Australia PR from Pakistan: the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is permanent residence in Australia without a sponsor. You need an occupation on the skilled list, a positive skills assessment, at least competent English, to be under 45 and at least 65 points; then you lodge an Expression of Interest and wait for an invitation, which in 2026 usually took well over 65 points. The main fee is A$6,135 (about PKR 1,182,000).
Last checked:
At a glance
- Main fee
- A$6,135 (about PKR 1,182,000)
- Processing time
- Varies, see below
- Documents
- 12 on the list
- An occupation on the skilled list and a positive skills assessment.
- Competent English, under 45 and at least 65 points; invitations often need more.
- Applicants outside Australia are processed last.
Fees
| Fee | Official amount | About in PKR |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application charge (main applicant)From 1 July 2026; not refunded if refused. | A$6,135 | PKR 1,182,000 |
| Each family member 18 or over | A$3,070 | PKR 592,000 |
| Each family member under 18 | A$1,540 | PKR 297,000 |
| Second instalment (only without functional English)For each applicant 18 or over without functional English, charged before the visa is granted. | A$4,885 | PKR 941,000 |
Rupee amounts are a guide only, at the mid-market rate on October 9, 2026 (1 AUD = PKR 192.68). Your bank and the visa centre use their own rates.
Check the amount on the official source.
Official fee pages:Current visa pricing (from 1 July 2026)
Processing time
Not confirmed
Recently decided applications: half within 61 days, 90% within 8 months. Offshore applications wait longer under the processing order.
Official source: Global visa processing timesDocuments you need
From our draft document list for this visa. Your own list depends on your situation, so check the official source.
Usually needed
Passport
Scan of the passport pages with your photo and details.
Skills assessment from the assessing authority (Australia)
A suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation from its assessing authority, from the last 3 years.
English language test result
English test from the last 3 years: at least competent (IELTS 6 in each part); proficient or superior scores add points.
Degree certificate
Your degree and qualifications, as the assessing authority recognised them.
Employer reference or leave letter (NOC)
Reference letters for your skilled work in the last 10 years: employer, dates, hours (at least 20 a week) and duties.
Police character certificate
Police certificates from every country where you spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16; in Pakistan from the Senior Superintendent of Police.
Immigration medical exam (panel physician)
Medical examination, chest x-ray and, from 15, an HIV test and kidney function test with a Home Affairs panel physician.
Other vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA, e.g. meningococcal ACYW, influenza)
A polio (IPV) dose within 12 months of travel: the High Commission asks applicants from Pakistan for it, and missing it can delay or stop a visa.
Needed in some situations
Nikah Nama / Marriage Registration Certificate
Your marriage certificate, if your partner applies with you (and your partner's English results and skills assessment if you claim partner points).
Polio vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA)
Pakistan exit requirement, not a visa document: when you leave Pakistan you must show a NIMS/NADRA vaccination certificate including polio (the old paper card is no longer accepted, and since 14 September 2026 airports check a NADRA-integrated vaccination record). Verify current rules.
Can support your application
Transcript / detailed marks certificate
Transcripts and detailed marks certificates.
Salary slips
Payslips, tax records or bank statements showing that you were paid.
Where to apply in Pakistan
The mission does not take visa applications at its counter: you apply in the ways listed below.
Australian High Commission in Islamabad
High commissionConstitution Avenue and Ispahani Road, Diplomatic Enclave No. 1, Sector G-5/4, Islamabad
Does not take visa applications at its counter. You apply online in ImmiAccount, and the Department of Home Affairs decides. The High Commission takes no visa applications and answers no visa enquiries; if Home Affairs asks for your biometrics, give them at a VFS Global centre.
Ways to apply
Online portalApply online in ImmiAccount
Create an ImmiAccount, apply and pay online; you do not need to visit the High Commission or use an agent.
