Skilled – Independent (Residence) visa (subclass 885)

(If you are inside Australia)

About Skilled Independent Visa:

This visa allows overseas students who have completed their course studies in Australia and holders of certain temporary visas to apply for permanent residency.

This visa uses a points test to select visa applicants with characteristics needed in the Australian labor market.

You do not require sponsorship to apply for this visa.

How Skilled Independent Visa Works:

This is a permanent residence visa. As a permanent resident you are permitted to remain in Australia indefinitely. This visa also allows you to travel to and enter Australia for five (5) years from the date the visa is granted. The expiry of this visa does not affect your permanent resident status if you are in Australia. However, if you wish to continue to travel to and from Australia as a permanent resident after the initial visa has expired, you must obtain a Resident Return Visa (RRV). Your eligibility for an RRV will depend on the period that you have resided in Australia.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for you if you are in Australia and you are one of the following:

• An overseas student or former overseas student
• A holder of a Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485) visa or Skilled – Recognized Graduate (subclass 476) visa
• A holder of a Trade Skills Training (subclass 471) visa.

You must:

• be under 45 years of age
• have good English language skills
• have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and your nominated occupation is classified as either:
  • 60 point occupation Or
  • 50 point occupation

The SOL is a list of skilled occupations that are in need in Australia. Each occupation listed on the SOL is allocated a points value for use in the visa assessment process.

How much does this visa cost?

You must pay the relevant visa application charge when you lodge your visa application. Cost Of Independent - Skilled (Residence Visa)

What does this visa let me do?

This visa allows you and any secondary applicants included in your visa application to live as permanent residents in Australia.

Australian permanent residents can:

• Live and work in Australia on a permanent basis
• Study in Australia at school or university
• Receive subsidized health care through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
• Access certain social security payments (subject to waiting periods)
• Be eligible for Australian citizenship (subject to the residency eligibility criteria)
• Sponsor people for permanent residence.

Skilled Independent Visa Eligibility:

Main Applicant Visa Eligibility

Secondary Applicant Visa Eligibility