189 Visa Skilled Independent (New Zealand Stream)
Overview
On July 1, 2017, this additional path became a new stream within the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa making it easier for New Zealand citizens who demonstrated commitment and contribution to Australia, to live and work in Australia permanently.
Benefits
Stay in Australia indefinitely
Work and study rights
Enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme (Medicare)
Able to sponsor family members
Travel to and from Australia for 5 years (After 5 years you will need a Resident Return visa/RRV to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident)
Social Security benefits
Become eligible to apply for Australian citizenship if requirements are met
Basic Eligibility
Applicant should be on a New Zealander Subclass 444 visa
Have been living in Australia for a continuous period of 5 years
Started residency on or before 19 February 2016
Meet taxable income threshold (currently $53,900) for at least 3 out of the last 5 financial years. One of the years must be the most recently completed financial year
Should meet health and character requirements
Note: Not a points-tested visa and there is no age requirement.
How It Works
Step 1: Before you apply
Check that you meet requirements for this visa, including meeting the specified income threshold and that you have been usually resident in Australia for at least 5 years.
Get a health exam before applying for the visa
Step 2: Gather your documents
You will need to provide identity, character, and other documents for evidence that you meet the criteria for this visa. Where applicable, your partner and any dependent children will also need to provide documents evidencing that they meet the criteria specific to them.
Step 3: Apply for the visa
Provide accurate information and you must be in Australia to apply for this visa.
Step 4: After you apply
Department will inform you once they receive the application.
While waiting for the visa to be granted, you need to inform the department if there is any information that needs to be updated or if there are any changes in your circumstances.
Step 5: Visa Outcome
You can be in or outside Australia when the department decides your visa application. They will let you know the decision in writing.
Processing time
75% of applications: 16 months
90% of applications: 18 months
Our Service
For more than 20 years we have been handling Subclass 189 visa applications where we have a dedicated team to handle your application.
We have a team of 20+ lawyers, registered migration agents, and legal assistants.
We assist in all guidance, checklist, samples, and cross-check everything before submission. Most importantly, we can make legal submissions to address how you meet all the visa requirements and whether there is a grey area in your situation.
Obtaining your skills assessment
Obtaining a nomination from a State or Territory Government (if required)
Preparing your relative sponsorship application (if required)
Lodging and monitoring your visa application
Managing your bridging visas
We monitor the process and represent you in all communications skills assessing authorities and the Department of Home Affairs from start to finish until the visa grant.
Think Visa can also provide you with successful strategies depending on your circumstances:
Previous visa refusals/cancellations
Tribunal appeals
Packaged visas to achieve ultimate migration goal
Factors that can affect character assessment such as criminal history/charges.
Please contact us today so we can make your goals become a reality.
Migration law is complex and is constantly changing. Let Think Visa do the thinking for you!
Costs
The visa costs AUD4,115 for the main applicant.
There is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa with you.
The visa application charges are paid in two instalments. The first instalment is 20% of the total visa application charge payable at time of lodgment. The second instalment is the remaining 80% of the visa application charge. The second charge must be paid before we grant you your visa.
Accreditation
Words from our clients
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Laura Bajurny
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The team at Think Visa has been excellent throughout the whole process. Devonne has always been very quick to respond and….
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Cherono Chemweno
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I received outstanding service. Excellent communication and swift action/response that made the experience even better than….
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Simon Pitt
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Brilliant service from this company, could not fault them in any way. We got the 820 visas after having problems on our own
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fairdingkumAussie
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I could not have done this on my own. The entire team at ThinkVisa made a very cumbersome process, very manageable. A big thanks to….
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Sanka G
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Very professional and efficient service. Promptly responds to any questions or queries. Young and team are very detailed, thorough….
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Katharine Kinnie
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I'm very grateful for the help that the Think Visa team gave me with extending my visa. They were quick to contact me, very efficient with….
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Huang Jing
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The service is absolutely professional and their responses to the enquiries are always prompt and helpful. In the application….
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Angela Grant
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We are really grateful for the help we were given by the Think Visa team. They are quick to respond to questions and are always friendly….
Expert lawyers, just a click away.
Let us solve your migration problems. We provide:
Trusted legal advice with peace of mind for your migration journey
Prepare, lodge and liaise with the Department on behalf of you and your family
Project-manage the application until the visa is granted and bring you to Australia