Top 5 Differences Between the 189 and 190 Visa [2025–2026 Guide]

Meta Description: Confused about the 189 vs 190 visa? Our 2025 guide breaks down the key differences in points, state sponsorship, processing times, and eligibility to help you choose the right Australian skilled visa.

Slug: 189-vs-190-visa-differences-guide

TL;DR
The main difference is that the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) does not require sponsorship, while the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government. The 189 visa offers unrestricted work and live rights across Australia, whereas the 190 visa requires you to live in your nominating state for at least your first two years. According to the Department of Home Affairs, both are permanent residency visas that use the points-tested stream, but the 190 provides an extra 5 points for the state nomination.

Choosing the right skilled migration pathway is crucial for your future in Australia. The 189 and 190 visas are two of the most popular routes to permanent residency, but their differences in requirements and obligations can significantly impact your application strategy. This guide will dissect the five key distinctions to help you make an informed decision for your 2025–2026 plans.

What Are the Core Eligibility Differences Between the 189 and 190 Visa?

The core eligibility difference is that the 190 visa requires a formal nomination from a state or territory, while the 189 visa does not. Both visas share several foundational requirements: you must have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list, obtain a positive skills assessment for that occupation, meet the points test pass mark (currently 65 points), and satisfy health and character requirements. However, the pathway to meeting these criteria diverges significantly.

For the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), your eligibility is assessed solely by the federal government via the Department of Home Affairs. Your points, occupation, and skills must align directly with federal criteria, and you are competing in a national pool of candidates. For the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), you must first secure an invitation to apply from a specific state or territory. Each state has its own unique nomination criteria, which often include additional requirements beyond the federal ones.

• 189 Visa: No sponsor or nominator required. Your application is directly to the federal government.
• 190 Visa: Mandatory nomination from a participating state or territory (e.g., NSW, VIC, SA, WA).
• Shared Base: Both require a skills assessment, competent English, and an invitation through SkillSelect.
• Points Boost: A 190 nomination automatically grants you an extra 5 points toward your total.

To understand exactly how your profile scores, use a precise tool like the NovenAI Points Calculator, which is updated with the latest state and federal criteria to give you an accurate assessment.

How Do the Points Requirements and Invitation Rounds Compare?

While both visas require a minimum of 65 points, the real competition happens at the invitation threshold, which is typically much higher for the 189 visa. The 190 visa can be a strategic pathway for candidates whose points score is competitive at a state level but not at the highly competitive federal level for the 189.

189 Visa invitations are issued by the Department of Home Affairs based on your points score and the date you submitted your Expression of Interest (EOI). Occupations are ranked, and the highest-ranking EOIs are invited in each round. For popular professions, the minimum points score for an invitation can soar to 85, 90, or even higher. The 190 Visa nomination process adds a layer of complexity. Each state government runs its own nomination program, setting its own occupation lists (often more targeted than the federal lists) and criteria. These can include factors like:

• Commitment to live and work in the state.
• Job offers in the state (required by some, preferred by others).
• Specific work experience in your field.
• Graduation from a university in that state.

According to the official SkillSelect page, invitation rounds for the 189 are less frequent and highly competitive. States, however, may issue nominations more regularly based on their specific labour market needs. A tool like NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor can analyse historical invitation data and current trends to estimate your chances for both visa subclasses.

What Are the Residency and Work Conditions for Each Visa?

Both visas grant permanent residency, but the 190 visa carries a specific residency obligation to your nominating state for the first two years. This is a crucial legal commitment that influences where you can build your life in Australia.

Once granted, the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) gives you the unconditional right to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely. You have no geographic restrictions. The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) grants the same permanent residency rights, but with a moral commitment to live and work in the state or territory that nominated you for at least the first two years. While this is not a legally enforceable visa condition monitored by Home Affairs, it is a serious commitment made to the state government. Failing to honour it could affect future sponsorship applications or your relationship with that state.

• 189 Visa: Full and unrestricted rights to live and work anywhere in Australia from day one.
• 190 Visa: Must intend to live in your nominating state for the initial two-year period.
• Long-Term: After the initial period, 190 visa holders have the same freedom as 189 holders.
• Family: Both visas allow you to include eligible family members in your application.

How Do Processing Times and Application Pathways Differ?

The application pathway for the 190 visa is longer and more complex due to the two-step nomination process, but it can result in a faster grant for some candidates if their occupation is in high demand at the state level. Processing times for both visas are published by the Department of Home Affairs and vary based on application completeness, occupation, and applicant volume.

For the 189 visa, the pathway is linear: Submit EOI → Receive federal invitation → Lodge visa application → Await grant. For the 190 visa, the pathway involves an extra critical step: Submit EOI → Apply for state nomination (often with a separate application) → Receive state nomination and invitation → Lodge visa application → Await grant. This state nomination step can add several weeks or months to your overall timeline but provides the crucial 5-point advantage.

According to the latest Global Visa Processing Times from Home Affairs, 75% of 189 applications are processed in 8 months, and 90% in 10 months. For the 190 visa, 75% are processed in 8 months, and 90% in 11 months. These times are indicative and highlight that the core visa processing is similar; the key variable is the time taken to secure a state nomination.

Which Visa Should I Choose: 189 or 190?

You should choose the 189 visa if you have a very high points score and want complete geographic freedom, and the 190 visa if your points are more moderate and you are willing to commit to a specific state. Your choice should be a strategic decision based on your personal circumstances, points score, and occupation demand.

Consider the Skilled Independent visa (189) if:

• Your points score is 85+ and highly competitive for your occupation.
• Your occupation is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
• You value the flexibility to move anywhere in Australia immediately.
• You want a simpler, direct-to-federal application pathway.

Consider the Skilled Nominated visa (190) if:

• Your points score is between 65-85 and needs a boost.
• Your occupation is in demand in a specific state or territory.
• You have ties to a particular state (e.g., studied there, have a job offer, or family).
• You are comfortable committing to live in that state for your initial years.

Navigating these nuances requires up-to-date information. Platforms like NovenAI integrate real-time policy updates from all state migration websites and Home Affairs, providing a consolidated view of your best options, which is far more efficient than manually checking a dozen different government pages.

Conclusion

The journey to Australian permanent residency via the 189 or 190 visa is a major decision that hinges on your points, your occupation, and your willingness to live in a specific location. The 189 offers ultimate freedom for high-scoring candidates, while the 190 provides a vital alternative pathway with a 5-point bonus for those with strong state alignment. By carefully assessing your profile against both federal and state criteria, you can identify the most promising route for your skills.

Don’t leave your Australian dream to chance. Get a clear, personalised strategy for your 189 or 190 visa application. Start your assessment with NovenAI today.