Subclass 190 Vs 491: Find Out Which Visa Suits You Best

The Subclass 190 visa is a Skilled, Points-tested and Invited visa for candidates wanting to immigrate to Australia. These applicants are sponsored by the state or territory for the first two years of their beginning in Australia.

The Subclass 491 visa is also a Skilled, Points-tested and Invited visa for candidates wanting to immigrate to Australia. These candidates or eligible family members are sponsored by the state or territory for the first three years after taking residence. 

Let us see here how they qualify for immigrants looking to move to Australia.

Australian Subclass 190 Visa

The offshore Skilled-Sponsored Subclass 176 permit and the onshore Subclass 886 permits have been successfully replaced by the Skilled Nominated Subclass 190 visa. It is a permanent permit even though it needs nomination by an Australian state or territory. Subclass 190 is a points-based visa that allows holders to live and work anywhere in Australia.

Australian Subclass 491 Visa?

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 visa has successfully replaced the Skilled Regional Subclass 489 visa. It allows the holder to stay in Australia for five years. It is an excellent pathway to permanent residency after the visa holder has completed three years in the regional area of state nomination.

Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) Australia

Both these state-sponsored immigration visas are subject to eligibility criteria published by the sponsoring state or territory and the Department of Home Affairs. Selected candidates are therefore expected to live and work in the regional area for a specified period of time.

Similarities Between Subclass 190 & Subclass 491

Both Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 are General Stream Australia immigration state sponsorship visas. These visas are quite similar.

Subclass 190 & Subclass 491 Similarities

Differences between Subclass 190 & Subclass 491

The Subclass 190 is an application for a permanent residency visa. And Subclass 491 is a transitional immigration visa that allows permanent residency after 3 years.

 

 

 

Visa Status

Subclass 190

Permanent residence

Subclass 491

Provisional residence

 

 

 

Visa Status

Subclass 190

Permanent residence

Subclass 491

Provisional residence

 

 

 

Conditions

Subclass 190

Unconditional & unrestricted
PR

Subclass 491

Conditional & PR restricted

 

 

 

Conditions

Subclass 190

Unconditional & unrestricted PR

Subclass 491

Conditional & PR restricted

 

 

 

Restrictions

Subclass 190

The sponsoring state expects you to reside in the state for the first 2 years

Subclass 491

You have to live & work in the sponsoring state for 3 years before applying for permanent residency

 

 

 

Restrictions

Subclass 190

The sponsoring state expects you to reside in the state for the first 2 years

Subclass 491

You have to live & work in the sponsoring state for 3 years before applying for permanent residency

 

 

 

Medicare & Social Benefits

Subclass 190

Conditional access to Medicare & Social benefits

Subclass 491

No access to Medicare & Social benefits

 

 

 

Medicare & Social Benefits

Subclass 190

Conditional access to Medicare & Social benefits

Subclass 491

No access to Medicare & Social benefits

Other Key Points of the State-Sponsored Subclass 190 Skilled Visa

The State-Sponsored Subclass 190 Skilled Visa for Australia is for permanent residents. The applicant should lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI). You would, however, require an invitation to apply. And then be approved for state nomination sponsorship before applying for the visa. 

The state nomination sponsorship eventually adds another 5 points to your points table.

Holders of Subclass 190 visa can:

• Permanently stay in Australia
• Work and study in Australia
• Sponsor relatives to come and live with them
• Enrol in Medicare and public health schemes
• Travel in and out of Australia for 5 years
• Apply for Australian citizenship if applicable

Other Key Points of the Provisional State-Sponsored Subclass 491 Skilled Visa

The Provisional State-Sponsored Subclass 491 Skilled Visa is an invited pathway and a provisional temporary residence to Australia. You must lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) once you receive the invitation. Subsequently, you should be sponsored by an eligible relative or by an Australian state or territory.

Sponsorship adds 15 points to your point tally.

Holders of Subclass 491 visa can:

• Live in Australia for up to 5 years
• Work and study in a specified region of Australia
• Travel in and out of Australia as many times during the same
• Bring along your family members
• This visa is for foreign skilled migrant workers wanting to work in Australia
• The visa holder can apply for the Skilled Regional (Permanent) Subclass 887 Visa 

Eligibility Requirements for State-Sponsored Skilled Visas

Subclass 190 Visa Eligibility

Alongside the specific state’s occupation list, the immigration applicant should have a nominated occupation on the Australian STSOL list. Immigration candidates can apply onshore or offshore unless there is a condition on their visa that you cannot make an application in Australia.

