What are the skilled migration visas?

The SC 189 is a point-tested visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory or a family member. You must only have an invitation from the Federal government to apply for this visa. It allows visa holders to live and work anywhere in Australia permanently whether in a metropolitan city or regional area.

The key benefit of this visa is that there are no conditions attached to it at all. You become a permanent resident on the day you are granted this visa and can work and live anywhere of your choosing. Then you can consider applying for Australian citizenship.

As you might have understood by now, the SC 189 visa is considered the best skilled migration visa. However, not everyone may be eligible to apply for it. You must have an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) specifically in order to be eligible for the SC 189 visa and also have at least 65 points in the Australian Points Test Calculator.

The SC 190 visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory. This visa too provides permanent residency, allowing you to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely. You can also access Medicare and unite your family in Australia by including your spouse or de-facto partner and children in this visa application.

However, in addition to meeting the Federal government requirements, you must also meet the requirements of the relevant state. You may need to have higher points, meet certain residency requirements in that state and satisfy specific employment periods under the state nomination requirements.

If you are considering the SC 190 visa, you must ensure that your occupation is on the MLTSSL or the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). There are more than 400 occupations on these lists combined.

The SC 491 visa is a temporary visa unlike the SC 189 and SC 190 visas. This visa allows skilled workers and their families to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years.

While you are on the SC 491 visa, you will still have the same benefits as the other two permanent residency visas. These include access to Medicare, bringing your family to Australia, and living, working or studying in Australia (however in a regional area).

To be eligible for this visa, you must meet the state or territory requirements in addition to the Federal Government requirements and receive a nomination from the relevant state or territory.

If you thought that you cannot obtain permanent residency from this visa, then think again! All you must do is live in the designated regional area that nominated you for a minimum of 3 years. Following which, you can apply for permanent residence via the SC 191 visa. Priority processing is given to the SC 491 visa since they are intended to address the labour shortages in regional areas of Australia. Thus, the SC 491 visa provides you a quick entry to your Australian Permanent Residency dream.

If you held a SC 491 visa and lived, worked or studied in a designated regional area for the past three years and earned a taxable income which meets the minimum income threshold for the three years, then the SC 191 visa is your way to permanent residency in Australia.

If you are granted the SC 191 visa, you become a permanent resident on that day. You can then live and work or study anywhere in Australia after, whether in a metropolitan city or regional area of your choosing.

While each visa type has specific eligibility conditions, some common requirements apply across all four which include:

• Skills Assessment: You need a positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation from a recognized assessing authority.
• Age: You must be under 45 years at the time of invitation.
• English Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate a competent level of English.
• Points Test: The SC 189, SC 190, and SC 491 visas require you to have a minimum of 65 points.