Australia | Skilled Migration Visas (189, 190, 491)
Skilled Migration Visa Consultants in Chandigarh
Bloom Bravely, with Your UNIQUE Skill! We help and guide you with Expressions of Interest, skills assessment applications, state or family sponsorship and points-test applications for the subclass 189, 190, 491 and 887 visas.
Quick answer: Australia's skilled migration program lets qualified workers apply for permanent residency (PR) through the points-tested Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) or Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), or a 5-year regional pathway through the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491). You generally need an eligible occupation, a positive skills assessment, competent English, age under 45 and at least 65 points. Auscan Consultants in Chandigarh helps you check eligibility and lodge a strong application.
189 vs 190 vs 491 visa at a glance
| Feature | Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent (PR) | Permanent (PR) | Provisional – 5 years |
| Sponsorship / nomination | Not required | State or territory government nomination | State or territory nomination, or eligible relative in a designated regional area |
| Extra points | None | +5 points | +15 points |
| Where you can live | Anywhere in Australia | Commitment to the nominating state | Designated regional areas only |
| Pathway to PR | PR on grant | PR on grant | Subclass 191 PR after 3 years living and working regionally |
| Core requirements | Invitation via SkillSelect EOI · occupation on the relevant skilled list · positive skills assessment · under 45 at invitation · at least competent English · minimum 65 points | ||
Information current as of October 2026. Visa rules, occupation lists and fees change often — always confirm with the Department of Home Affairs or speak to our registered migration agents before you apply.
Skilled visas (Permanent and Provisional)
Permanent residence visas for points-tested skilled workers who want to work and live in Australia:
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
A permanent visa option that does not require sponsorship by a relative or nomination by a state or territory government. You can live and work anywhere in Australia.
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
A permanent visa that requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government. Nomination adds 5 points to your score.
Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)
The former Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa subclass 489 is now the 491 visa — a 5-year provisional visa that lets holders live and work only in designated regional areas of Australia. You need sponsorship by an eligible Australian relative living in a designated area, or nomination by a state or territory government.
Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887)
A permanent visa for eligible holders of earlier provisional visas, such as the subclass 489, who have lived and worked in a specified regional area of Australia.
Am I eligible for a skilled migration visa?
To be invited for an Australian skilled visa (189, 190 or 491) you generally need to meet all of the following:
- Your occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list
- A positive skills assessment from the assessing authority for your occupation
- You are under 45 years of age when invited
- At least competent English (e.g. IELTS 6 in each band or an equivalent PTE score) — higher scores earn more points
- A score of at least 65 points on the points test
- An Expression of Interest (EOI) lodged in SkillSelect and an invitation to apply
- For 190 or 491: state/territory nomination or eligible family sponsorship (491)
- Health and character requirements
Australian PR points test
Points are awarded for your age, English language ability, skilled employment, qualifications, Australian study, partner skills, professional year, credentialled community language and state or regional nomination. The pass mark is 65, but invitations go to the highest-ranking applicants, so improving your English score or adding nomination points can make a big difference.
How our skilled migration visa consultants in Chandigarh help you
- Free online assessment – we review your occupation, age, English, work experience and qualifications against the current 189, 190 and 491 criteria.
- Skills assessment application – we prepare your application to the correct assessing authority for your occupation.
- Points test calculation – we calculate your points accurately and show you how to improve your ranking.
- Expression of Interest (EOI) – we lodge and manage your EOI in SkillSelect.
- State or family sponsorship – we apply for state/territory nomination or eligible relative sponsorship for 190 and 491 visas.
- Visa application & PR pathway – we lodge your visa application and plan your move from a 491 to the 191 PR visa, or an 887 where eligible.
Testimonials
What our clients say about Auscan Consultants.
Hello Everyone, My name is Divya Narang, I am from Panchkula and would like to express my gratitude to the entire Auscan Team for filing my Visa and getting me admitted to one of Australia's best Universities. I would like to share my experience with all of you and talk about how difficult my case was. In January 2018, I and my husband visited Auscan and met the managing director, Mr. Sunil Jaggi, and told him that we wanted to go to Australia, but my age was a problem, as I was 37 years old then that the chances for us were very bleak. Sunil Ji told me that the only way we could go was via a student visa, and I could apply for a master's degree if I wanted to, and he could file my case for the same. Before that, we had contacted several other immigration offices, but everyone said it wasn't easy to go to Australia at this period, or they asked for a lot of money to pursue our case.
In the meantime, Sunil ji encouraged me to take the IELTS exam. I started studying for the IELTS exam and I managed to get the score I needed for my admission. My file processing had begun, and every member of the team in the company was very cooperative, and they kept guiding me at every step. Though my case was tough because we wanted to go as a family, I didn't want to go alone. I thought I'm going to go alone for a moment because it wasn't that easy to get a family visa, but Sunil ji gave me the assurance that I'm going to get the visa and I have to get ready for the interview. I began to prepare for that interview. My file was submitted so accurately to my surprise that my Family Visa was approved within six months, and that too, without any interview.
I am so grateful to the entire Auscan team, Pooja Joshi, Pooja Ghai and Sunina, and most importantly, last but not least, Sunil Ji, who have guided me through my visa processing and have worked so hard on my case. It has been two years now and I am about to finish my course. I am immensely thankful to the entire Auscan team and would like to suggest that everyone else visit them once if you too have a vision of studying abroad like I had. Thank you.
Skilled migration visa FAQs
What is a skilled migration visa for Australia?
A skilled migration visa lets qualified workers live and work in Australia based on their occupation, skills, age, English and other points-test factors. The main General Skilled Migration options are the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
What is the difference between the 189, 190 and 491 visas?
The 189 is a permanent visa that needs no sponsorship. The 190 is a permanent visa that needs nomination by an Australian state or territory government and adds 5 points. The 491 is a 5-year provisional visa for regional Australia that needs state or territory nomination or sponsorship by an eligible relative and adds 15 points; it can lead to permanent residency through the subclass 191 visa.
How many points do I need for Australian PR?
The minimum score on the points test is 65 points. Because invitations are issued to the highest-ranking Expressions of Interest, many occupations need well above 65 in practice. Points are awarded for age, English, skilled employment, qualifications, Australian study, partner skills, nomination and other factors.
What is the age limit for the 189, 190 and 491 visas?
You must be under 45 years of age when you are invited to apply.
Is the subclass 489 visa still available?
No. The Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa subclass 489 closed to new applicants in November 2019 and was replaced by the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa subclass 491. Eligible existing 489 holders may still move to permanent residency through the subclass 887 visa.
What is an Expression of Interest (EOI)?
An EOI is your profile lodged in the Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect system. It records your occupation, skills assessment, English score and points claims. States, territories and the Department use it to nominate and invite applicants for the 189, 190 and 491 visas.
Why choose Auscan as skilled migration visa consultants in Chandigarh?
Auscan Consultants has offices in Chandigarh and Melbourne and registered migration agents who guide you through skills assessment, EOI, state or family sponsorship and the points test. We offer a free online assessment so you know your options before you start.
Free online assessment for your skilled migration visa
Find out whether you qualify for the 189, 190 or 491 visa and how many points you can claim. Talk to our team in Chandigarh and Melbourne — or online.
- Chandigarh: S.C.O. No 11, Sector 17-E, Above Tejees, Chandigarh – +91 172 500 2055, +91 172 500 2088
- Melbourne: SE 601, Level 6, 343 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000 – +61 3 9670 9124
- Email: info@auscanimmigration.com
