Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) – A Detailed Guide

The Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) is a popular pathway for skilled professionals seeking to live and work in Australia. This guide provides a comprehensive understanding of the benefits, eligibility criteria, conditions, and the application process for this visa.

Benefits of the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)

As a holder of the Skilled Nominated Visa, you can enjoy a number of privileges:

1. Permanent Residency: This visa allows you to live, work, and study in Australia permanently, giving you the freedom to establish a life in the country without constant visa renewals.
2. Work and Study: You’re free to undertake any form of employment or education in Australia, allowing you to pursue your career and personal development.
3. Healthcare: You have the right to enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare, ensuring you and your family have access to necessary health services.
4. Family Sponsorship: You can sponsor eligible relatives to come and reside permanently in Australia, offering the opportunity for family reunification.
5. Travel Privileges: For five years from the date of visa grant, you’re free to travel in and out of Australia. This provides flexibility for personal or professional commitments overseas.
6. Citizenship Eligibility: You can apply for Australian citizenship if you meet specific conditions, such as residing in Australia for four consecutive years.
7. Including Family Members: The visa enables you to include immediate family members in your application. This includes your spouse or de facto partner, your or your partner’s child who is not married or in a de facto relationship and is dependent on you or your partner, and the dependent child of the child above.

Eligibility Criteria for the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)

The eligibility criteria ensure only qualified individuals are granted the visa:

1. Occupation: Your occupation must be on the skilled occupation list for the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa, ensuring your skills are in demand in Australia.
2. Points Test: You must score at least 65 points on the points-based system. Points are awarded based on criteria such as age, English language ability, skilled employment experience, and educational qualifications.
3. State or Territory Nomination: You must be invited to apply by an Australian state or territory government, demonstrating that your skills are needed in that particular region.
4. Skills Assessment: You must have a completed skills assessment, ensuring that your skills meet the standards required for your nominated occupation.
5. Age: You must be aged between 18 and 45 when you apply, ensuring you can contribute to the Australian economy for a significant period.
6. English Language Skills: You must demonstrate sufficient English language skills, allowing you to integrate into Australian society and the workplace.
7. Health Examination: You must pass a health examination to ensure you do not pose a risk to public health in Australia.
8. Character Requirement: You must meet the character requirement, which involves providing police certificates for any country you’ve lived in for a total of 12 months or more in the past 10 years.

Travel Component and Visa Re-grant:

While you can stay in Australia indefinitely, the travel component of the visa expires after five years from the date of visa grant. Once the five-year travel component of the visa expires, you’ll need a Resident Return Visa (Subclasses 155 and 157) to return to Australia as a permanent resident.

5. Family Members Inclusion:

If you wish to include your family members in your visa application, they must be included at the time of application or can be added after you’ve submitted your application but before the visa is granted. The same conditions and restrictions of the Visa subclass 190 apply to your family members. They will have the same rights as you and will need to adhere to the same rules.

Who can apply?

The subclass 190 visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory. You need to have an occupation that is on the skilled occupation list for this visa, score at least 65 points on the points-based system, be aged between 18 and 45 when you apply, have sufficient English language skills, pass a health examination, and meet the character requirement. You also have to be invited to apply by an Australian state or territory government.

How to apply?

1. Get a skilled migration assessment (also known as a points test). This is crucial because Australia operates on a points system for immigration, and anyone hoping to emigrate to Australia must score above a certain points threshold to be eligible.
2. Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) via an online form in SkillSelect, where you answer a series of questions about your skills. The EOIs are then reviewed and applicants are selected by the states and territories. If you are selected and your points score exceeds the required pass mark, you receive an invitation to apply for a visa from the SkillSelect system.
3. Start preparing your visa application and the supporting documentation necessary for your application.

Application Cost

The main applicant of the visa is required to pay a fee of AUD 4,240.00. Additional charges apply for each family member who is also applying. To calculate the total cost, it’s recommended to use the Visa Pricing Estimator tool here.

Applicants aged 18 or above with less than functional English might incur an extra fee, referred to as the second instalment, which amounts to AUD 4,885 for family members. However, this charge is only requested if the visa is set to be granted and isn’t included in the Visa Pricing Estimator’s calculations.

Other potential expenses that are not calculated in the estimator might include health checks, police certificates, and biometrics.

Application Processing Times

Processing times for visa applications vary. Based on historical data, approximately 25% of applications are processed within 4 months. Half of the applications are completed within a 5-month timeframe. The processing time extends to 6 months for 75% of the applications. However, it’s important to note that 90% of applications may take as long as 14 months to process. These are estimates and actual processing times can vary.

Application Review and Decision:

After submission, your visa application will be reviewed. The Australian Department of Home Affairs will verify all the information and documents you have provided. They may also ask for more information if needed. Once the review is complete, a decision will be made whether to grant or deny the visa.

Visa Outcome

You will be notified of the decision in writing. If your visa is granted, you will be given a Visa Grant Number, the date your visa expires, and any conditions attached to the visa. If your visa is not granted, you will be notified of the reasons why, your rights to a review of the decision, and the time limit for applying for such a review.

Remember that the process can be complex and each case is unique, so the actual process may vary in some cases. It’s also recommended to get professional advice when applying for visas.