Subclass 190
Permanent visa for invited skilled workers who are nominated by a State or Territory government.
The 190 Skilled Nominated Visa
The Subclass 190 visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian State or Territory government. It allows you to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely, though it carries an expectation that you will live and work in the nominating state for your first two years.
State nomination provides a 5-point advantage, which can be the deciding factor in receiving an invitation.
State/Territory Nominated Stream
What it is for: For skilled workers nominated by a state or territory government to address specific local skills shortages.
What it allows: Immediate Permanent Residency; full work and study rights; family inclusion; and access to Medicare and social security benefits.
Key Requirements:
- Be formally invited to apply following a state nomination.
- Satisfy the minimum points requirement (65 points minimum).
- Nominate an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) orthe Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
- Meet the specific nomination criteria set by the chosen state (such as living/working in that state or having a job offer).
Length of Stay: Permanent.
Income Threshold: While the visa grant does not have a legislative income threshold, some states (like NSW or Victoria) may require evidence of a minimum salary or a job offer in your field to be eligible for their nomination.
Qualifying Visa: You can apply from inside or outside Australia; no specific prior visa is required.
Maintaining compliance
There are professional and moral obligations tied to your state nomination:
- State Residency Commitment: You generally sign an agreement with the nominating state to live and work there for at least the first two years after your visa is granted.
- Initial Entry Date: If granted offshore, you must enter Australia by the Initial Entry Date on your grant letter.
- Travel Facility: Your visa includes a 5-year travel facility. After 5 years, you must apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) if you plan to travel and re-enter Australia as a resident.
The 190 Application Process
Skills & English
Secure a positive skills assessment and achieve your target English score to maximise your points.
EOI & State Nomination
Submit an EOI via SkillSelect and apply for nomination to your chosen State or Territory.
Invitation to Apply
Once the State nominates you, the Department of Home Affairs issues an official invitation to apply for the visa.
Visa Lodgement
Once invited, you have 60 days to lodge your final visa application with the Department of Home Affairs, providing all documents to prove the claims made in your EOI.
For 190 Visa Applicants
The Subclass 190 is a strategic choice for applicants who need a 5-point boost to become competitive in the invitation pool. Since this is an independent permanent visa, the accuracy of your EOI is essential. A common reason for refusal is incorrectly calculating a "skilled employment date," which leads to over-claiming points in the Expression of Interest (EOI). At Immilex we assess your EOI to ensure your claims are verifiable before you proceed with an application.
It is important to include family members in your application. If you wish to bring a partner or child after your 190 visa is granted, you will need to utilise the separate Family Migration pathways, which often involve higher costs and longer processing times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cut-offs vary by state and occupation. Priority sectors often see invitations at 70- 80 points, while highly competitive sectors may require 85-95+ points.
Yes. One of the primary advantages of the 190 over the 189 is that it allows for occupations on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), provided a state iscurrently nominating that role.
Legally, the190 is a permanent visa with no geographic "condition" like the 491. However, most states require a moral commitment to live and work there for two years. Failing to do so may affect your ability to get future state support or, in rare cases, raise questions about the "genuineness" of your nomination.
Secure Your Future with State Support
The 190 visa is a powerful pathway to permanent residency. Contact us at Immilex for assessment of your points and a technical strategy to secure your state nomination.