General Skilled Visas for Australia – your options for permanent residency

Not all visas are created equal. So here is a basic breakdown of the 189 and 190 General Skilled visa pathways.If you’re hoping to migrate to Australia permanently, the skilled migration stream is an excellent option. It is a permanent visa (PR) which allows you to work or live anywhere in Australia.

You don’t need a sponsor or nominator and, in some cases, you don’t need a job either. It’s a points-based visa, which means you calculate points based on age, education, work experience etc. You need a minimum of 65 points.

Your skilled migration visa optons for Australia

There are two options options for the skilled migration pathway to permanent residency:

1. Skilled Independent (189 visa); or
2. State/Territory Nominated (190 visa) visa.

In addition, there is also a Regional Visa (Subclass 491) which is a 5-year visa, which offers the option to apply for PR after three years.

Requirements for a Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

• You need to be under 45
• Points based with a minimum of 65 points
• Your occupation needs to be on the skilled occupation list
• Pass a Skills Assessment in your occupation
• Have competent English
• Submit an Expression of Interest to the Federal Government

Then you wait to be invited to apply for the visa

Requirements for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 190)

This is a state based visa so you are invited to apply by the individual states.

You need to satisfy the Department of Home Affairs requirements and the individual State requirements as follows:

• Be under 45
• Have Competent English
• Points based- at least 65 but in some states you need more. You get an extra 5 points for 190 applications
• Pass a Skills Assessment in your occupation
• Submit an Expression of Interest to the State Government
• Must commit to live and work in the State

Different States have different rules and occupation lists. Invites are more frequent for 190 visa.

Requirements for the Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

This is a five-year visa, however,  you are eligible to apply for permanent residency after three years. You need to satisfy the following:

• Occupation must be on regional skilled list
• Pass a skills assessment
• Satisfy points test (you do get extra points for regional areas)
• Commit to live and work in Regional area
• Be nominated to apply by a state
• Be invited to apply

What’s Next

To find out which is the right visa pathway for you, book a specialist visa consultation. The consultation costs €120 and puts you in touch with our Australian migration specialist partner Power Visas. Start the process by filling in the form below.

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