Other eligibility criteria:

• Character certificate
• Medical & health certificates
• English language proficiency score
• Recent work experience
• Should be 18 years of age or older

The immigration applicant should have read the Life in Australia booklet and confirmed to respect the way of life here. He or she should respect Australian laws and regulations while signing the Australian Values Statement.

Subclass 491 Visa Eligibility

The immigration applicant must fully satisfy the requirements on the specific state’s occupation list and have a nominated occupation on the Australian STSOL list. Interested immigrants can apply onshore or offshore unless they have a condition on the visa prohibiting them from making an application in Australia.

Other eligibility criteria:

• Meet the character requirements
• Australian visa medical & health requirements
• English language requirements
• Recent work experience
• Be 18 years of age or older

The immigration applicant must have read and understood the Life in Australia booklet. He or she should confirm to the Australian workplace and conform to obey laws while signing the Australian Values Statement.

How to Apply for State-Sponsored Skilled Visas

Here is a step-by-step guide to how to apply for the Subclass 190 and the Subclass 491 visas.

Subclass 190 Visa

• Step 1: Pass the skills assessment test from a recognized skills assessment authority
• Step 2: Submit the Expression of Interest (EOI)
• Step 3: Wait for being invited & then apply for state sponsorship
• Step 4: Apply to DoHa when the state approves sponsorship
• Step 5: Apply for the visa within 60 days

Subclass 491 Visa

• Step 1: Take the skills assessment test from a recognized skills assessment authority
• Step 2: Submit the Expression of Interest (EOI) after that
• Step 3: Wait for being invited to apply sponsorship
• Step 4: Have the sponsorship in place; settled PRs, Australian citizens, or state
• Step 5: Apply to DoHa and the state approves sponsorship
• Step 6: Apply for the visa within 60 days

Costs Table for Subclass 190 & Subclass 491 Visas

Processing Time for State-Sponsored Skilled Visas

Here are the processing times for the Subclass 190 and the Subclass 491 visas.

Moving States on Subclass 190 or Subclass 491 Visas

This is a primary question the immigration applicant needs to answer. The nominating state, however, commits you to for staying at least two years within the state. Even if you are currently living in another state, you are required to provide a fresh job offer in the nominated occupation in the state sponsoring your visa. 

Moving States on Subclass 190 Visa

It is a fact that once granted; the Subclass 190 visa is a permanent resident visa with no strings attached to the state. The immigration applicant has the right to remain in the country as long as he wants and can freely migrate to anywhere in Australia as he likes. There are no restrictions on the 190 visa to stay in the nominating state.

This comes with a catch, though. It could affect the citizenship of the immigration applicant later if they decide to move to another state. It could affect your entire Australia immigration history, including your future visa applications like to sponsor a spouse.

Making a Wise Choice

If moving to another state without waiting for 2 years is the only choice you have, then it would be best for you to discuss the situation with the state government.

You can talk to them about:

• The difficulty you are having for finding a job 
• Or your partner is living and working in another state

The chances are that they may agree to free you to look for other opportunities. Convince them that you have tried all other options available and yet were unable to find the right job.

Moving States on Subclass 491 Visa

First of all, the Subclass 491 visa is provisional and not a permanent visa. It is granted with a rider that the visa holder must live, work and study in the designated or specified region of Australia. You cannot turn away from this commitment.

What is Condition 8579?

Condition 8579 says:

• The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 Visa holder in Australia is bound to live, work and study only in that part of Australia designated as a regional area when the visa was granted.

It implies that, though the immigrant may move between states or territories but will however live in the region, state, or territory specified in the agreement while granting the subclass 491 visa.

DoHA is concerned with the truth that your intentions while accepting the visa still stands. It is also true that DoHA would not be interested if you breach the visa condition. The agency will probe that you had provided any false information to the sponsoring state or territory while obtaining the sponsorship. 

Other Important FAQs

Can I apply for Subclass 190 while on Subclass 491 visa?

