Your 189 190 491 Visa Comparison – Australia offers several skilled migration visa pathways, but choosing the right one can be challenging. The 189, 190, and 491 visas are among the most popular options for skilled workers seeking permanent residency. Below, we compare these visa subclasses to help you determine which is best suited for your situation.
🔍 Overview of Each Visa – A 189 190 491 Visa Comparison
1️⃣ Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa – 189 190 491 Visa Comparison
Who is it for?
- Skilled workers who do not require state or family sponsorship.
- Applicants with high points in the General Skilled Migration (GSM) system.
- Those who want full work and study rights anywhere in Australia.
✔ No state nomination required
✔ Direct pathway to PR (Permanent Residency)
✔ Live and work anywhere in Australia
✔ Competitive – Higher points needed
2️⃣ Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa
Who is it for?
- Skilled workers who receive nomination from an Australian state or territory.
- Applicants willing to commit to living in the nominating state for at least two years.
- Those who may not qualify for a 189 visa due to lower points.
✔ Initially – State nomination boosts points (extra 5 points added to GSM score)
✔ Certainly – Direct pathway to PR
✔ Lastly – needs a commitment to a specific state
uy it✔ More accessible than 189 for applicants with lower points
3️⃣ Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
Who is it for?
- Skilled workers who are willing to live and work in regional Australia.
- Applicants sponsored by a state/territory government or an eligible family member.
- Those who need an extra points boost to qualify for skilled migration.
✔ Regional nomination adds 15 points to GSM score
✔ Expressly – a Pathway to PR after 3 years (Subclass 191 visa)
✔ Correspondingly – More visa invitations due to regional incentives
✔ Needs a commitment to live in a designated regional area
📊 189 vs. 190 vs. 491 – Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Nomination | ❌ Not required | ✅ Required | ✅ Required |
| Points Boost | ❌ No extra points | ✅ +5 points | ✅ +15 points |
| Permanent Residency (PR) | ✅ Immediate | ✅ Immediate | ❌ After 3 years (Subclass 191) |
| Location Restriction | ❌ No restriction | ✅ Must live in nominating state | ✅ Must live in regional Australia |
| Processing Priority | ❌ No priority | ✅ Higher priority | ✅ Higher priority |
| Visa Duration | PR granted | PR granted | 5-year provisional visa |
💡 Which Visa Should You Choose?
🔹 Choose 189 if you have a high GSM points score and do not want location restrictions.
🔹 Select 190 if you are willing to commit to a state and need an extra 5 points.
🔹 Certainly Opt for 491 if you are open to regional areas and need an extra 15 points for eligibility.
📞 Need Help Choosing the Right Visa?
Finally – deciding between these skilled migration visas can be complex. If you need expert advice tailored to your case, book a one-on-one consultation with Simon Mander, a Registered Migration Agent with 22+ years of experience.