The Skilled Nominated Visa – Subclass 190 is one of the most sought-after visa categories in Australia. The Visa involves a specific state/territory to nominate the applicant. The 190 Visa is part of the General Skilled migration program. Subclass 190 is a permanent visa that allows the applicant to indefinitely live and work in Australia.  

This article provides essential information on the Skilled Nominated Visa – Subclass 190 in Australia. Key information in this article: 

• Benefits of the 190 Visa 

• Eligibility criteria for the 190 Visa  

• 190 Visa application steps 

• Common challenges of the 190 Visa  

• Tips for applying for the 190 Visa  

Benefits of the 190 Visa

• Permanent Visa: The Skilled Nominated visa – Subclass 190 is a Permanent Visa and allows the applicant to live and work in Australia indefinitely.  

• Sponsorship benefits: The 190 Visa does not require employer or family sponsorship. For the 190 Skilled Nominated visa, the applicant’s state/territory nominates them for a visa. 

• Ability to add family members: The 190 Visa allows applicants to include certain family members in their application.  

• Pathway to Citizenship – The 190 Skilled Nominated Visa allows the applicant to apply for Citizenship, if they satisfy the Department’s conditions.  

Eligibility criteria for the 190 Visa

• Occupation requirements: Your occupation must be on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).  

• Skills Assessment – You must hold a positive Skills Assessment from a relevant authority at the time of your application.  

• English language requirements – You need to demonstrate competent English to be eligible to apply for the Skilled Nominated Visa – Subclass 190.  

• Minimum points requirement– You must hold a minimum of 65 points under the points test system to apply for the 190 Visa.  

• Age requirements – You must be less than 45 years old at the time of the application.  

• Health and character requirements – You must satisfy the Australian health and character requirements to apply for the 190 Visa.   

190 Visa application steps 

• Conduct eligibility test – Before applying for the Visa, you must be sure that you meet the eligibility criteria. To avoid any delays or rejections, contact us today and we can guide you on your journey. 

• Receive a positive Skills Assessment – You must have a positive Skills Assessment from a relevant authority to apply for the Visa. A verified Skills Assessment confirms your educational and work qualifications to the Department.  

• Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) – You must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to be invited to apply for the 190 Visa. Submitting an EOI is free, but please note that an EOI is not a guarantee that you will be invited to apply for the 190 Visa.  

• Wait for an invitation – You must be invited by your state/territory to apply for the Visa.  We recommend you explore potential visa options suited to you, as you may be eligible for other Visas including the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program.  

• Apply for the 190 Visa – You can apply for the Skilled Nominated 190 Visa once you are invited by your state/territory. Each Visa has different processing times, and it is important to understand your visa conditions while you wait to know your rights. 

Common challenges of 190 Visa 

• Document preparation – Similar to other visas, the Skilled Nominated 190 Visa requires you to fill in detailed information including education proof, work experience, English proficiency requirements, identity proof and more. You are required to provide accurate, verified, valid and complete documents to avoid refusals or cancellations.  

• Points calculation – Although the minimum points requirement is 65 points, the points cut off for your occupation may be high. At the same time, it is important to calculate your points correctly. We recommend getting in touch with professionals to avoid any miscalculation.  

• Processing times – Processing times for the 190 Visa depends on your occupation’s demand, the total points, your state/territories priorities, the total EOIs submitted, and the quota allocated for the financial year.  

Tips for applying for the 190 Visa   

• Timely preparation – Applying for a 190 Skilled Nominated Visa involves several steps. We recommend advanced planning for your application by focusing on the eligibility criteria and ensuring you work through all the steps in detail. You can start by applying for a Skills assessment, sitting your English test and collating essential documents.  

• Stay informed – You should regularly check the official state/territory and Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) website to stay updated with migration and visa changes. 

• Maximise your points – It is advised to maximise your points total as the Skilled Nominated 190 Visa is point tested. You can maximise your score by taking one of the standardised tests such as IELTS or PTE.  

• Seek professional advice – To navigate the extensive process of the 190 Visa, we advise you to get in touch with an experienced agent who can support you on your Australian Permanent Residency journey.  

To summarise, the 190 can be a competitive process as it grants applicants permanent working and living rights in Australia. For the 190 Visa, your state/territory must nominate you and invite you to apply for the visa. Applicants can also include certain family members in the application and the visa offers potential Citizenship pathway.  

With the support of our experienced and registered migration agents at Questra, you can:  

• Understand the 190 Visa’s eligibility criteria  

• Navigate any potential challenges  

• Be assured that you are getting the right support