Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): Complete Guide for Nigerians ₦6,561,569
The complete Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) guide for Nigerians moving to Australia. Verified 2026 fees, full timeline, document checklist, and an expert tip we have personally validated. Everything you need to know before you apply.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) fees — verified breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee | ₦4,806,401 (~$3,523 USD) |
| Proof of funds (your own savings)Not required | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Health surcharge | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Language test (IELTS/TEF) | ₦288,776 (~$212 USD) |
| Credential evaluation | ₦1,466,393 (~$1,075 USD) |
| Total government fees | ₦6,561,569 (~$4,810 USD) |
Verified against official immigration authority schedule. Exchange rates as of 3 June 2026. Proof of funds is your own money — you do not pay it to the government.
Processing timeline
Total processing time: 6–12 months (from invitation to grant)
- 1
Confirm eligibility
Check that you meet the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) requirements before paying any fees.
- 2
Prepare documents
Passport, qualification certificates, language test result, credential evaluation report.
- 3
Pay fees
Pay ₦6,561,569 in government fees.
- 4
Submit application
Submit online or through the relevant embassy.
- 5
Wait for decision
Processing time: 6–12 months (from invitation to grant).
Expert tip
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
The 189 visa has no employer or state sponsor requirement — it's the gold standard for permanent residency. But the minimum 65 points is a myth in practice: recent invitation rounds for popular occupations like software engineers and accountants required 85–95+ points. You earn points for age (25–32 is the sweet spot at 30 points), English (Superior English via PTE/IELTS gives 20 points), and experience. Skills assessment costs vary: ACS (IT) charges A$1,498, Engineers Australia charges A$539 (Accord) to A$1,311 (CDR + fast-track), and VETASSESS (general) charges A$1,096 standard to A$1,921 priority (updated October 2025). Budget 8–16 weeks for the assessment alone. The 189 is uncapped by state — you can live and work anywhere in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) cost for Nigerians moving to Australia?
- Total government fees for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) are ₦6,561,569 (about $4,810). This includes the visa application fee, health surcharge, language test, and credential evaluation where applicable.
- How long does Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) processing take from Nigeria?
- Processing time for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) for Nigerian applicants is 6–12 months (from invitation to grant).
- What is the most important tip for Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) applicants from Nigeria?
- The 189 visa has no employer or state sponsor requirement — it's the gold standard for permanent residency. But the minimum 65 points is a myth in practice: recent invitation rounds for popular occupations like software engineers and accountants required 85–95+ points. You earn points for age (25–32 is the sweet spot at 30 points), English (Superior English via PTE/IELTS gives 20 points), and experience. Skills assessment costs vary: ACS (IT) charges A$1,498, Engineers Australia charges A$539 (Accord) to A$1,311 (CDR + fast-track), and VETASSESS (general) charges A$1,096 standard to A$1,921 priority (updated October 2025). Budget 8–16 weeks for the assessment alone. The 189 is uncapped by state — you can live and work anywhere in Australia.
Related guides
Sibling variants of this visa route and other ways into Australia.
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Start Free CalculatorData methodology: Visa fees sourced from official immigration authority schedules. Naira conversions use live exchange rates from open.er-api.com (last updated 3 June 2026). All fees are subject to change with policy updates — verify with the official immigration website before applying. Last verified: 2026-06-02