Skilled Independent (189)
Points-tested permanent residence with no sponsor, for occupations on the medium and long-term list; invitations go to the highest scores.
[ Oceania ]
Australia
Skilled and talent-based migration to a country that closed its old investor visa in 2024.
- Route
- Residency & migration
- Minimum investment
- None for skilled routes; National Innovation Visa (858) has no fixed amount and is by invitation
- Time to residency
- Several months to over a year, depending on the stream and invitation
- Presence required
- Live in Australia to keep residence; 491 requires 3 years in a regional area
- Citizenship
- After 4 years of residence, including 1 year as a permanent resident
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Dependants
- Spouse or partner and dependent children
- Reach status
- Advisory & filing
Figures indicative as of September 2026. Amounts, fees and processing times change with each government’s rules. A consultant confirms the current terms for your family before anything is signed.
Australia’s Business Innovation and Investment programme (subclass 188) closed to new applications in 2024. Its replacement, the National Innovation Visa (subclass 858), is an invitation-only visa for exceptionally talented individuals, investors and entrepreneurs with no fixed investment amount. For most families, the realistic routes today are skilled and employer-sponsored migration.
The skilled routes are points-tested: an occupation on the skilled lists, a positive skills assessment, competent English and at least 65 points. Permanent residents receive Medicare and public education, and citizenship follows four years of residence including one as a permanent resident.
Why families choose it
- 01
Permanent residence for professionals
Engineers, doctors, IT specialists, accountants and trades on the skilled lists qualify without an investment.
- 02
Medicare and public schools
Public healthcare and education for the family from the day permanent residence is granted.
- 03
Citizenship in four years
Four years of residence, including one as a permanent resident, leads to an Australian passport.
- 04
Regional pathways
The 491 visa adds points for regional living and converts to permanent residence after three years.
- 05
Employer sponsorship
A job offer from an approved Australian employer opens the 482 and 186 visas.
Investment routes
Skilled Nominated (190)
Permanent residence with a state or territory nomination worth 5 extra points, in return for living in that state.
Skilled Work Regional (491)
A five-year regional visa with 15 extra points; permanent residence after three years of living and working in a regional area.
Employer-sponsored (482 and 186)
The Skills in Demand visa for a sponsored role, and the 186 for direct permanent residence with an approved employer.
National Innovation Visa (858)
Invitation-only permanent residence for exceptional talent, investors and entrepreneurs; the successor to the closed 188 programme, with no set investment amount.
Figures indicative as of September 2026. Amounts, fees and processing times change with each government’s rules. A consultant confirms the current terms for your family before anything is signed.
How it works
Who can be included
Spouse or de facto partner and dependent children are included in the visa; a partner’s skills and English can add points to the application.
- A consultant checks your occupation against the skilled lists and calculates your points.
- You sit the English test and apply for a skills assessment from the authority for your occupation.
- An expression of interest is lodged in SkillSelect, and state nomination or employer sponsorship is secured where it adds points.
- Once invited, the visa application is filed with health examinations and police certificates for the family.
- The visa is granted; 491 holders live in a regional area for three years before applying for permanent residence.
- After four years of residence, including one as a permanent resident, the family applies for citizenship.
Questions people ask
Talk to a consultant: Assess my case
Can I still apply for the 188 investor visa?
No. The Business Innovation and Investment programme closed to new applications in 2024. The National Innovation Visa (858) replaced it, but it is invitation-only and aimed at exceptional talent rather than a set investment.
What points do I need?
At least 65 to submit an expression of interest, though invitations for 189 usually go to higher scores. Age under 45, English, qualifications, experience and state or regional nomination all count.
Is there an age limit?
Yes. Applicants for the points-tested visas must be under 45 at invitation. Employer-sponsored and talent routes have some exceptions.
Does the 491 lead to permanent residence?
Yes. After three years of living and working in a designated regional area, with the required income, holders can apply for the 191 permanent visa.
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