For skilled professionals living outside Australia, the 190 Skilled Nominated visa is one of the most powerful and realistic ways to achieve permanent residency. Unlike the 189 visa, which is invitation-only and highly competitive, the 190 visa gives you a crucial advantage: state or territory nomination.
If you’re an overseas applicant exploring your migration options, this guide will walk you through how the 190 visa works, who’s eligible, how state nomination really works, and what to expect in 2025.
What Is the 190 Visa?
The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government.
Key features:
- You must have a nominated occupation on the relevant State/Territory Skilled Occupation List
- You receive 5 bonus points toward your SkillSelect points test
- You commit to living and working in your nominating state for at least two years
- Once granted, you have full PR rights — including access to Medicare, education, and work
Can Overseas Applicants Apply for the 190 Visa?
Yes — and increasingly so.
Many states and territories actively nominate skilled workers who are offshore, especially if they have in-demand qualifications and meet state-specific criteria.
But each state has its own nomination rules. Some prioritise offshore applicants with high points, while others prefer those with prior Australian study or work experience.
General Eligibility Criteria (for Overseas Applicants)
To be eligible for a 190 visa from offshore, you generally must:
- Be under 45 years old
- Have a valid skills assessment for a nominated occupation
- Meet the English language requirement (usually Competent or higher)
- Score at least 65 points on the SkillSelect points test (including the 5 nomination points)
- Be invited to apply after submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect
- Meet any additional state/territory nomination requirements
How State Nomination Works (Step-by-Step)
The process for overseas applicants typically looks like this:
- Check occupation lists for each state/territory
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect
- (Optional) Submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) if required by the state (e.g. Victoria)
- Wait for a nomination invitation from the state
- Once nominated, receive an invitation to apply for the 190 visa
- Lodge your visa application through the Department of Home Affairs
Which States Are Best for Offshore Applicants?
Each state has its own approach, but here are some 2025 insights:
- South Australia (SA): Actively nominates offshore applicants across many occupations
- Tasmania: Open to offshore candidates with strong experience or aligned qualifications
- NSW: Competitive, but open to offshore applicants in high-demand occupations
- Western Australia (WA): One of the most offshore-friendly states, with expanded occupation lists
- Victoria: Requires ROI and focuses on target sectors — selective, but possible
- ACT, NT, QLD: Generally favour onshore applicants, but offshore eligibility varies by occupation
How Long Does It Take?
- EOI to nomination: 1–6 months (depending on your score, occupation, and state demand)
- Visa processing: Around 6–11 months after submitting a complete application
Factors like documentation quality, occupation demand, and immigration policy shifts can affect timelines.
Common Challenges for Offshore Applicants
- Lower visibility in SkillSelect compared to onshore candidates
- Limited access to states that prioritise local graduates or workers
- Delays due to incomplete EOIs or outdated documents
- Not meeting state-specific criteria (e.g. experience, English, qualifications)
Why Work With a Registered Migration Agent?
Offshore applications for the 190 visa are possible — but success depends heavily on strategy and timing.
A Registered Migration Agent can:
- Help you identify the most responsive states for your occupation
- Craft a competitive EOI and prepare supporting documents
- Track nomination trends and changes across states
- Handle communication with the nominating state
- Improve your overall eligibility and migration planning
Ready to Make the Move?
If you’re overseas and serious about migrating to Australia, the 190 visa could be your clearest path to permanent residency — but only if you approach it smartly.
At GovLinked, we help offshore applicants secure state nomination, boost their points, and lodge strong, compliant visa applications that give them a real shot at living and working in Australia long term.
