190 Skilled Nominated Visa

Looking to live and work in Australia permanently, but don’t have an employer to sponsor you? For skilled workers, a 190 skilled nominated visa can be a great option. The 190 visa allows workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government to move to Australia permanently. In this guide, we’ll explain what a 190 visa is, the application criteria, and how the 190 visa process works.

What is a 190 Visa?

A 190 is a points tested skilled visa, that is linked to a particular state or territory. It is a skilled nominated visa, which means you must be nominated by a state or territory in order to apply. Applicants submit expressions of interests to particular states or territories, which then identify and select skilled workers that they wish to nominate for the visa.

Once you receive a 190, you will need to live and work in the nominating state for at least two years after the visa grant.

Those who have been granted a 190 skilled nominated visa become permanent residents, and enjoy all the rights that accompany PR status.

What are the requirements for a 190 visa?

190 visas have not one, but two sets of requirements. First, there is the eligibility requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs. Second, there is also individual assessment criteria applied by each state or territory when they consider your expression of interest.

To meet the Department requirements for the 190 visa, you must:

• Have an occupation which appears on the relevant skilled occupation list
• Have a positive skills assessment for this occupation
• Meet the points test benchmark of 60 points
• Be invited to apply
• Be under 45 years at the time of application
• Have Competent English (IELTS band 6 or greater)

A Points Tested Visa

Applicants for the 190 visa are allocated a certain number of points based on personal criteria that includes work experience, qualifications, English level, and age. Like other skilled visas, the 190 is points tested, requiring a minimum of 60 points in order to qualify. You can check how many points you might be awarded in our points tester here.

An Occupation on the Relevant Skilled Occupation List

To apply for a 190 visa, you must identify an occupation on the state or territory list for the regions you are interested in. You will then need to meet the skills and qualifications requirements within this occupation.

Individual State and Territory Requirements

As well as the Department requirements, each state and territory has its own individual requirements that applicants must meet.

Individual states and territories may have their own occupation requirements which reflect their needs, and the critical skills shortages they have identified.

Some states and territories also require a prior period of residency within their borders, whereas others require proof of first-hand research into residency and job opportunities. For example, if you are applying from onshore, the state of Tasmania requires that either you have met the Australian study requirement in Tasmania, or that you were working in Tasmania for three months immediately prior to your expression of interest for nomination.

What is the process for applying for a 190 visa?

The process for applying for a 190 skilled nominated visa goes as follows:

1. Contact your preferred states or territories to discuss their nomination processes and requirements.
2. Select an occupation from the relevant list, which is also accepted by the state or territories you are applying for.
3. Attain a positive skills assessment in that occupation.
4. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), selecting the states and territories you would like to apply for. Your EOI will remain in the system for two years.
5. Receive a nomination, and be invited to apply
6. Lodge your visa application

While you are waiting to be nominated, you will not be eligible for a bridging visa, so if you are planning to stay in Australia during this time, you will need to think ahead about migration status.