Permanent visas for skilled and experienced migrants with occupations on the skilled occupation list are available under Australia permanent residency 189 and 190 visas in Australia. In both cases, applicants rank, based on factors such as their qualifications, employment history, English language proficiency, and age.
In both cases, you will be competing against other applicants based on your score, and neither requires employer sponsorship. These two visas may share many similarities, but they also have several key differences.
Read the article till the end to know about the differences between Australia Independent Visa (Subclass-189) and Australia Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass-190)
But before going further to know about the differences, let me brief you quickly about Australia permanent residency 189 and 190.
Skilled Independent Visa 189
Skilled Independent Visa is for skilled international employees in Australia. Those who hold visa 189 can stay and work in Australia for as long as they wish. This is a permanent visa. Applicants who wish to work in Australia as skilled workers must apply for visa 189. The cost is approximately AUD 4,115. In addition to it, you can also sponsor your eligible relatives for permanent residency in Australia.
A skilled overseas worker may apply for a visa 189 if they are under 45 years of age. This visa is based on points. Therefore, you must score 65 points or higher on the points test. Getting a visa 189 is more likely if you score over 65.
A visa 189 allows you to stay and work permanently in Australia. Additionally, it offers multiple travel options. Australia allows you to travel there and back for five years. As soon as you receive visa 189, you become a permanent resident of Australia. Furthermore, if you qualify, you can apply for Australian citizenship. Isn’t that interesting?
Skilled Nominated Visa 190
Visa 190 is for applicants who are nominated skilled employees from other countries. The respective state/territory governments nominate the skilled workers for visa 190. The main difference between a 189 and 190 visa is the state nomination. It is also a permanent visa. With visa 190, you can live and work in Australia permanently. Applicants under the age of 45 can apply for this visa.
You must submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. Points are awarded based on the claims you make in your EOI. A points test determines eligibility for Visa 190. In order to obtain this visa, you must score 65 points on the points test. If your score falls below 65, the Department of Home Affairs will not invite you for visa 190.
If you choose an occupation from the Skilled Occupations List, make sure that it is relevant to your work experience. You must undergo a skills assessment to be eligible for your nominated occupation. The cost of a visa 190 is approximately AUD 4,115. Additionally, you can apply for a visa for a member of your family. However, there are separate charges for applicants with family members.
Hopefully, you got an overview of both visas, now about the differences.
1. Sponsorship by a state or territory- Australia permanent residency 189 and 190
Australia permanent residency 189 and 190 visas differ mainly on the basis of sponsorship by an Australian State or Territory. For the 190 visas, an Australian State or Territory must sponsor you, thus adding additional eligibility requirements. On the other hand, a 189 visa requires no sponsorship. This visa allows you to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia without any state or territory sponsorship.
If you are applying for a 190 visa from a state or territory, you must first determine the eligibility criteria imposed by that state or territory. There are several factors that will determine your eligibility, including your nominated occupation, your location within or outside Australia, and the state or territory in which you reside.
Every state and territory has its own employment and residence requirements, so it is important to review these well in advance. A specific period of time may be required to live and work in a particular state or territory before receiving an invitation. Additionally, certain occupations may be subject to additional criteria, but this depends on your state or territory of residence.
The quotas set by the Australian Federal Government will also affect the requirements specific to each state and territory. It is recommended that you consult with a migration lawyer before submitting an EOI to ensure eligibility for state or territory sponsorship.
In contrast, to obtain a nomination for the 189 visa, you do not need the sponsorship of a state or territory. As an independent visa holder, you can live and work anywhere in Australia without being obligated to any state or territory. With a 190 visa, you must live and work for at least two years in the state or territory where you are sponsored.
2. Lists of occupations- Australia permanent residency 189 and 190
There is another difference between Australia permanent residency 189 and 190 when it comes to the lists of skilled occupations. Due to the lack of state or territory nomination requirements, the 189 visa only requires that the occupation be listed on the Medium- and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). On the other hand, your invitation to apply for a 190 visa depends on the sponsorship of a state or territory. So you need to check whether your occupation is on each state’s or territory’s occupation list, as not every state or territory nominates the same occupation.
Depending on whether the applicant is onshore or offshore, states or territories will choose occupations from the Medium- and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). Additionally, some states or territories offer a postgraduate track for graduates with master’s and Ph.D. degrees. The criteria vary depending on the state.
Furthermore, some states and territories impose additional criteria for specific occupations, such as higher minimum points score or a higher minimum work experience requirement. According to COVID-19, you must have done so if you wished to nominate an occupation on the Department’s priority migration skills list or one within a critical sector. The rules and regulations may change in accordance with the changes in COVID.
3. The invitation process- Australia permanent residency 189 and 190
There are also differences in the processes and frequency of invitations for 189 and 190 visas. Every month, the Federal Government issues invitations for the 189 visas for each occupation on the MLTSSL. COVID-19 created an economic climate that made invitation rounds for the 189 visas run quarterly, with the previous round being in January 2021 and the next scheduled for April 2021. There is no connection between these and the invitation rounds for states and territories.
The number of EOIs that may be selected for a particular occupation is limited in invitation rounds for the 189 visa. Using the Australian Bureau of Statistics employment data, these figures ensure a proportionate distribution of invitations among occupations. The Federal Government issues no further invitations once an occupation reaches its quota or ceiling.
Since states and territories issue invitations based on their individual needs and shortages, they have more discretion in selecting EOIs. The use of migration programs can encourage a more balanced distribution of skilled migrants. This mechanism helps to support state and territory development strategies.
The outbreak of Covid-19 has severely disrupted the frequency of invitation rounds. Therefore, each state and territory should regularly analyze the situation.
Conclusion
Australia’s General Skilled Migration Program includes Australia permanent residency 189 and 190. However, each has its own requirements and process. You can contact us if you are seeking one of these visas or would like to know more.