Overview
To be eligible for the Skilled Independent visa, applicants must score at least 65 points on the point assessment (Subclass 189).
General eligibility
- have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
- be invited to apply for this visa
- be under the age of 45 when you are invited to apply for the visa
satisfy the 189 visa points test (score 65 points or more, though pragmatically the minimum score to get an invitation to apply is much higher)
- have competent English at the time of invitation
- meet health and character requirements
How to apply?
- An applicant must submit an expression of interest (EOI) and be invited by SkillSelect to apply for this visa.The Department goes through the list on SkillSelect one every quarter to issue invitations.
- If you are invited to apply, you have 60 days to submit your application.
- A visa application generally takes 17-28 months to complete.
- What can you do with this visa
189 visa holders can:
- live, work, and study in Australia as permanent residents
- sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence;
- can apply for Australian Citizenship, if eligible.
Overview
To be eligible to apply for a Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), applicants must receive a minimum of 65 points on a points assessment and be nominated by a participating State or Territory government in Australia.
General Eligibility
You will need to:
- have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
- obtain State nomination from the relevant State authority
- be invited to apply for this visa
- be under the age of 45 when you are invited to apply for the visa
- satisfy the 190 points test (score 65 points or more, though pragmatically the minimum score is much higher)
- have competent English at the time of invitation
- meet health and character requirements
How to apply?
- An applicant must submit an expression of interest (EOI) and be invited by SkillSelect to apply for this visa and wait for a state nomination.
- You have 60 days to submit your visa application after a state or territory government officially nominated you on SkillSelect.
- A 190 visa application can take the Department of Home Affairs between 4 and 15 months to complete.
What can you do with this visa?
190 visa holders:
- can live, work, and study in Australia as permanent residents once the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) Visa is granted; and
- sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence.
Overview
It can lead to permanent residence, if eligible, through the Skilled Regional (subclass 191) visa which will commence from 16 November 2022.
General Eligibility
You will need to:
- have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
- be nominated to apply by a state or territory government agency, or an eligible relative must sponsor you
- be invited to apply for this visa
- be under the age of 45 when you are invited to apply for the visa
- satisfy the 491 points test (score 65 points or more, though pragmatically the minimum score is much higher)
- have competent English at the time of invitation
- meet health and character requirements.
How to apply?
- An applicant must submit an expression of interest (EOI) and be invited by SkillSelect to apply for this visa and wait for a state or family nomination.
- You have 60 days to submit your visa application after a state or territory government officially nominated you on SkillSelect or the family sponsorship has been approved.
- You must reside in a designated regional area after your visa is granted.
491 visa holders can:
- can live, work and study in Australia for up to five years
- can include immediate family in your visa application
- can transit to permanent residency through the Skilled Regional (subclass 191) visa, if eligible
Overview
The Subclass 191 visa is your permanent residency pathway after living and working in regional Australia on eligible visas. It’s designed to retain skilled migrants in regional areas by offering a clear path to permanent settlement.
Key Features
- Full permanent residency for you and your family
- Live and work anywhere in Australia once granted
- Medicare access and health benefits
- Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
- 5-year travel rights from grant date
- Pathway to citizenship (subject to residency requirements)
Eligibility
Regional Provisional Stream
- Held a qualifying Subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least 3 years
- Lived, worked, and/or studied in a designated regional area for 3+ years
- Complied with all conditions of your qualifying visa
- Can provide ATO tax assessments for 3 income years (from the 5 years on your eligible visa)
- Meet health and character requirements
- No sponsor or nomination needed
Hong Kong Stream
- Hold a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport
- Held an eligible visa (Subclass 457, 482, or 485) for 3+ years
- Lived, worked, or studied in a designated regional area for 3+ years immediately before applying
- Meet functional English, health, and character requirements
Application Fees (as of April 2025)
Additional charges may apply for applicants with less than functional English ($4,885 second instalment).
