190 Visa | State/Territory Nominated Visa Subclass 190
Are you a skilled professional exploring non-employer-sponsored work visa options that allow you to live and work in Australia permanently? Or is your business interested in engaging skilled migrants that have already secured Permanent Residence? Not all work visas require employer sponsorship. Interstaff may be able to help you apply for a 190 Visa to Australia.
Skilled professionals may be interested in migrating to Australia independently and similarly, businesses may wish to engage Independent Skilled 190 Visa holders, who have already obtained Permanent Residence in Australia by meeting a points test set by the Government. Independent Skilled 190 Visa holders have been approved for Permanent Residence by meeting several Points-tested requirements based on their age, English language ability, work experience, and qualifications in an eligible skilled occupation. It’s also important to know that State and Territory Skilled Occupation Lists, which include the eligible occupations for this visa, can change from time to time to represent skills in shortage in the Australian economy. Here’s what you should know about this visa.
The State/Territory Nominated Visa 190 Visa
State/Territory Nominated 190 Visa holders have achieved a certain score on their points-test enabling them to be invited for nomination by a State or Territory government agency. The Skilled Occupation Lists for each State and Territory are different and the nomination requirements also vary. 190 Visa holders are obliged to live in their nominating State or Territory for a specified minimum time. Our migration agents can provide advice on the different State and Territory requirements during a consultation.
Can I apply for a 190 Visa?
The 190 Visa is a points-tested visa, which can only be applied for after receiving an invitation from the Government.
Here’s a summary of the process:
- Potential applicants whose occupation is on a relevant Skilled Occupation List can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to let the Government know of their intention to apply for an Independent Skilled 190 Visa.
- Once the EOI is submitted, applicants will be ranked against others that have lodged an EOI for their occupation. The EOI will be stored in the system and is valid for 2 years.
- Before receiving an invitation to apply for a visa, the EOI can be updated at any time if circumstances change. For example, if the applicant has gained new qualifications that can add to their points score and improve their ranking.
- Invitations are issued regularly via ‘invitation rounds’.
Generally, the minimum score to receive an invitation for Independent Skilled Visas is 65 points, however, this does vary according to the occupation a person is applying under. The Expression of Interest process is highly competitive and you may need even more points than the minimum required for your occupation – especially if others apply with more points than you. This is because invitations are issued based on points rankings. Applicants must obtain a positive skills assessment and provide this when they lodge their application. They will also need to achieve a ‘competent’ level of English and be under 45 years of age at the time they receive the invitation. After receiving an invitation to apply for a 190 Visa, a person can proceed with preparing the visa application.
Like many other visas, the Department of Home Affairs requires the main applicant and any dependent family members who apply for a 190 Visa to meet specific health and character requirements. The applicants may need to have health examinations to prove they meet the health requirement. To prove that the applicants have good character, the Department of Home Affairs may also request documents such as police certificates. The visa applicant will also need to pay any debts to the Australian Government if any funds are owed. Applicants who have had a visa cancelled or refused may be ineligible for this visa and may wish to seek professional migration advice.
Can I include family on this Visa application?
190 Visa applicants can include their spouse and/or dependent children in the application at the time of lodgement or before the visa decision is made by the Department of Home Affairs. Conditions and age limits apply. Applicants can be onshore or offshore when the visa application is lodged.
What can you do on a 190 Skilled Independent Visa? | Features and Benefits
Once the 190 visa is granted, it allows the visa holders to stay in Australia permanently, meaning they can live, work and study in Australia, enrol in Australia’s public healthcare scheme, Medicare, sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia, and apply for Australian citizenship if eligible. They can also travel to and from Australia as many times as they like for 5 years from the date their visa is granted and apply for a Resident Return Visa after 5 years if they want to travel after the initial 5-year travel provision.
Interstaff | Australian Skilled Migration Specialists Since 1988
Our migration agents would be happy to assess your eligibility for Permanent Residence through a 190 Visa or Independent Skilled Migration pathways. We begin by reviewing your skills, experience, and qualifications and then advise on the options available and the requirements for applying. During a consultation, our migration agent will also provide advice on how you can maximise your points and any visa conditions that you may need to be aware of. After the consultation, you can choose to engage our services to manage your visa application and receive ongoing advice on how to prepare the evidence requirements.
If you would like to understand your options to migrate to Australia through a 190 Visa or Independent Skilled Visa pathways, we encourage you to get in touch with Interstaff’s Registered Migration Agents on 1800 449 858 (Free Call Within Australia) or +61 8 9221 3388 for International clients.
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“Thanks for making things relatively easy in comparison to other agencies. I will definitely be putting business your way should I find anyone in need of help. Thanks so much.”
John, General Skilled Migration