189 vs 190 Visa: Why State Nomination Might Be Faster Than Independent

Skilled workers can turn their Australian dreams into reality through General Skilled Migration visas. However, navigating the choice between Subclass 189 and 190 often presents a challenge. This post compares the two options to eliminate any confusion. Your choice determines whether you enjoy full geographic freedom or must commit to a specific state for several years. We analyze the specifics of each visa to help you find your best path to permanent residency.

Understanding the 189 vs 190 Visa Basics

Are you confused about choosing between these two pathways to Australian permanent residency? You’re not alone.

The Subclass 189 visa is an independent skilled visa. You don’t need state sponsorship and you can live anywhere in Australia from day one while  Subclass 190 requires state or territory nomination. You must commit to living in the nominating state for at least two years. Both visas grant permanent residency. These Visas use the points-based system and  require skilled occupations on approved lists.

The key difference? One needs state backing, the other doesn’t.

Difference between 189 vs 190 visa

Skilled workers often struggle to choose the right path for Australian migration. You face a critical decision between the 189 Skilled Independent Visa and the 190 Skilled Nominated Visa. While both pathways grant permanent residency, they differ significantly in state nomination requirements, eligibility rules, and processing steps. You must understand these distinctions to select the visa that aligns best with your skills and migration goals.

What is a subclass 189 visa?

The 189 visa is a points-tested permanent residence visa designed for skilled workers who want to move to Australia independently. Unlike other visa subclasses under General Skilled Migration, you don’t need an employer, state, or family sponsor; you just need enough points based on your age, skills, English, and work experience.

Benefits of the Skilled Independent Visa 189

The 189 visa Australia leads directly to Australian citizenship. You can apply after living in Australia for 4 years total, with at least 1 year as a permanent resident. This makes the Skilled Independent visa 189 one of the fastest pathways to citizenship. Read Subclass 189 visa guide to understand complete about 189 visa

Full Medicare Access:

You get immediate access to Australia’s public healthcare system. This includes subsidized doctor visits, hospital care, and prescription medications.

Sponsor Eligible Family

The 189 skilled independent visa for Australia lets you sponsor parents, siblings, and other relatives. You can also include your partner and children directly in your application.

Additional Benefits:

• Live and work anywhere in Australia (no regional restrictions)
• Study with domestic fees
• Access social security (after waiting periods)
• Travel freely for 5 years
• Permanent residence with full work rights

What is subclass 190 visa?

The General Skilled Migration Visa Subclass 190 is one of the key pathways that allow skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently. This visa is particularly attractive to those with skills in high demand within specific Australian states or territories, making it a valuable option for many prospective migrants. 

Points-Tested System

 You need at least 65 points to be eligible to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.
If you have any confusion about the points system, check your points with our subclass 190 visa point calculator.

Key Benefits of the 190 Visa:

• Permanent Residency: From day one
• Pathway to Citizenship: Apply after 4 years in Australia (1 year as PR)
• Medicare Access: Full public healthcare coverage
• Work Freedom: After 2 years, can work/live anywhere in Australia
• Sponsor Family: Bring eligible relatives through family migration
• Study Rights: Access to domestic student fees
• Travel: 5-year travel facility, renewable
  

The Processing Time Reality: Between 189 vs 190 visa

Here’s the truth most migration agents won’t tell you upfront: visa 189 vs 190 processing time favors the state-nominated route in 2026. According to the Department of Home Affairs, both visas have similar official processing timeframes once lodged. But that’s not the full story. Processing times are measured in two key benchmarks: 50% of applications are processed within a certain timeframe, and 90% of applications are processed within another, longer timeframe. These figures give you a realistic range of how long you might wait.

For the 189 Visa (Skilled Independent), 50% of applications are processed within 10 months, and 90% within 11 months. This means most applicants receive a decision within 10-11 months of lodging their application.

For the 190 Visa (State Nominated), the picture is quite different. 50% of applications are processed within 17 months, and 90% within 27 months. This significantly longer timeframe reflects the additional complexity of state nomination processing and assessment.

Quick Comparison Table: Subclass 189 vs 190 visa

Here’s the comparison table of subclass 189 vs 190 visa

Visa Costs Subclass 189 & 190 

The base application fee is AUD $4,910 for the primary applicant, but hidden costs significantly increase your total budget.

Understanding the Point System of Subclass 189 vs Subclass 190

Why a 190 Visa Can Be Faster: 5 Key Reasons

1. More Frequent Invitation Rounds

• The federal government issues 189 invitations quarterly. Limited spots. High competition.
• States issue 190 invitations based on their urgent needs. New South Wales conducts rounds monthly. Victoria runs continuous streams for priority occupations.
• If you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) in February for a 189, you might wait until May for the next round. For a 190, you could receive a nomination in March.