Watch Out For These Common Issues
- Continuous visa requirement: You must hold the same eligible visa for the entire 3-year qualifying period
- Regional area verification: Your address must fall within designated regional postcodes
- Compliance history: Any breach of visa conditions can jeopardize eligibility
- Documentation gaps: Incomplete tax records or proof of regional residence can delay processing
- No legislated income threshold currently exists, but evidence of income is still required
How Riverwood Migration Can Help
Our team of migration experts will:
- Assess your eligibility across both streams to determine the best pathway
- Create a strategic timeline for your 191 application
- Review your regional residence and work history for compliance
- Prepare comprehensive documentation of your regional commitment
- Handle all Department interactions and respond to any requests
- Provide clear guidance on transitioning from provisional to permanent residency
We understand the significant investment you’ve made in regional Australia. Let us help secure your permanent future here.
This information is current as of April 2025. For personalised advice on your Subclass 191 application, speak with our registered migration lawyers.
Overview
This is the Business Innovation Stream of the Business Innovation and Investment
(Provisional) Subclass 188 Visa (known as 188A Visa). It is a point tested temporary
visa for people with business skills. It lets you operate a new or existing business in
Australia. This visa provides a pathway to permanent residence through the Subclass 888
visa.
Eligibility
This provisional visa is for people with business skills. It lets you operate a new or
existing business in Australia. It allows you to stay in Australia for up to 5 years and
bring eligible members of your family with you. If eligible, you may apply for permanent
residency under Subclass 888 in the Business Innovation stream.
To apply for this visa, you must be nominated by an Australian state or territory
government agency. You must:
- Score at least 65 on the points test
- Provide proof of your business success (annual turnover, ownership interest)
- You, your partner, or you and your partner together, have total net business and
personal assets of at least:
Cost
This visa costs AUD6,085 for the main applicant. There is also a charge for each
family member who applies for the visa with you:
- an additional applicant over 18 years old: AUD3,045
- an additional applicant under 18 years old: AUD1,520
Can you extend this visa?
You may extend subclass 188 Business Innovation stream by up to 2 more years or up to 4
more years if COVID-19 concessions apply.
What you can do after you extend?
- Operate a new or existing business in Australia
- Travel to, enter and remain in Australia for 6 years after the date of the grant of
the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) Innovation
stream that you held at the time of application; or up to 8 years if COVID-19
concessions apply.
- You, your partner, or you and your partner together, have total net business and
personal assets of at least:
- The visa is granted with multiple entries. You can leave and re-enter Australia as
many times as you want while the visa is valid.
- Bring eligible members of your family with you.
- Apply for a permanent Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass
888) Business Innovation stream if certain requirements are met.
Overview
This is the Business Innovation Stream of the Business Innovation and Investment
(Provisional) Subclass 188 Visa (known as 188A Visa). It is a point tested temporary
visa for people with business skills. It lets you operate a new or existing business in
Australia. This visa provides a pathway to permanent residence through the Subclass 888
visa.
Eligibility
This provisional visa is for people with business skills. It lets you operate a new or
existing business in Australia. It allows you to stay in Australia for up to 5 years and
bring eligible members of your family with you. If eligible, you may apply for permanent
residency under Subclass 888 in the Business Innovation stream.
To apply for this visa, you must be nominated by an Australian state or territory
government agency. You must:
- Score at least 65 on the points test
- Provide proof of your business success (annual turnover, ownership interest)
- You, your partner, or you and your partner together, have total net business and
personal assets of at least:
Cost
This visa costs AUD6,085 for the main applicant. There is also a charge for each
family member who applies for the visa with you:
- an additional applicant over 18 years old: AUD3,045
- an additional applicant under 18 years old: AUD1,520
Can you extend this visa?
You may extend subclass 188 Business Innovation stream by up to 2 more years or up to 4
more years if COVID-19 concessions apply.
What you can do after you extend?
- Operate a new or existing business in Australia
- Travel to, enter and remain in Australia for 6 years after the date of the grant of
the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) Innovation
stream that you held at the time of application; or up to 8 years if COVID-19
concessions apply.
- You, your partner, or you and your partner together, have total net business and
personal assets of at least:
- The visa is granted with multiple entries. You can leave and re-enter Australia as
many times as you want while the visa is valid.
- Bring eligible members of your family with you.
- Apply for a permanent Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass
888) Business Innovation stream if certain requirements are met.
