AUSTRALIA SC 189 SKILLED INDEPENDENT RESIDENT VISA

Are you a skilled worker wishing to live, work and settle in Australia with PR? Well, you may apply for Skilled Independent (SC 189) visa. This is a points based 2 step, invitatation visa and does not require sponsorship or nomination. Check out visa requirements, application fees & estimated processing times for SC Visa.

Skilled Independent Resident (SC 189) Visa Requirements

To qualify for SC 189 visa, you need to:

• be aged between 18 and 44 years;
• nominate an occupation on relevant skilled occupation list;
• have positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation;
• score at least 65 points on points table;
• submit Expression of Interest (EOI) under SkillSelect;
• be Invited To Apply (ITA) for visa upon selection of your EOI;
• submit your SC 189 visa application within 60 days from receiving ITA;
• meet health, character and English language requirements;

Expression of Interest (EOI)

All EOIs received are pooled and:

• remain in the pool earlier of selection or 2 years from submission;
• highest scoring EOIs are selected from the pool periodically;
• selection points vary at each selection for each occupation, depending upon the number of annual places available for that occupation and the number of EOIs for that occupation in the pool;
• EOI will be withdrawn at the end of 2 years, if not selected;
• applicants can submit a new EOI, if their EOI is withdrawn.

Check the Latest SkillSelect EOI Selection Result.

Back to Top

SC 189 Visa Estimated Processing Time

As mentioned, there is no time-frame for selection of EOI, as selection depends on various factors. However after the EOI is selected and residence visa application is submitted, the current estimated process times are as under:

• 50% applications are processed within 59 days;
• 90% applications are processed within 4 months.

Actual processing times may be different as it depends upon:

• the workload at the processing office;
• processing priorities set by the government;
• submission of incomplete application;
• time taken by the applicant to submit additional documents requested, if any;
• time taken by third party for verification of documents, required if any;
• health and/or character issues, if any.

Generally fully complete applications submitted with all documents including medicals and police certificate(s) are processed quickly.

Back to Top

Visa Application Charges (VAC) and Other Costs

There is no fee to submit EOI for Skilled Independent Visa. Visa Application Charge for resident visa application, is as under:

• Main Applicant - A$ 4,765;
• Each additional applicant aged 18 years and above - A$2,385;
• Each additional applicant aged under 18 years - A$1,195.

VAC is payable at the time of submission of the skilled independent visa application. Besides VAC, applicants need to factor in the following additional costs, as applicable:

• Skils Assessment fees - Each skills assessing authority has differen fees;
• Qualifications Assessment charges, if required;
• Costs of passport Photo, Medical Examination and Police Certificate;
• Flight Tickets;
• Migration Agent Fees if you wish to use an immigration advisor.

Back to Top

Contact Us

Contact us if you wish to live, work and settle in Australia with PR and apply for the Skilled Independent Resident (SC 189) Visa. We will assess your eligibility, arrange your skills assessment and qualifications assessment (if required), prepare and submit your EOI and your visa application (if ITA is received). Take the first step, submit your Visa Enquiry now.

Back to Top