Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
The 190 visa allows highly skilled workers nominated by an Australian State or Territory to live and work permanently in Australia. To apply, you must first obtain a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation and then lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI). If your EOI is successful and you receive a nomination, you will be invited to apply for the visa.
This visa is points-based, allowing skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory to live and work as permanent residents in Australia.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Have a relevant occupation on the 190 visa occupation list
- Obtain a suitable skills assessment for your occupation
- Meet the points test pass mark of 65 points
- Be nominated by a state or territory government agency
- Lodge an EOI and be invited to apply
- Be aged between 18 and 44
- Have Competent English
- Meet health and character requirements
Process Overview:
Nomination by a State or Territory Government
Each State and Territory Government has its own list of occupations in demand and may have specific requirements regarding work experience, English language ability, or specialized skills.
- Submit an EOI via SkillSelect: Provide details of your nominated occupation, skills, and qualifications. SkillSelect will calculate a points score, and if you score high enough, state and territory governments may nominate you.
- Invitation to Apply: If nominated, you’ll receive an invitation to apply for the visa. You have 60 days to submit your application, after which your visa application will be processed.
To view current processing times for the 190 visa, click here.
Points Score:
You must meet the points score specified in your invitation letter, which will be at least 65 points. The score is based on the information provided in your EOI, and you must be able to meet this score at the time you’re invited to apply for the visa. You can check how many points you might earn using the points table, which assesses factors like:
- English language ability
- Skilled employment
- Qualifications
- Australian study requirement
- Specialist education requirement
- Partner points
- Other factors
Can You Apply from Australia or Overseas?
You can submit your EOI and apply for the 190 visa either from Australia or overseas. If applying from within Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging A, B, or C visa. A bridging visa will allow you to stay in Australia while your application is processed. However, if your current visa is refused or canceled, you may not be eligible to apply for the 190 visa while in Australia.
State and Territory Requirements:
Each state and territory has its own list of occupations, requirements, and nomination processes. You should review the specific requirements for the state or territory that you are interested in. More information on state and territory nominations is available.
Assessing Authorities:
Use the assessing authority listed against your nominated occupation in the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations.
Benefits of the 190 Visa:
This is a permanent visa that allows you to:
- Stay in Australia indefinitely
- Work and study in Australia
- Enroll in Medicare, Australia’s healthcare system
- Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
- Travel to and from Australia for five years
- Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
How VisaEnvoy Can Help:
At VisaEnvoy, we specialize in managing general skilled visa applications and can assist you with:
- Obtaining your skills assessment
- Securing a nomination from a State or Territory Government
- Preparing your relative sponsorship application
- Lodging and monitoring your visa application
- Corresponding with assessing authorities and the Department of Immigration
- Managing your bridging visas
For a personalized eligibility assessment of your Skilled Nominated Subclass 190 visa application, please book an immigration consultation.
Including Family Members:
You can include your partner, and your or your partner’s child or step-child in your application. Family members granted the visa will have the same rights as you.
Obligations:
You and your family members must comply with Australian laws and visa obligations. You can check your visa conditions in VEVO. You also have obligations toward the state or territory that nominates you.
Travel:
You can travel in and out of Australia as many times as you like for five years after the visa is granted.
Cost:
The visa costs from AUD 4,640, with additional costs possible.
Application Stages:
1. Initial Eligibility Assessment:
We will conduct an initial assessment of your eligibility by reviewing your qualifications, work experience, English language proficiency, and other relevant factors to determine whether you are likely to meet the visa requirements. We will also assess which occupation(s) you can nominate and whether you might qualify for a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority. Based on this, we will provide comprehensive advice on your ability to meet the minimum standards required for an invitation to apply.
2. Skills Assessment:
If our initial assessment indicates that you are eligible, we will prepare your skills assessment application. Each skilled occupation on the STSOL and MLTSSL has a designated assessing authority. We will provide a full list of required documents and information, and once everything is provided, we will lodge your application with the applicable authority.
3. Expression of Interest:
After obtaining a positive skills assessment, we will prepare and lodge your EOI, specifying the state or territory you wish to nominate your visa application. You must be able to provide evidence that the information in your EOI is accurate at the time of your visa invitation. If your EOI is successful and you receive a nomination, you will be invited to lodge a visa application.
Note: DHA retains your EOI for two years, during which time it can be updated if your circumstances change. If your ranking changes during this period, you may be invited to apply for the visa.
4. State/Territory Nomination:
Once your EOI is lodged, the state or territory government agency will review it to determine if you meet their criteria for nomination, including whether your occupation is on their skilled occupation list. We will provide the necessary evidence to support your application. If acceptable, the agency will nominate you for the 190 visa.
5. Visa Application:
After securing a state or territory nomination, and receiving an invitation from DHA, we will prepare and lodge your visa application within the specified timeframe. The application must include all supporting documents related to your EOI, such as your skills assessment, English language test results, qualifications, and work references.
If your visa application is approved, you will be granted a permanent visa, regardless of whether you are in Australia or overseas at the time.