The General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program allows qualified and experienced professionals to migrate to Australia and support the nation’s workforce needs. This program includes several visa pathways, such as:

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): The Subclass 189 is a permanent residency visa for highly skilled applicants who are not sponsored by an employer, family member, or state/territory government. To qualify, you must achieve the required points on the points-based test and meet the minimum English language criteria.

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): The Subclass 190 visa is also a permanent visa, but it requires a nomination from an Australian state or territory government. The core eligibility requirements are similar to the 189 visa, with the added condition of receiving state or territory nomination based on your skills and occupation demand.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491): The Subclass 491 visa is a temporary provisional visa that enables skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia for up to five years. To apply, you must have:

• A positive skills assessment in an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation lists
• At least the minimum points score
• Sponsorship by an eligible relative residing in a regional area or nomination from a state or territory government

This visa can later lead to permanent residency if specific conditions are met.

Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191): The Subclass 191 visa offers permanent residency to skilled individuals who have previously held an eligible regional provisional visa, such as the Subclass 491. To qualify, applicants must:

• Hold a relevant provisional regional visa
• Have lived and worked in regional Australia for a minimum of three years
• Meet health and character requirements
• Continue to have a suitable occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List

Note: Visa requirements and eligibility criteria can change over time. It is recommended to seek guidance from a registered migration agent to stay updated. You may also refer to the official Department of Home Affairs website https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas for the most current details on these visas.

At Randhawa Immigration, our registered migration agent can provide up-to-date information on these employer-sponsored visas and guide you through the entire application process.

Book a consultation with us today to Learn more.