Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

1. Can I move to a different state after getting the 190 visa?

The Subclass 190 visa itself has no legal restrictions on movement – you have the right to live anywhere in Australia once granted permanent residency.

However, there’s a moral obligation:

• States expect you to live and work in the nominating state for at least 2 years
• This is a commitment you make when accepting state nomination
• Moving too early could affect future visa applications or citizenship character assessments
• No visa condition enforces this (unlike 491 visa with condition 8579)

2. How is the Subclass 190 different from the Subclass 189?

Both are points-tested permanent residence visas with similar eligibility criteria, but key differences exist:

Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated):

• Requires state/territory nomination
• Adds 5 points to your score
• Expected to live in nominating state for 2 years
• More accessible for candidates with 70-80 points
• State-specific occupation lists
• Two-stage process (state nomination + federal visa)

Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent):

• No state nomination required
• No bonus points from nomination
• Complete freedom from day one
• More competitive (often requires 75-85+ points)
• Federal occupation list only
• Single-stage EOI process

3. How long does the Subclass 190 visa take to process?

The timeline varies based on occupation, state nomination, and application completeness.

Typical timeframes:

• State nomination: Few weeks to several months (depends on state)
• After invitation: 60 days to lodge application
• Visa processing: 6-12 months average after lodgement
• Priority occupations: 1-3 months (healthcare, teaching, critical sectors)
• Non-priority occupations: 14-22 months in some cases

4. What if I don’t get invited or nominated?

If your EOI doesn’t receive state nomination, you have several options:

Strategies to improve chances:

• Increase your points: Retake English test for higher score (+10-20 points), gain more work experience, complete Professional Year program, obtain partner skills assessment
• Try different states: Apply to multiple states that accept your occupation
• Consider 491 visa: Regional sponsored visa offers 15 bonus points and may be easier to obtain
• Gain Australian experience: Study or work in Australia to become more competitive
• Change occupation: If you’re qualified in multiple fields, nominate a less competitive occupation
• Wait and update: Your EOI remains active for 2 years – keep updating with improvements

5. Can I include my family in the 190 visa application?

Yes! You can include immediate family members in your application, and they receive the same PR benefits.

Eligible family members:

• Spouse or de facto partner
• Dependent children (under 18, or 18-23 if studying full-time and dependent)
• Children with disabilities over 18 (in limited circumstances)
• Step-children and adopted children (if dependent)

Requirements:

• All family members must meet health and character requirements
• Relationship evidence required (marriage certificate, birth certificates)
• Additional visa fees apply for each family member
• Family members receive same visa grant date and PR status
• Must be declared even if not migrating

6. What are the benefits of permanent residency with the 190 visa?

The 190 visa grants full Australian permanent residence from day one with comprehensive benefits:

Your rights as a permanent resident:

• Indefinite stay: Live in Australia permanently with no time limits
• Work freedom: Work for any employer, in any role, anywhere in Australia
• Study rights: Domestic student fees (much cheaper than international), access to HECS-HELP loans
• Medicare: Free public healthcare and subsidized medicines
• Social security: Access to benefits after waiting periods
• Sponsor relatives: Bring family members to Australia
• Travel: 5-year travel facility (renewable)
• Citizenship pathway: Apply for citizenship after 4 years
• Children: Any child born in Australia is automatically a citizen