Subclass 189 Visa – Skilled Independent Visa
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Migrate to Australia as a Skilled Professional Without Sponsorship
Are you a skilled professional aiming for permanent residency in Australia?
The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa allows highly qualified individuals to live and work in Australia without requiring employer sponsorship, family sponsorship, or state/territory nomination.
If your occupation is in demand and listed on the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List), this visa offers a direct pathway to permanent residency.
Why Choose the Subclass 189 Visa?
The Subclass 189 visa is a points-tested permanent visa designed for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or relative, and who have not been nominated by a state or territory government.
It is ideal for highly skilled professionals who want the freedom to live and work anywhere in Australia.
Key Benefits of the Subclass 189 Visa
- Permanent Residency from the day your visa is granted
- Live, work, and study anywhere in Australia
- Access Medicare, Australia’s public health system
- Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible)
- Sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency
- Travel in and out of Australia freely for 5 years
Points-Based Selection System
To apply for this visa, you must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the SkillSelect system. Your profile is then ranked against others based on a points test, and the Department of Home Affairs issues invitations to the highest-ranking applicants.
To be eligible, you must score at least 65 points based on:
- Age
- Educational qualifications (Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD)
- English language proficiency
- Work experience (inside and outside Australia)
- Partner’s skills
- NAATI accreditation (community language skills)
- Professional Year Program completion
- Australian qualifications
- Study in regional areas
Note: BFES Global helps you calculate your points and improve your EOI score.
To apply for this visa, you must:
- Be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation
- Nominate an occupation on the MLTSSL
- Have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and receive an invitation to apply
- Demonstrate competent English proficiency
- Meet health and character requirements
- Not hold any outstanding debt to the Australian Government
To meet the language requirement, you must score:
- IELTS: Minimum of 6.0 in each band
- PTE Academic: Minimum of 50 in each band
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum of 12 (Listening), 13 (Reading), 21 (Writing), and 18 (Speaking)
- OET: Score of B in each component
- Cambridge (CAE): Minimum of 169 in each component
Applicants and their family members must:
- Complete health examinations within 12 months prior to visa application
- Provide police clearance certificates for any country where they lived for 12+ months in the last 10 years (from age 16 onwards)
Including Family Members in Your Application
You may include the following family members in your 189 visa application:
- Your spouse or de facto partner
- Your or your partner’s dependent child or stepchild
All dependents must meet health and character criteria.
How BFES Global Supports Your Subclass 189 Visa Application
At BFES Global, our experts assist you with:
- Checking your occupation’s eligibility under the MLTSSL
- Calculating your points accurately
- Preparing and lodging your EOI through SkillSelect
- Managing your skills assessment process
- Organizing English tests and documentation
- Filing your visa application with 100% compliance
- Advising on the PR transition process and settlement support