The professional independent Visa (Subclass 189) is an everlasting residency visa designed for professional people who aren’t backed by an employer, member of the family, or a nation/territory government. It allows holders to stay and work anywhere in Australia. As of August 2025, the process is streamlined with a strong focus on occupations in demand, and precedence is being given to highly professional candidates aligned with Australia’s long-term economic desires.
Subclass 189 visa makes it possible to eliminate the gaps in the Australian labor market in terms of talent by inviting foreign experts with valuable skills. It promises prospective employees permanent residency status which allows them to enjoy all the benefits of Australian life.
Who can apply
This visa is ideal for people who:
- Are under 45 years of age at the time of invitation
- Have relevant work experience in a high-demand occupation.
- Possess ready English language competencies.
- No longer requires sponsorship from an enterprise or a territorial government.
- Meet the minimum factors threshold on the points taken, look at (presently sixty-five points or more)
Key blessings of Subclass 189 Visa
- everlasting residency from day one
- Freedom to live and work everywhere in Australia
- access to Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system)
- Pathway to Australian citizenship
- potential to sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency
- Travel inside and outside of Australia for 5 years from the date of the visa provided
Step-by-Step Application Process
Follow the steps below to get your visa
Step 1: Check eligibility and career list
Earlier than beginning the process, candidates should confirm that their occupation is indexed on the professional profession listing (SOL) and ensure they meet the primary standards consisting of age, English proficiency, competencies, and qualifications.
Step 2: talent evaluation
candidates should have their abilities assessed by the relevant Australian assessing authority. Each profession has a chosen agency that evaluates whether or not your qualifications and experience suit Australian requirements. The assessment must be superb and submitted along with your utility.
Step 3: Take an English Language test
To illustrate your English capability. Regularly occurring assessments consist of IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE academic, and others. Minimum English language scores vary primarily based on the check and your occupation.
Step 4: Calculate points score
Australia uses a points-based immigration system. You want no less than 65 factors to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI). Points are awarded primarily based on:
- Age
- English proficiency
- work enjoy
- training qualifications
- Australian take a look at necessities
- An expert schooling qualification
- Credentialed network language
- nearby study
- accomplice capabilities
- Nomination/sponsorship (handiest for positive visas)
Step 5: publish an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Once you have got a tremendous skills assessment and English check outcomes, post an EOI through the web SkillSelect gadget. This is not a visa software; however, it is a way to specify your hobby when applying for the visa. You have to provide specified information about your history, qualifications, work records, and English talents.
Step 6: receive an invitation to use (ITA)
In case your EOI is a hit and your rating ranks competitively against others, you can obtain an invite to use (ITA) from the Australian authorities. Invitations are issued in ordinary rounds based on current desires and available spaces.
Step 7: Complete the visa application
After you receive the ITA, you’ve got 60 days to file an entire visa application online. Include all required documents and pay the visa utility fee. Make sure that all files are translated into English and authorized where required.
Step 8: go through fitness and person exams
You and any accompanying family members have to undergo a medical examination by an authorized panel health practitioner. Police clearance certificates are also required from every country you have lived in for three hundred and sixty-five days or more over the past 10 years.
Step 9: Look ahead to the Visa choice
Processing times may also vary depending on the case, but it usually takes several months. You will be contacted to provide additional documents or attend an interview.
Step 10: Obtain a Visa and begin a New existence in Australia
If successful, you will obtain a visa supply word. From this factor, you’re an everlasting resident of Australia with all the associated rights and duties.
Required files
To support your utility, you want to prepare and add clean, readable copies of the subsequent documents:
- Valid passport and identity
- talent evaluation file
- English test effects (IELTS, PTE, and so on)
- academic certificate and transcripts
- Employment reference letters and payslips
- Resume or CV
- Police clearance certificates
- fitness exam reviews
- partner and kids’ documents (if applicable)
- Marriage certificates or Divorce certificates (where applicable)
- All the files should be written in English or well supported with certified translation.
Envisioned Visa fees
As of August 2025, the primary applicant visa fee is about AUD 640. Extra fees apply for spouses and structured youngsters. Charges for scientific checks, police exams, and skill assessments are separate.
Processing instances
- EOIs may take weeks to months, relying on your occupation’s call for
- Visa application choices generally take four to nine months from the time of lodgement.
- Applications with complete documentation and high point scores are normally processed faster.
Publish-Visa provides the Steps
When you get hold of your visa:
- Set off on the visa with the aid of getting into Australia within the stipulated time.
- Apply for a Tax report variety (TFN)
- Sign up with Medicare
- Find lodging and employment.
- Enroll children in faculties (if relevant)
- Settle into your new existence with access to all permanent residency rights.
Residing and working in Australia
Australia is the country with the high standard of living, well-paid jobs and providing public healthcare, an interesting multicultural society. Talented individuals often find jobs in the much needed cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. The demand is also high in regional areas that have a gradual pace of life, lower cost of living, and additional immigration benefits.
Pathway to Citizenship
After keeping everlasting residency for 4 years and dwelling in Australia for at least three out of these four years, you could become eligible to apply for Australian citizenship. This gives you the right to vote, apply for an Australian passport, and enjoy full civil rights.
FAQs
What is the number of the points I have to utilize with the Subclass 189?
The minimum points you require are sixty-five points, and the more points you have, the more likely to get an invitation.
Can I include my own family in the software?
Sure, you can include your spouse and dependent kids. They will also become permanent citizens if the visa is granted.
Do I need a job provider to apply?
No. The Subclass 189 visa is for independent professional workers who no longer require organization sponsorship.
Is the visa legitimate indefinitely?
The Subclass 189 visa offers everlasting residency. It lets you stay in Australia indefinitely and presents a five-year journey facility.
Am I able to apply for citizenship after you have this visa?
Yes. After assembling the residency requirement and different eligibility conditions, you could practice for Australian citizenship.
What if I don’t get hold of an invite to apply?
Your EOI will continue to be inside the SkillSelect pool for up to two years. You could replace your EOI to boost your points score, or don’t forget different visa alternatives.
Is health insurance required before a visa is provided?
At the same time as no longer mandatory for Subclass 189, it is endorsed to have ok health insurance until Medicare benefits begin after your arrival.
Sum Up
The experienced independent Visa (Subclass 189) is among the brightest opportunities to the skilled specialists who want to live and work fully in Australia, being not sponsored by corporations or other countries, and not related to family members. By August 2025, the Australian government still focuses on high demand occupations so that the people who have the given qualifications, work experience and can speak the necessary language, will be able to contribute to the personnel of the country in a significant way.