no charge for lodging your EOI and it is valid for a period of 2 years. Once you have been invited to apply, you will have 60 days to lodge your Visa application.
It is important to note that each State and Territory has their own separate lists of skilled occupation, additional requirements and charges. Accordingly, it is important that you seek advice early to avoid delays, unnecessary costs or adverse decisions on your application.
How much does the skilled nominated visa cost?
Primary Applicant: $3,755
Secondary Applicant: $1,875
Child: $940
The visa application procession period is approximately 6 months.
Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 489)
If you are unable to meet the requirements for the Subclass 189 or 190 visa, you may be eligible to apply for Subclass 489 pathway instead.
This visa is designed to allow skilled workers to live and work in regional or low population growth metropolitan areas of Australia for up to 4 years.
This stream consists of three pathways:
1. The Extended stay pathway
2. The Invited pathway
3. The Subsequent entry pathway
Upon holding and meeting the requirements of this visa, you may qualify for the permanent Skilled Regional Visa Subclass 887.
In order to meet the requirements for this visa, you must meet the following criteria:
1. Hold a subclass 475, 487, 495 or 496 visa if pursuing the Extended Stay Pathway
2. Be nominated by a State or Territory government or be sponsored by an eligible relative residing in a regional area (Invited pathway)
3. Be a member of the family unit of a holder of a Subclass 489, 475, 487, 495 or 496 visa (Subsequent entry pathway)
4. Have your occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
5. Hold a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation
6. Meet the points test requirement of 65 points (you will be awarded 10 points for living and working in a regional area of Australia)
7. Be under 45 years of age at the time being invited to apply for the visa
8. Have Competent English
9. Meet health and character requirements
10. Not have any outstanding debts to the Australian government
How much does the skilled nominated visa cost?
Extended Stay Pathway:
Primary Applicant: $335
Secondary Applicant: $165
Child: $85
Invited Pathway:
Primary Applicant: $3,755
Secondary Applicant: $1,875
Child: $940
Subsequent Entrant Pathway: $335 if your family member was an extended pathway applicant and $3,755 if your family member was an invited pathway applicant.
The visa application processing time is approximately 7 to 10 months.
This visa allows you to live and work in Australia for up to 4 years.
It is important that if you are applying via the invited pathway, that you obtain appropriate advice and information with regards to your eligibility as each State and Territory has its own set of requirements and skilled occupations lists. If you are being sponsored by an eligible relative, you will need to ensure that the relative is prepared to support you and your family and must reside in the designated area in Australia.
Contact Us To Discuss Your Application For A Skilled Migration Visa Today
When applying for a visa, it is important to ensure that you have made the most comprehensive and up to date application possible. Delays caused by incomplete application and problems with processing can be distressing and financially straining. We make the process smooth and straightforward, so please contact us to find out more about how we can help you on 3012 6359.