The immigration department of Australia has placed restrictions on what visas can be granted to Subclass 491 visa holders. This is to stop them from moving to other areas of the country. Therefore, Subclass 491 visa holders will not be allowed to apply for Subclass 186, 189, 190, 820, and many more other visas.

Does subclass 190 visa require work experience?

No work experience is required for occupations except few in some states. However, the highest-ranking candidates in occupations are invited first depending upon the Priority Skilled Occupation List of the concerned state. 

Are there any designated areas for subclass 491 visa?

Designated regional areas for subclass 491 visa include everywhere in Australia except Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.

Can I apply for a subclass 190 visa with 60 points?

A minimum of 60 points basic score is required to apply for a subclass 190 visa. Immigration applicants below this score will have to sit for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, either in Australia or in your home country.

How will my subclass 491 visa lead to PR?

Subclass 491 visa is granted for 5 years. If you meet the following criteria, you can apply for the Subclass 191 - Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa.

• You have lived, worked or studied in the designated area of Australia for at least 3 years
• You can show earnings of at least $53,900 per annum for the past 3 years

Either you or your spouse has to show evidence of earnings. Whoever fulfils the criteria can be the main applicant for the subclass 191 visa.

How much time for EOI approval for the Australia PR process?

The EOI is reviewed by both the Australian government authorities and the employers looking for someone with your skill-set. Normally, it takes about 15 days time to get results of your Expression of Interest. 

How many EOIs can be submitted for an Australia visa?

You can create as many EOIs as you want through Australia’s SkillSelect. Applicants usually create one for every state they are interested in. Multiple EOIs give you a wider range of selection to choose from.

What documents are required for an EOI?

The following information and documents are required, along with the Expression of Interest.

• Date of the completed skills assessment test
• Reference number provided by the assessing authority
• Your name & family name
• Date of birth
• Country of citizenship
• Citizenship Identification
• Gender information
• Valid passport with details
• Place of residency
• Relationship status

Can I apply for a subclass 491 visa if I am older than 45 years?

No. You cannot apply for a 491 visa subclass if you are older than 45 years. However, you can consider applying for the subclass 482 or Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) if you are looking for Australian PR.

Can I apply for Australian PR without work experience in a regional area for 3 years?

Though you may be able to move to another area of regional Australia on a subclass 491, you will not be able to apply for the subclass 191 permanent visa without completing 3 years in the designated area.

What jobs are available with a subclass 491 visa?

Every state or territory of Australia has a specific jobs list for immigration applicants to choose from. For a subclass 491 visa grant, you will need to check individual state or territory lists to find out local occupations in demand.

Is an employer required to sponsor for a subclass 491 visa?

No. Employers’ sponsorship is not required for a subclass 491 visa. But quite a few states or regions may want you to work for state nomination approval.

Why choose subclass 491 visa when I can get the subclass 190 visa?

Apply for the subclass 190 visa if you receive an invitation to apply. Go for the subclass 491 only when you do not receive an invitation for the subclass 190 visa.

How does the skilled independent visa subclass 189 compare to the subclass 190 visa?

The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) requires no sponsorship. But the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) requires sponsorship by an Australian state or territory.

Can I convert my Australian student visa to a PR visa?

You will have to fulfil these requirements to be eligible for a PR visa:

• Complete at least 2 years study at postgraduate level
• Provide evidence of work experience
• Demonstrate English proficiency
• Have a full-time job offer for 12 months at least
• Provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover
• Your occupation should be in the New Graduate Occupation List

Can I use a GSM visa for immigration to Australia?

The General Skilled Migration (GSM Visa) is only available for people with special skills wanting to settle in Australia. It would therefore be suitable for you to consult a registered migration agent to evaluate whether you qualify for the GSM visa.

Which subclass is suitable for NSW nomination?

Both subclass 190 and subclass 491 are suitable for NSW nomination. Keep in mind the difference between the two visas and choose what best suits you.

Conclusion

Choosing the most suitable skilled nominated subclass between 190 vs 491 visas will depend upon several factors. Beginning from your skill-set to score, and in-demand jobs in particular states. There are numerous features in common, but there is more freedom with subclass 190 visas.

So, evaluate carefully or seek services of a registered migration agent since they can give you a clear perspective of how things are on the ground. Visa consultants can also educate you and update on more avenues to help smoothen the immigration process.

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