Pakistani applicants · Commonwealth of Australia
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) for Pakistani citizens
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Points-based permanent residence visa for skilled workers without employer or state sponsorship.
This page covers the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) specifically for Pakistani applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to Pakistan. The route's general criteria are summarised below, but the current corridor-specific filing, visa-issuance, and entry position above can still determine whether the route is usable.
- Processing time
- 50%: 7 months; 90%: 8 monthsPoints-Tested stream only; recently decided applications, excluding time waiting for a SkillSelect invitation.
- Worked-example cost
- A$6,135
- Typical duration
- Permanent residence.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
- Commonwealth
Consular processing: a Commonwealth of Australia consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence
Tourist entry vs. this route
Tourist-entry rules for Pakistani nationals change periodically and are separate from the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). Check the destination government's current entry guidance before travel.
Key figures for Pakistani applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
Worked-example route cost
A$6,135
Single applicant, first-instalment application charge only
Add A$3,070 per additional applicant aged 18 or over and A$1,540 per additional applicant under 18. A conditional A$4,885 second instalment can apply to an applicant aged 18 or over at application who is assessed as not having functional English; pay it only if Home Affairs requests it.
Verified 10 September 2026 · Home Affairs — current visa pricing table
How long it takes
50%: 7 months; 90%: 8 months
The Home Affairs processing-time tool, checked 10 September 2026 for subclass 189 Points-Tested, reports 50% processed in 7 months and 90% in 8 months. These are observed processing percentiles for recently decided visa applications, not a minimum/maximum range or a guaranteed decision date. SkillSelect invitation waiting is separate.
Points-Tested stream only; recently decided applications, excluding time waiting for a SkillSelect invitation.
Verified 10 September 2026 · Home Affairs — Global visa processing times
Time to permanent residence
Arrival on 482 → 186 ENS after 2 years (Specialist Skills Pathway) or 3-4 years (Core Skills) → PR → citizenship after 4 years from arrival (minimum 12 months as PR).
Leads to Permanent Resident, then Australian citizenship.
Will you qualify?
EOI minimum: 65 points to submit an Expression of Interest; invitation rounds usually require more.
Estimate your scoreVisa overview
Subclass 189 is the core SkillSelect permanent-residence visa. Points are assigned for age, English, qualifications, experience, partner skills, and Australian study. Invitations issue after EOI submission based on points ranking and occupation.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Nominate an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) applicable to subclass 189 Points-Tested, and check the assessing authority designated for that occupation.Australian Government — Federal Register of Legislation ↗
- ✓Have a suitable skills assessment for the nominated occupation and meet the assessment timing and validity rules. Home Affairs accepts specified medical registrations and admission to legal practice as assessment evidence for those professions; this is not an exemption for every healthcare occupation.Department of Home Affairs ↗
- ✓Be under 45 when invited to apply. Turning 45 after the invitation does not itself prevent applying.Department of Home Affairs ↗
- ✓Meet competent English through an accepted test or eligible citizenship and passport evidence. IELTS requires at least 6 in each component; check the current test-specific rules and validity period.Department of Home Affairs ↗
- ✓Score at least 65 points to be eligible for an invitation, and substantiate the score stated in the invitation when the application is assessed. Meeting 65 points does not guarantee an invitation.Department of Home Affairs ↗
Common blockers
- !Occupation off list.
- !Points below invitation round cut-off.
Typical evidence
- ·Skills assessment by relevant body.
- ·English test results.
- ·Work-history evidence.
Application pathway
Check the occupation and assessment requirements
Use the assessing authority designated for the nominated occupation. Examples include ACS for designated technology occupations, Engineers Australia for designated engineering occupations and ANMAC for nursing and midwifery. Follow Home Affairs’ assessment timing and validity rules; professional registration is not universally the same as a migration skills assessment.
Submit EOI via SkillSelect
Expression of interest with points breakdown.
Receive Invitation to Apply
Based on ranking in invitation rounds.
Lodge visa application
60-day window post-invitation.
Plan the practical side of your stay
Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Australia. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official portalApplicantSubmit SkillSelect EOI ↗
Applicants use SkillSelect to lodge the EOI required before a subclass 189 invitation.
Department of Home Affairs · verified
Recent policy changes affecting this route
What changed most recently on this route — each linked to its primary government source.
- 25 July 2026In force 25 July 2026
Australia changes skilled-visa processing priorities under Direction 119
Direction 119 replaced Direction 105 on 25 July 2026, changing the priority order for covered skilled nominations and visa applications, including applications already waiting.
Australian Department of Home Affairs
Other Commonwealth of Australia routes covered for Pakistani applicants
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
Employer-sponsored temporary work visa for skilled roles an Australian employer cannot fill locally.
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
State-nominated permanent residence visa providing a 5-point SkillSelect boost.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
Provisional 5-year regional visa leading to permanent residence via subclass 191.
Not sure Commonwealth of Australia is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer skilled migration routes that Pakistani nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Pakistani citizens eligible for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)?+
Eligibility for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is set by Department of Home Affairs. Pakistani applicants must meet the general route criteria plus any nationality- or location-specific intake requirements described in the current corridor guidance above.
Where do Pakistani applicants typically file the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)?+
a Commonwealth of Australia consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by Department of Home Affairs — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Pakistani applicants need a tourist visa for Commonwealth of Australia as well?+
Tourist-entry rules for Pakistani nationals change periodically and are separate from the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). Check the destination government's current entry guidance before travel.
How much does the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) cost for a Pakistani applicant?+
The stored worked example (Single applicant, first-instalment application charge only) totals about A$6,135. Add A$3,070 per additional applicant aged 18 or over and A$1,540 per additional applicant under 18. A conditional A$4,885 second instalment can apply to an applicant aged 18 or over at application who is assessed as not having functional English; pay it only if Home Affairs requests it. It may combine government charges with other stated route costs. Source: Home Affairs — current visa pricing table, verified 10 September 2026. Treat it as indicative and confirm the current official schedule before budgeting.
How long does the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) take to process from Pakistan?+
The Home Affairs processing-time tool, checked 10 September 2026 for subclass 189 Points-Tested, reports 50% processed in 7 months and 90% in 8 months. These are observed processing percentiles for recently decided visa applications, not a minimum/maximum range or a guaranteed decision date. SkillSelect invitation waiting is separate. Points-Tested stream only; recently decided applications, excluding time waiting for a SkillSelect invitation. Pakistani applicants usually file via a Commonwealth of Australia consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence, and appointment or post-specific backlogs can add to the wait. Source: Home Affairs — Global visa processing times, verified 10 September 2026.
How long until permanent residence in Commonwealth of Australia?+
Arrival on 482 → 186 ENS after 2 years (Specialist Skills Pathway) or 3-4 years (Core Skills) → PR → citizenship after 4 years from arrival (minimum 12 months as PR). The route leads to Permanent Resident, then Australian citizenship. See Home Affairs — Australian citizenship for the qualifying-residence rules.
How many points do I need for subclass 189?+
At least 65 points are required, but this does not guarantee an invitation. If invited, you must substantiate the points score stated in your invitation. Check the official SkillSelect invitation-round results for the relevant occupation and round rather than relying on one universal competitive score.
How we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Engineers Australia
Last checked: 10 September 2026