Are you an engineer or currently studying an engineering course in Australia and would like to know how to apply for a Skill independent visa (SIV) in Australia?
If you plan to apply through this pathway (SIV) you need to know that this not a direct visa application, such as student, partner or others.
To apply for a skill Independent visa you will need to be invited, after submitting an Expression of interest (EOI) through SkillSelect at the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) website.
Firstly, verify that your Engineering course is in the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List at the DHA website.
Then check that you meet the requirements for this visa; age, English level (IELTS exam or equivalent), health, and clean police records among others.
Your next step is to check your points (point test), the minimum score for this application is 65, although this score does not guarantee an invitation as there are other people applying for your occupation as well and they could have a higher score than you and the Department of Home Affairs invites future applicants by higher score and not by date of submitting EOI.
You will then need to apply for a skill assessment through Engineers Australia, read the Migration Skills Assessment Booklet, choose the application route (depending on course location), create an account with them and make the application (career accreditation).
After Engineers Australia analyses your case, verifies your information and documents provided and is satisfied with your skills, they will then provide you with a positive skill assessment for your occupation (the name of this occupation must be the same in the positive skill assessment letter, skill migration List and in your online application).
Once you have a Positive skill assessment in your hands, you will need to go to the department of home affairs website and apply for an expression of Interest through skillselect.
Keep in mind that you should comply with all the requirements that you are declaring at the time of submission of EOI application (for the score you have at that stage). Be mindful of applying once you comply with all the requirements as if you don’t it could drive you to a visa refusal (after being invited) even if you meet the criteria the day after EOI submission.
If the Department of Home Affairs invites you, you will need to submit your visa application online within the following 60 days (outside or within the country). If you are in Australia at the time of application (after being invited) and with a valid current visa, the migration department will grant you a BVA (bridging visa) so that you can legally wait within the country until the decision is made.
Please note that you need to hold a valid visa while you wait to be invited to apply for your SIV as the Expression of Interest submission will not provide you with a BVA to wait.
The waiting time for this visa (after being invited and applied) is approximately 6 to 9 months (this waiting time is conditional to each case and the availability of the DHA).
If you require more information or clarification regarding this information, you could make an appointment with us so we could advise you and clarify your doubts. And if you meet the requirements we can also represent you with your case at the DHA and in your process with Engineers Australia (if you need it).
Contact us now, we will be glad to assist you and guide you on your migration journey in Australia.
Paola Escobar
Registered Migration Agent
MARN:0963365
Hi Paola thank you for the information, it’s very helpful.
I’ll contact you very soon.