Discover the Latest Updates on the 189 Visa Application Process

The 189 visa is a popular visa among people who want to immigrate to Australia. It is a points-based visa that gives permanent residency status to eligible applicants. The visa requires the applicant to score a minimum of 65 points on a points-based assessment. The points are awarded for factors such as age, English language proficiency, work experience, education, and other factors.

The application process for the 189 visa has undergone some changes in recent times. These changes are aimed at making the process more streamlined and efficient. One of the changes that have been introduced is the introduction of the new Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) subclass 491 visa. This visa subclass replaces the 489 visa.

The new visa subclass requires the applicant to be nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a designated area. The visa allows the holder to live and work in a regional area of Australia for up to five years. After three years of living in a regional area, the visa holder can apply for permanent residency through the subclass 191 visa.

The introduction of the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) subclass 491 visa has resulted in some changes to the 189 visa application process. These changes are aimed at encouraging people to move to regional areas of Australia and ease the pressure on the major cities. One of the changes is the addition of five points to the points-based assessment for applicants who have lived and worked in regional Australia for at least one year.

Another change is the introduction of a new regional occupation list. The new list contains occupations that are in demand in regional areas of Australia. Applicants with an occupation on the list may be able to access additional points on the points-based assessment.

The Australian government has also announced some changes to the visa application fees. From July 1, 2020, the visa application fees will increase. This increase is in line with the government's policy of reducing the budget deficit. The visa application fees are used to fund the administration of the visa system and are reviewed regularly to ensure that they cover the cost of the visa application process.

In conclusion, the 189 visa is a popular visa for people who want to immigrate to Australia. The visa requires the applicant to score a minimum of 65 points on a points-based assessment. The application process for the 189 visa has undergone some changes in recent times, such as the introduction of the new Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) subclass 491 visa and a new regional occupation list. These changes are aimed at making the process more streamlined and efficient. Additionally, the Australian government has announced some changes to the visa application fees, which will increase from July 1, 2020.