Skilled Nominated Visa – Subclass 190 Visa

What is a 190 visa?

The Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190 visa) is a point-based permanent visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government. It allows skilled individuals to live and work in Australia as permanent residents.

Benefits of this visa:

Stay in Australia permanently.
Stay and work anywhere in Australia.
Access to the Australian healthcare scheme, Medicare.
Eligible for Australian citizenship (after meeting requirements).
Sponsor your family members or relatives for PR (if they meet the conditions).
Travel freely in and out of Australia for five years.

Eligibility Criteria for 190 Visa

You must be under 45 years of age.
You need to be nominated by an Australian state or territory government
Your job must be on Australia Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
Must obtain positive skill assessment for your occupation.
Must score a minimum of 65 points.
Must meet English language requirements.
Must meet Health and Character requirements.
If you owe money to the Australian Government, you must repay it or arranged to pay it back.
You must not have had a visa cancelled or your previous visa application denied.
Must hold a substantive visa or a Bridging Visa (A, B, or C) while applying within Australia.
If you currently hold 491 or 494 visa, then you must hold it for at least 3 years.

Application Process for Visa 190

Step 1: Confirm that your occupation is on the Australia Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

Step 2: Meet all the requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs for subclass 190

Step 3: Get your skills assessed by an appropriate assessment authority. You must obtain a positive skill assessment for subclass 190.

Step 4: Then submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect.

Step 5: Get nominated by a by state or territory government. You may need to submit a separate Registration of Interest (ROI) or application directly to the state or territory government's immigration portal.

Step 6: If a state or territory government selects you and your EOI is strong, you might get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the 190 visa from the Department of Home Affairs.

Step 7: Gather all the required documents and apply for the visa. You will be given 60 days deadline to lodge your visa application.

190 Visa Cost

Description	Amount (AUD)
190 Visa Primary Applicant	4,910.00
Additional Applicant Charge (18+)	2,455.00
Additional Applicant Charge (Under 18)	1,230.00
GST	0.00
Total	8,595.00

190 Visa Processing Time

The processing time for 190 visas varies depending upon the various factors, including application volume, individual circumstances, or new updates in immigration policies:

Processing Stage	Estimated Timeframe (2025)
State Nomination Processing	1-6 months (varies by state)
Invitation to Apply (ITA)	1-12 months (depends on occupation demand & points)
Visa Application Processing	4-12 months
90% of applications finalized	Within 18 months (as per DHA)
50% of applications finalized	Within 14 months (as per DHA)

Frequently Asked Questions?

Can I include my family members on my 190-visa application?

You can include your partner or spouse, and dependent children in the 190-visa application if they meet the requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs.

Is it possible to switch states after being granted a 190 visa?

You and your eligible family members must stay in Australia for the first two years in the nominating state and then you can relocate anywhere in Australia.

Do I need a job offer to apply for the Subclass 190 visa?

No, you don’t need a job offer for visa 190. This visa requires nomination for Australian state or territory. Keep in mind that each state or territory has its own specific criteria for nomination.

What is the English language requirement for the 190 visa?

Here is table showing the English requirements for the visa 190:

Test	Score
IELTS	Minimum score of 6. 0 in all four bands
PTE	Minimum score of 50 in all four components
TOEFL iBT	Overall score of 64, with a minimum score of 12 in Listening, 13 in Reading, 21 in Writing, and 18 in Speaking

Can I apply for the Subclass 190 visa from outside Australia?

Yes, you can apply for a Subclass 190 visa from overseas. This visa is for skilled workers who have been nominated by an Australian state or territory.

If you are applying while you are in Australia, you need to have a Bridging visa A, B, or C. If you don’t, your application will not be accepted.

Are candidates older than 45 eligible for the 190 visa?

If you are older than 45, you are not eligible to apply for Subclass 190 visa. Instead, you can look for other PR visas such as the 482 visa or DAMA.

How many points are needed for the 190 visa?

A minimum of 65 points is required for a skilled nominated visa (visa 190).

Do I need an employer to sponsor me for a 190 visa?

Subclass 190 visa is a state or territory-nominated visa, not an employer sponsored visa. To be eligible, you must have an occupation on a relevant skilled list and meet the specific nomination criteria of the state or territory.