The Australia 190 Visa Procedure for Skilled Immigration to Canberra
As the national capital, Canberra is reflective of the Australian lifestyle — vivacious, balanced and inclusive. Around one-quarter of Canberra’s population is born overseas, making it one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the country. The Australia 190 visa subclass is a direct gateway to an ideal existence in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). While the Skilled Regional Subclass 489 visa Australia is a provisional visa that may eventually lead to permanent residence, the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa instantly permits the visa holder to live and work permanently in the country.
Owing to the limited population of 396,100, there are certain skills shortages in the ACT labour market that can only be satisfied by immigrants. Since Canberra’s immigration program specifically targets the in-demand skilled occupations, the unemployment rate in Canberra (3.8%) is even lower than the national average (5.9%). The average weekly wages (AUD 1,717) are also higher than those across Australia (AUD 1,533).
Before applying for a nomination to ACT, the aspirant must file an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect — the online assessment portal of the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) — and meet the minimum point requirement for the Subclass 190 visa. The Australia PR process for ACT nomination under Subclass 190 is very unique since it uses an exclusive ‘Canberra Matrix’ to evaluate the applicant’s eligibility.
Step 1: Expression of Interest
Applicants must complete a points-based Canberra Matrix. Points are allocated based on their potential to contribute to the local economy and intention to live and work in the ACT. To be eligible to apply, a minimum score of 20 points must be attained.
Step 2: Invitation to Apply
Candidates are ranked based on their Canberra Matrix score. Highest ranked applicants are invited to apply for a nomination, on a monthly basis.
Step 3: Apply for Nomination
Within 14 days of receiving the invite, the applicant must submit an online application and pay the service fee (AUD 300). The application includes all required documents that provide evidence for the details provided at the EOI stage.
Based on the evidence, the application for ACT nomination will either be approved or rejected. Typically, a response is issued within 45 days of submission. If approved, the SkillSelect EOI will be updated, and the DHA will issue an invitation to apply for the Subclass 190 visa. The visa application must be lodged within the following 60 days.
After being granted the Australia 190 visa, the visa holder is obligated to live in the ACT for at least the initial two years. Fortunately, the multifarious offerings of the city make this commitment easy to uphold.
