Australia needs no introduction. Australia is a well-known place across the globe. If you are looking for better career opportunities or a change in scenery Australia has a lot to offer you. The nation is backed by a stable economy, excellent healthcare and education system, and offers a high standard of living and diverse culture. These attractive features of the nation make it a popular destination for people looking for permanent residency.
Recently the Australian government introduced the Skilled Independent Visa to attract migrants who possess skills needed by the Australian community.
What is a Skilled Independent Visa?
The skill-independent visa also known as subclass 189 is one among the many visas that the Australian government provides. It intends to allow specifically skilled workers needed by the Australian community. This visa will allow the recipients to live, study and work in Australia permanently.
The subclass 189 visa is a point-tested visa based on specific skills. If you get the visa you will be able to live anywhere in Australia and enjoy many of the benefits and rights of an Australian citizen.
Those who possess in-demand skills and can contribute to the Australian community with their abilities are eligible for this visa. Individuals are eligible even if they do not have sponsorship from an employer or family member. All one has to do is go through a point-based assessment test which hardly takes five minutes.
Benefit.
With this visa, you can stay in Australia indefinitely. How good of a heart balm is that? Hang on there are more benefits than just staying indefinitely. You can sponsor a relative to come to and stay in Australia and even get Australian citizenship if they meet eligibility requirements.
With this visa, you can travel to and from Australia for five years irrespective of the number of times you travel. After five years you will need a resident return visa to enter Australia as a permanent citizen.
You can also enroll in Australia’s public healthcare scheme. Cost of the visa. At present, the visa cost AUD4,240 for the main applicant. If the applicant intends to enter with family members then he or she will have to pay extra for each family member applied alongside the applicant. A visa for a family member over 18 years of age is AUD$2,020 and AUD$1,015 for someone under 18 years of age.
These numbers may change. The applicants are advised to go through the Visa Pricing Estimator available from the Home Affairs website.
Eligibility.
- Be invited to apply
- Undergo suitable skills assessment
- Be aged under 45 when invited
- Score 65 points or more
- Have a competent level of English
- Meet the skills requirement
- Meet the health requirement
- Meet the character requirements
- No outstanding Government debt Sign the Australian values statement
This visa has no doubt big benefits. It also helps the applicant to have their family members with them. The visa holders are eligible for several government services like healthcare, social services, education, etc. This is a great move by the Australian government and shall be beneficial to both the immigrant and the government