Visa centreAustralian Biometrics Collection Centre (VFS Global)
Only when Home Affairs asks for biometrics: walk in, no appointment, with your passport, photo ID and the letter. The centre charges a service fee.
In Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi
Health examinations are done by Home Affairs panel physicians in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, booked with the HAP ID from ImmiAccount.
How to apply, step by step
Check your occupation and get a skills assessment
Your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List. Apply to the assessing authority named for it; the assessment must be from the last 3 years when you are invited.
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189): points-tested streamTake an English test
Competent English means IELTS 6 in each part (PTE Academic 47, 48, 51 and 54); proficient (IELTS 7 in each) adds 10 points and superior (IELTS 8 in each) 20. Take it at a test centre: at-home tests are refused.
Competent EnglishSubmit an Expression of Interest
Lodge your EOI in SkillSelect: free, with no documents. Applicants are invited by points, highest first; ties go to whoever reached the score first.
SkillSelectWait for an invitation
In the 4 June 2026 round trades were invited at 65 points, while most professions needed 75 to 95; software engineers, accountants and civil, mechanical and electrical engineers were not invited in any 2025-26 round.
SkillSelect invitation roundsApply within 60 days
Apply in ImmiAccount and pay AUD 6,135, then do your health examinations (medical, chest x-ray and HIV test from 15) and police certificates from every country where you lived 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189): points-tested streamDecision
Applications from outside Australia are processed after priority sectors and applicants in Australia: in October 2026 Home Affairs was deciding offshore applications lodged in or before November 2025.
Skilled visa processing priorities
Questions people ask
How much does the Australian Skilled Independent visa (189) cost from Pakistan?
Visa application charge (main applicant): A$6,135 (about PKR 1,182,000); Each family member 18 or over: A$3,070 (about PKR 592,000); Each family member under 18: A$1,540 (about PKR 297,000); Second instalment (only without functional English): A$4,885 (about PKR 941,000). Fees change, so check the official fee page before you pay.
Current visa pricing (from 1 July 2026) (opens in a new tab)How long does the Australian Skilled Independent visa (189) take from Pakistan?
Recently decided applications: half within 61 days, 90% within 8 months. Offshore applications wait longer under the processing order.
Global visa processing times (opens in a new tab)What documents do I need for the Australian Skilled Independent visa (189) from Pakistan?
The usual documents are: Passport, Skills assessment from the assessing authority (Australia), English language test result, Degree certificate, Employer reference or leave letter (NOC), Police character certificate, Immigration medical exam (panel physician), and Other vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA, e.g. meningococcal ACYW, influenza). Depending on your situation, you may also need: Nikah Nama / Marriage Registration Certificate and Polio vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA).
Where do I apply for the Australian Skilled Independent visa (189) in Pakistan?
Australian High Commission in Islamabad does not take visa applications at its counter. Ways to apply: Apply online in ImmiAccount and Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (VFS Global).
How many points do I need for Australian PR from Pakistan?
The pass mark is 65, but invitations go to the highest scores: in the 4 June 2026 round trades were invited at 65 while most professions needed 75 to 95.
SkillSelect invitation rounds (opens in a new tab)Are software engineers and accountants being invited for the 189?
Not lately: software engineers, accountants and civil, mechanical and electrical engineers were not invited in any 2025-26 round. Check the latest round for your occupation before you pay for tests and assessments.
SkillSelect invitation rounds (opens in a new tab)How are points counted for age and English?
Age 25 to 32 gives 30 points; 18 to 24 and 33 to 39 give 25; 40 to 44 give 15. Proficient English (IELTS 7 in each part) adds 10 points and superior English (IELTS 8 in each) adds 20.
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189): points table (opens in a new tab)Can I apply for the 189 from Pakistan?
Yes, but applications from outside Australia are processed after priority sectors and applicants in Australia: in October 2026 Home Affairs was deciding offshore applications lodged in or before November 2025.
Skilled visa processing priorities (opens in a new tab)