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Skilled Nominated

Skilled Nominated

Overview

Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa

The Subclass 190 visa is a points-tested visa application that can lead directly to permanent residency. Although anyone can submit an expression of interest (EOI) through Skill Select, it is an invitation-only application where an Australian State/Territory needs to agree to nominate you for the visa. Each State/Territory has differing nomination criteria including their occupation lists, and differing criteria such as job offers in their State/Territory, certain years of work experience, or certain levels of English.

Target Market

Process

General Eligibility

Eligibility

Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa

There are certain minimum eligibility requirements for the visa, most of which need to be met at the time you receive an invitation to apply for the visa. You must review these requirements to ensure that there are no issues when you apply for the visa itself following the invitation.

Skills Assessment

English

Points Score

State Nomination

Occupation

Invitation

Visa Eligibility

Documents

Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa

The actual documents you require are dependent on your particular circumstances including (but not limited to) your family members, your health and character, your identity, and your occupation. Your Global Solicitor advisor will provide you with a link to the Global Solicitor portal which will set out the specific documents required.

General Documents

  • Your passport biodata page
  • Evidence of relationship to family members included in your application (such as birth certificates and marriage certificates)
  • Evidence you have a “competent” level of English, at the time you are invited to apply for the visa
  • Evidence of a suitable skills assessment, at the time you are invited to apply for the visa
  • Evidence of your qualifications (if claiming points); and
  • Evidence of your employment history (if claiming points), such as employment reference letters and evidence that it was paid (such as pay slips or tax documents)
  • Evidence of other things that points are claimed for (i.e. NAATI accreditation, partner’s English + skills assessment, satisfying Australian study requirement) 
  • Police clearances from any country you have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years
  • Registration, licensing, and professional membership certificate (as relevant)

Process

Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa

Unlike many visas to Australia, you cannot apply for the Subclass 190 visa directly. There is a particular process that must be followed, including applying for an expression of interest (EOI) and subsequently being invited to apply for the visa. There are certain nuances around the process including submission of the EOI, how often invitations are conducted, timing to apply for the visa, and others which are outlined further on the right side of this page.

Gathering the Documents

To ensure that you have the correct points score, and are ready to lodge your visa application as soon as possible after receiving an invitation, we strongly recommend collating all the documents for your Subclass 190 visa before submitting the expression of interest (EOI).

This ensures that you can sufficiently evidence everything that you’ve claimed points for, and the subsequent visa application process goes as smoothly as possible.

Submitting an EOI

Once you’ve correctly calculated your points to satisfaction, you will need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Subclass 190 visa via Skill Select. The EOI effectively will have your details including name, point score, and date of submission.

Once you’ve submitted an EOI, it remains in the Department’s system for up to two years. You can update your EOI as appropriate, otherwise, it will also automatically update your points in certain circumstances (for example, if you move into a different age bracket or your years of work experience increase).

State Nomination/Invitation

Depending on the process for the particular State/Territory you are interested in receiving the nomination from, after you’ve submitted your EOI you should follow the appropriate procedure to secure a State/Territory nomination.

That may be as simple as an indication in your EOI that you’re interested in a particular State/Territories nomination, or it may involve making an application to the State/Territory in question. Please double-check the criteria for each State/Territory that you are interested in pursuing the nomination from.

Upon the State/Territory agreeing to nominate you, you will receive an invitation through Skill Select to apply for the visa. You should also receive an email notifying you of this. This invitation is valid for 60 days, and you will need to apply for the Subclass 190 visa before then.

Applying for the Visa

After receiving an invitation, the next step is to apply for the Subclass 190 visa application itself. You should ensure that all your documents are still valid at the time of invitation invite, and then obtain things such as police clearances and undertake your health examination.

After Application

The Department will send an acknowledgment letter once your application has been received. The standard processing times for the Subclass 190 visa as of 31 January 2023 are that:

  • 50% are processed in 7 months; and
  • 75% are processed in 18 months.

The Department will not provide any updates, either they will request further information from you or make a decision.

Do not travel to Australia until the outcome of your visa application is received and you have been granted the visa. If you are in Australia during the application process, ensure you hold a valid substantive visa or Bridging Visa until the application is processed.

Be sure to advise the Department if there are any mistakes on your application but submitting a Notice of Incorrect Answers, or if your circumstances change after you have applied.

Visa Outcome

The Department will advise you of the outcome of your Subclass 190 visa in writing, which confers permanent residency. If your visa application is successful, you will be advised of:

  1. Your visa grant number
  2. The travel facility applicable to your visa (when it starts and ends); and
  3. When you must make your first entry (if you are overseas – typically one year from the date of grant).

Your visa will be electronically linked to your passport, so you won’t need to put a visa label on your passport or attend any embassy/high commission after approval. Generally, it is a good idea to retain an electronic copy of the decision for when you arrive and whilst you live in Australia, you may need to provide it as evidence of your PR status.

After residing in Australia for certain a period of time, you may be eligible for Australian citizenship (see here for more information).

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