2. No National Occupation Ceilings

The 189 visa operates under strict occupation ceilings. Popular occupations like accountants, software engineers, and registered nurses hit their limits fast.

Once the ceiling is reached, no more invitations for that occupation until the next migration year. You’re stuck waiting.

The 190 visa doesn’t have these restrictions. States select candidates based on local demand, not national quotas.

This is huge for competitive occupations on the Occupation list Australia.

3. Lower Competition in Specific Occupations

Think about it logically. The entire country competes for 189 invitations. But for 190, you’re competing only with applicants interested in that specific state. Software engineers flood the 189 pool. The cutoff score reaches 90+ points. But in South Australia or Tasmania, the same occupation might be invited at 75 points through their state program.

4. Extra 5 Points Can Make All the Difference

• State nomination automatically adds 5 points to your score.
• This bonus can be game-changing. With 70 points, you’re stuck in the 189 queue for months. With 75 points (70 + 5 state nomination), you jump ahead significantly.
• The 190 visa points test works in your favor here.
• Those 5 points often move you from “waiting indefinitely” to “invited next round.”

5. Direct State Priority Processing

• States have a vested interest in successful nominations.
• They need skilled workers to address local shortages.

When a state nominates you, they’re actively choosing you to fill their economic gaps. This creates a different dynamic than the federal points race.

State-nominated PR Australia programs often provide:

• Clearer pathway communication

• Faster nomination decisions

• Direct contact with state migration units

• Streamlined processes for priority occupations

The 2-year state commitment means you must live and work in the nominating state for at least two years after the visa grant. Not 2 years from arrival from grant date.

Plan your career accordingly:

• Research job opportunities in that state

• Consider family and lifestyle factors

• Understand state-specific living costs

• Think long-term, not just about getting the visa

190 visa requirements include demonstrating a genuine intention to live in the state. Your EOI and nomination application should reflect this.

Some states require:

• Job offers in specific occupations

• Higher English scores for certain roles

• Additional work experience in state-demanded fields

Research thoroughly before committing. But remember: most applicants stay in their chosen state long-term anyway.

Related Article : Understand General Skilled Migration Australia 

How The Migration Can Help You Choose

Still confused about which pathway suits you best? That’s exactly what we’re here for.

The Migration specializes in:

• Accurate points assessment for both visa types

• State nomination strategy based on your profile

• Occupation list analysis (MLTSSL and STSOL)

• Timeline projections and priority planning

• Complete application management from EOI to grant

With 5 years of proven success, we’ve secured permanent residency for thousands of skilled workers. We don’t just submit applications – we strategize the fastest pathway for your unique situation.

Book your consultation now and get expert analysis within 48 hours. Stop guessing. Start planning.

Conclusion: 

Which is faster, 189 vs 190 visa? The data clearly shows that Subclass 190 offers quicker invitation timelines for most applicants. More frequent rounds, no occupation ceilings, and the 5-point bonus create a faster pathway to permanent residency. The trade-off? A 2-year commitment to your nominating state. But here’s the reality: most skilled migrants settle in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or Perth anyway. The state commitment rarely proves restrictive.

If you’re sitting at 65-75 points, waiting months for 189 invitations, state nomination could cut your timeline by half a year or more. The smart approach? Pursue both pathways simultaneously. Stay flexible. Let the invitations decide.

Don’t navigate this complex decision alone. Contact The Migration today for personalized pathway assessment and strategic planning.

Your Australian dream shouldn’t be delayed by indecision. Let’s make it happen faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for both 189 and 190 visas at the same time?

Yes, absolutely. You can submit separate Expressions of Interest (EOI) for both visa subclasses simultaneously. Many applicants use this strategy to maximize their chances. If you receive invitations from both, you can choose which to proceed with.

Does the 190 visa have faster processing after lodgement compared to the 189?

No, the actual processing time after application lodgement is similar for both visas (typically 6-9 months). The speed advantage of 190 comes from getting invited faster, not from faster processing by the Department of Home Affairs.

Can I apply for a 190 visa if my occupation is not on the state’s list?

No, the 190 visa requires your occupation to be on the specific state’s list because this visa was made to address local skill shortages and economic needs.

Can I include my family members in both the 189 and 190 visa applications?

Yes, both the Subclass 189 and Subclass 190 visas allow you to include eligible family members in your application. This typically includes your spouse or partner and dependent children, who will receive the same permanent residence rights as you once the visa is granted.