Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

Skilled Nominated Visa

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This visa allows you to work in Australia under nomination by state or government.

This is a permanent visa that may be right for you if you have an educational background and/or work experience that is directly relevant to an occupation that is listed on the “Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List” (MLTSSL) or the “Short-Term Skilled Occupation List” (STSOL).

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190), one must meet specific criteria. It may vary from case to case, but you will most likely need to meet the following. Skilled Nominated Visa Applicants will need to have a trade or profession on the skilled occupation list, obtain a positive skills assessment, meet the minimum points threshold, and be nominated by an Australian state or territory. Additionally, they will need to provide a lot of paperwork to prove their identity and character.

To be eligible for this visa, you must:

  1. Be nominated by an Australian State or Territory Government. Each State or Territory Government will only consider nominating you if you have an educational background and/or work experience that is relevant to an occupation on their State or Territory Skilled Occupation List. Each State and Territory has varying eligible occupations on their respective Skilled Occupation Lists which we can inform you of.
  2. Meet the pass mark in the skilled migration points test, which is currently 60 points. You can be awarded points for a number of factors, most commonly, your age, your educational qualifications, your work experience and your English language ability, though points are also awarded for a range of other factors. We can advise you as to whether you meet the Points test after an initial discussion with you.
  3. Be aged between 18 and 44 (inclusive)
  4. Nominate an occupation on the MLTSSL or STSOL
  5. Pass a “Skills Assessment” in your nominated occupation with the relevant skills assessment authority
  6. Sit an English language exam to show that you have “Competent” English or higher, meaning you must score 6.0 or more on all four components of the IELTS test, or an equivalent score on another English language test accepted by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP).
  7. Meet health and character requirements.

Skills Assessment

All applicants need to pass a skills assessment. The skills assessment authority which will assess your skills depends on what occupation you are applying under.

The eligibility criteria for each skills assessment authority is different.  For the majority of skills assessment authorities, the assessment will be based on the applicant’s qualifications and work experience, though in some cases English language ability and registration in Australia is required.

Invitation Only

The visa is by invitation only. You must first lodge an “Expression of Interest” with the DIBP and then be invited to apply for the visa by the DIBP after a State or Territory government has nominated you.

Where you can lodge an application

You can lodge the visa either inside or outside of Australia. If you lodge the application in Australia, you will be granted a Bridging Visa which will allow you to stay in Australia until your visa application is finalised. If you lodge your application in Australia, you must be in Australia for the visa to be granted.

If you lodge your application outside of Australia, you must be outside of Australia for the visa to be granted.

Application Process

There are several steps involved when applying for a Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190). Here is what you can expect from the application process:

EOI – The first step is to submit an expression of interest (EOI) with SkillSelect and list your skills, qualifications, and experience.

Obtain Nomination – The next step is to obtain the nomination from the state or territory. This will be different depending on each area.

Invitation to Apply – If you are nominated, you will receive an invitation to apply for the Skilled Nominated Visa.

Lodge Application – It is then time to fill out the Skilled Nominated Visa application form and gather all necessary paperwork. This process can be tricky, and it is highly recommended that you seek professional advice.

Health and Character Checks – A healthcare professional will need to carry out an examination to identify any areas of concern, and you will need to show you are of good character.

The Decision – The processing time for the application will vary depending on several circumstances, but as long as the application was filled out correctly, it should be fine.

State and Territory Nomination

This is a fundamental part of the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) process. Each state and territory will have their own criteria and occupation list, so it is crucial to do a little research before applying. If you are unsure if the Skilled Nominated Visa is for you, The Immigration Lawyers are here to help. Check out our citizenship services page or contact us today.

Contact Us

Our experienced immigration lawyers have handled many successful Skilled Nominated Visa applications. We will ensure your application is given the best prospects of success.

We offer all our prospective clients an initial meeting, during which we will thoroughly explain the law surrounding this visa to you and inform you of the process moving forward.

To organise an initial consultation with us, please contact one of our experienced immigration lawyers on (02) 9590 3987.

FAQs

What is the difference between a Skilled Independent and a Skilled Nominated Visa?

The primary difference is that the Skilled independent visa doesn’t require a state or territory nomination like the Skilled Nominated Visa does.

Which Skilled Visa is Easiest for Australia?

Several factors impact Australian visa applications, so it is best to talk to a professional to find out which ones are right for you.

Does a 190 visa lead to PR?

It certainly can! The Skilled Nominated Visa grants PR, allowing applicants to live, work, and study indefinitely.

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