Australian states and territories continue to nominate visa applicants

Australia offers many visa options to help skilled immigrants to come and settle down in the country. While many of these visa options require the individual to apply on his own or independently, there are some visa options that are nominated by the state. One of these is the Subclass 190 visa which is a state nominated visa.

Australia provides various visa options to help skilled immigrants get to settle in the country. Although many of these visa options allow the applicant to apply independently or on their own, there are some visa options that are nominated by the state. These visas include the Subclass 189, Subclass 190 and the Subclass 491 visa.

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): This visa option is suitable for skilled workers. However, this visa cannot receive sponsorship.

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): This visa is applicable to skilled workers who have a nomination from an Australian state/Territory.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 Visa: This visa has replaced the Subclass 489 Visa as a pathway to a PR visa. Under this visa, skilled workers and their families must live, work and study in designated regional areas for 5 years.

Benefits of a state nomination

You can obtain a suitable visa to move to Australia with a State nomination. To obtain a state nomination, the position must be listed on the State Nominated Occupation List and fulfill both state and federal government eligibility requirements.

• You get priority visa processing with the department of home affairs
• For the Subclass 190 visa, you will earn 5 points in your eligibility test
• You’ll get a chance to live and work in Australian cities
• You will have access to a more comprehensive occupation list, where you will find your match

Eligibility requirements for State nominated visas

• Nomination or sponsorship from an Australian state or territory after submitting the EOI
• Experience in a nominated occupation on Australia’s Skilled Occupations List
• Completed skills assessment with a relevant assessing authority for the occupation you have selected
• Age between 18 and 50 years
• Meet the basic requirements for Skilled Migration which include English language, health, and character checks
• A minimum score of 65 on the points test
• Meet health and character requirements

These visas give immigrants the following benefits:

• Work and study in Australia without restrictions
• Stay in Australia for an unlimited period
• Subscribe for Australia’s universal healthcare scheme
• Apply for Australian citizenship
• Sponsor eligible relatives for temporary or permanent visas

State nominated visas continue to be processed

The good news is that in spite of the Coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing visa processing limitations, Australian states continue to nominate immigrants for these visas.

The number of Subclass 189 visa invitations in May and June were 550 and 170 respectively. As for the Subclass 190 visa, it was 1226 in June.

The number of Subclass 491 (regional sponsored) visa invitations in June was 2215 in June while the number of nominations for Subclass 491 (family sponsored) visa was 100 and 30 in May and June respectively.

Though the number of invitations issued is lesser when compared to the previous months, it indicates that the immigration department is not stopping nor postponing the issue of invitations.