General Skilled Migration Visa

Types of General Skilled Migration visas

1. Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) Points-tested stream

   This visa allows highly skilled workers to be invited to live and work permanently in the country. This visa also allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia.

   To be eligible for this visa, you must:

   • Have held a substantive visa.
     • If you held a (subclass 491) or a (subclass 494), you must have held this visa for at least 3 years at the time you apply.
   • Be able to score at least 65 points to be invited.
   • Have an occupation listed on the Medium to Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
   • Have submitted an expression of interest (EOI) to be considered for an invitation.
   • Have a suitable skills assessment at the time of invitation.
   • You must be under 45 years when receiving your invitation to apply for this visa.
     • Note: If you turn 45 after submitting your EOI but BEFORE being invited to apply, you will NOT be invited to apply.
   • Have a level of competent English at the time of invitation.
     
     
2. Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

   This visa allows highly skilled workers, nominated by an Australian State or Territory, to live and work permanently in Australia. Once this visa is granted, you are expected to live and work in the State or Territory that invited you for at least 2 years.

   To be eligible for this visa, you must:

   • Have held a substantive visa.
     • If you held a (subclass 491) or a (subclass 494), you must have held this visa for at least 3 years at the time you apply.
   • Be able to score at least 65 points to be invited.
   • Have an occupation that is listed on either the Medium to Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
     • It is important to note that the State or Territory may have their own skilled occupation list, so you must also review this.
   • Be nominated by an Australian State or territory.
   • Have submitted a complete expression of interest (EOI) to be considered for an invitation.
   • Have a suitable skills assessment at the time of invitation.
   • You must be under 45 years when receiving your invitation to apply for this visa.
     • Note: If you turn 45 after submitting your EOI but BEFORE being invited to apply, you will NOT be invited to apply.
   • Have competent English level at the time of invitation.
     
     
3. Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

   This visa allows skilled workers to be invited to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia for up to five years. You can apply for permanent residency after 3 years of holding this visa.

   To be eligible for this visa, you must:

   • Be able to score at least 65 points to be invited.
   • Have submitted an expression of interest (EOI) to be considered for an invitation.
   • Be nominated by an Australian State or territory, or be sponsored by an eligible relative.
     • Your sponsor must be:
       • 18 years old or older
       • Usually resident in a designated area of Australia
       • Be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen
       • Be an eligible relative or your partner’s eligible relative if you are also applying for this visa.
     • Have a suitable skills assessment at the time of invitation.
     • You must be under 45 years when receiving your invitation to apply for this visa.
       • Note: If you turn 45 after submitting your EOI but BEFORE being invited to apply, you will NOT be invited to apply.
     • Have competent English level at the time of invitation (see table below)