Relocating to Australia for work is indeed a life-changing decision. Out of all the available visas, the self-employed subclass 189, 190, and 491 visas seem ideal even to foreign skilled workers who seek permanent residence in Australia. It’s such categories that motivated people usually have benefits, causes, and features, reaching the need to use a select one as per one’s career goals and aspirations.
Fast-track your intention: fill up this guide, and you will be aware of the genuine details of each of these visas in such a way that you will be able to know which one will be appropriate and help you take a step closer towards being in Australia.
Visa 189: Independent Skilled Visa

Visa subclass 189 is designed for duly skilled residents who want the freedom of choosing the place and basic area of working in Australia, as there are no restrictions. This visa is permanent and does not require a sponsoring agency such as a state, employer, or family member, as is the case with temporary visas.
Key Eligibility Criteria:
- That it be possible to receive a positive request for an application.
- How old are you? Below 45 years
- Choose an occupation in the occupation lists.
- Have a skills assessment in your area of occupation.
- It is also a basic requirement, which is English at least competent level.
- An applicant needs to satisfy a minimum of 65 points in the points test.
- Benefits: Total self-reliance even without state or employer sponsorship.
- In the case of non-citizens with permanent residency, it allows one to reside and work anywhere in Australia at one’s discretion.
Limitations:
Increased costs in those professions that have a larger pool of potential applicants worldwide, with longer processing times.
Application Process:
- Send in an Expression of Interest (EOI).
- Receive an invitation to make an application.
- Satisfy all requisites—submit everything needed to complete the application.
- Then, relax and wait for the pending processing times for the actual decision.
Visa 190: State Nominated Skilled Visa
A subclass 190 visa extension allows skilled workers to work under the sponsorship of Australia’s state government engaged in employment located therein. This visa also allows for the granting of permanent resident status, with the additional caveat that the residency status is geographically restricted.
Key Eligibility Criteria:
- Application for a visa should not be denied.
- It is not an application that would be presumably refused.
- Meet the maximum age requirement of forty-five.
- Comply with the maximum age limit, which is 45 years.
- Pass a skill assessment for your occupation in Australia.
- Pass an exam on the required skills in a skill occupation that is recognized in Australia.
- Choose an occupation from the eligible skilled occupations list.
- Choose any occupation that falls under the category of skilled occupations listed at the immigration headquarters.
- English proficiency must also be of a decent standard.
- Effective communication would be in English in a competent but less formal manner.
- Must pass the points test with a minimum score of sixty-five points.
- Critical in nature is the attainment of a minimum score in the point test of sixty-five points.
Benefits:
- Reduction in processing time due to nomination by state or territory.
- There is a conclusion for the fraction who obtain a permanent residence with full medical support exemplified by Medicare.
Limitations:
You will be obliged to remain in the nominated state and hold employment in that state for some time.
Application Process:
- Get a nomination from a state or territory.
- Get endorsed by the facilitating body.
- Wait Until You Have a Response from the Department of Home Affairs.
Visa 491: Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa
The subclass 491 visa is valid for a 250 visa, which allows the holder to live in the designated area and work for certain specified employers for over a period of five years, but this is less spelled out in detail than it is in this other chronicle where it is mentioned how this permanent resident visa (485) combines provisional residency and permanent residency. This kind of visa opens uprights to permanent residence when properly used.
Key Eligibility Criteria:
- Have been issued with an invitation to apply.
- Be 45 years or younger.
- Choose an occupation from the skilled occupation list.
- Perform skills assessments.
- Compose English at a competent level.
- Achieve a passing point test level of 65 points.
Advantages:
- The application cost for this visa is not up to what one has to pay for the application of visa subclasses 189 and 190.
- There are no restrictions on working full time. There is also a little time period that one has to wait for the application to be processed.
- There is a pathway to citizenship for people residing in a regional area while working and living there.
Disadvantages:
- You will have to relocate to a specific regional area and work on it in order to get permanent residency.
- In conclusion, this is a provisional visa, which means that you will not be able to obtain permanent residency immediately.
Application Process:
- Submit an EOI.
- Request for a nomination from general.
- Submit an application together with the necessary documents.
· Just relax and wait for processing times.
Comparing the 189, 190, and 491 sponsored programs:

Visa 189: It is the only fully sponsored independent visa with no sponsorship required for a work and live load in Australia as well.
Visa 190: This visa is for state or territory nominations and for faster turnaround and permanent residency.
Visa 491: This is the most affordable and fastest option available, but you will have to reside and work in a regional area in order to qualify for permanent residency.
How Will You Determine Which Visa is Right for You?
Visa 189: This visa is meant for those who plan to stay in Australia on a permanent basis without a sponsor or an employer.
Visa 190: Such preferences are common to these professional classes who either wish to base themselves in a specific state or territory or who are in a rush to make a decision.
Visa 491: This is a very good option for those with limited financial means who are hoping for a quick, and therefore, a permanent residency in regional Australia.
Get Expert Help
It is very necessary to choose a relevant visa before going ahead all out on migration. If all you need is migration services, then World Class Immigration experts are the place to go. Whether you prefer very busy metropolitan areas like Sydney and Melbourne or the quiet country regions, we can support you in living the dream life in Australia that you want. No matter how busy you are, we can provide the support that you need.