The question
Which visa is best for me? That is the million dollar question! Skilled visas have clear pathways to PR and are popular among many of our clients. We’ve spoken about different aspects of the 190 and 491 before, and this time we will take a closer look at their pros and cons.
The similarities
Both the 190 and 491 require state nomination. The financial investment is basically the same, with the same application fee and other costs such as English tests, translations and Skills Assessments. In addition, they take roughly the same amount of time to process. So the answer to your question is more likely to depend on your personal interests and your chances of success.
What does 491 have to offer? (The pros of the 491)
The 491 is the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa. This means it is only available to applicants living in, or willing to move to, a regional area. The pro here is that basically anywhere in Australia other than Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane is an option. This gives you a chance to explore more of the country and choose a place to live that matches your lifestyle and goals, rather than being blinded by the bright lights of the big cities. You will also receive 15 points when you receive your nomination, meaning you only need 50 points on your own to reach the minimum 65 points.
The pros don’t stop there! For the 491, normally a larger number of occupations are eligible than the 190 [we are talking about the state occupation lists here], and different states have different rules or preferences, meaning you have more options when choosing which state is best for you. You may reach eligibility for the 491 faster due to potential shorter timeframe requirements for work, study or residence. The 491 is granted to applicants for up to 5 years and usually allows for PR applications after the first 3, making the pathway to PR very clear. This visa also awards you the benefits most migrants are looking for, such as full-time work rights, flexibility in occupation, Medicare, and freedom from study requirements.
Turn that frown upside down! (The cons of the 491)
As a Provisional visa, the 491 is an excellent visa to hold but for the ones dreaming of becoming a permanent resident, it’s not the end of the road just yet. After 3 years as a 491 visa holder, you may be eligible to apply for the 191, which is a permanent visa. Even though it is one more step, and yes, one more application, think of it as an opportunity and a goal to be reached and do whatever you can to get there from the comfort of your 491.
Regional visas require a commitment to live in a regional area for a certain number of years. Many new immigrants fly straight to Sydney or Melbourne and make themselves at home, later dreading the idea of having to move to the outback. But the good news is, the outback is not your only option! Regional visas rule out a total of three cities only, and give you the entire rest of Australia to play with! Take it from us, these areas aren’t as “regional” as the visa makes them sound 😉
What does 190 have to offer? (The pros of the 190)
The 190 is permanent residency, which is why it is favoured by so many migrants. If you are eligible for the 190, we say go ahead and apply. If you already meet all the requirements this is a fantastic visa to have, and if you are eligible for both 190 and 491 you may be able to apply for both at the same time (read more about this in our previous blog post). In some cases, holders of the 190 visa are eligible for citizenship after just 1 year (depending on how long you have been living in Australia), so you could reach the end of your migration journey much sooner than expected.
Is it the journey or the destination that matters? (The cons of the 190)
The 190 visa is a dream come true for many, and there are very few cons to holding it. The challenge is how you get there! Because the 190 is favoured, it is a much more competitive process than that of the 491. There are fewer eligible occupations, and requirements are often tougher. That means you may need a higher English level, or you may be required to work or study in a certain location for a longer period of time. When you apply for the 190, you are only awarded 5 points from your nomination, meaning you need to have at least 60 points on your own to reach the minimum 65 points.
The answer
When you ask which visa is best for you, the answer comes from consideration of your personal circumstances, your profile as a candidate, the state or territory you are considering and your long-term goals. Whilst the 190 is the most appealing for many migrants, it may not be the most attainable. With Australian immigration, you do need to play by the rules of the game but it is you who decides which strategy you will use. So if you are still tossing up your options and want a better understanding of your chances, book a consultation with 4Migration today and let us guide you through.