How Long Does It Take to Get an Invitation for a 190 Visa?

how long does it take to get invitation for 190 visa image thumbnail

One huge question that often pops up to us as a registered migration agent is: How long does it take to get an invitation for a 190 visa? To be honest, it’s a crucial query for many hopeful immigrants, as the waiting period can have a significant impact on their plans and lives. We understand the anxiety and excitement that comes with this process, which is why we’re here to shed some light on the subject.

Duration of the 190 Visa application process can vary significantly depending on various factors, while there’s no definitive timeline, understanding the key stages and potential influencing elements can provide you with a general idea of what to expect.

In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of the 190 visa invitation process. We’ll break down the factors that affect waiting times, look at average timeframes, and even analyse state-by-state differences. Plus, we’ll share some tips on how to speed up your invitation and discuss the points needed to get invited. You’ll have a clearer picture of what to expect for your 190 visa.

190 Visa Process

The 190 visa process is a journey that requires careful planning and attention to detail. We’ll walk you through the key steps to help you understand how long it takes to get an invitation for a 190 visa.

Eligibility Requirements

To start the process, we need to make sure we meet the basic eligibility criteria. The Department of Home Affairs has set specific requirements that you must fulfill. These include:

  1. Being under 45 years of age
  2. Having a valid skills assessment in an eligible occupation
  3. Scoring at least 65 points on the points test
  4. Demonstrating at least competent English language skills

Meeting these requirements doesn’t guarantee an invitation, but it is crucial that you meet all the required qualifications. The more points you have, the stronger your application will be.

skillselect expression of interest homepage image screenshot

Expression of Interest (EOI)

Once we’ve confirms your eligibility, the next step is to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system. This is where you provide information about your skills, qualifications, work experience, and English language proficiency.

When filling out your EOI, you need to be meticulous. Any changes made after receiving an invitation can lead to your application being declined. It’s also important to keep your EOI updated if your circumstances change.

The EOI remains in the SkillSelect system for up to two years. During this time, you might receive an invitation to apply for the 190 visa if a state or territory decides to nominate you.

State Nomination

State nomination is a crucial part of the 190 visa process. Each state and territory in Australia has its own set of requirements and occupation lists. They use these to select candidates who can contribute to their local economy.

To increase the chances of getting invited for a 190 visa, you need to:

  1. Check the skilled occupation lists for each state or territory
  2. Ensure occupation is in demand in the state we’re interested in
  3. Meet any additional criteria set by the state, such as work experience or language requirements

Some states might require applicants to submit a separate application for nomination, while others might select directly from the SkillSelect pool.

It’s worth noting that the nomination process can be competitive, especially for popular states like New South Wales. The waiting time for an invitation can vary significantly depending on your occupation, points score, and the state’s current priorities.

Factors Affecting Invitation Timeframes

While waiting for an invitation for your 190 visa, it’s important to understand that several factors can influence how long it takes. Let’s dive into the key elements that have an impact on invitation timeframes.

Occupation Demand

The demand for your occupation in Australia plays a crucial role in how quickly you might receive an invitation. Each state and territory has its own skilled occupation lists, and these lists can change based on local economic needs. If your occupation is in high demand, we might get an invitation faster. However, if there’s less need for our skills, the wait could be longer.

Points Score

Our points score is another critical factor. The minimum points threshold for a valid application is 65 points, but having a higher score can significantly boost our chances of getting an invitation quickly. Points are awarded for various factors like age, English language ability, work experience, and qualifications. It’s worth noting that by applying for the 190 visa, we automatically get an additional 5 points for state nomination.

State-Specific Criteria

Each state and territory in Australia has its own set of requirements for nomination. These criteria can include:

  1. Having a job offer in the state
  2. Achieving a specific English language score
  3. Living physically in the state
  4. Meeting certain work experience requirements

Some states might select applicants at lower point scores than others, depending on their specific needs. This means that the state we choose to apply to can have a significant effect on how long it takes to get an invitation.

It’s important to remember that the waiting time for an invitation can vary widely. In some cases, it might take as little as a month, while in others, it could stretch to 12 months or even longer in rare instances. The variability is substantial and depends on many factors related to our occupation and the state we’re applying to.

To increase our chances of getting an invitation quickly, we need to make sure our application is as strong as possible. This means maximising our points score, ensuring our occupation is in demand, and carefully considering which state to apply to based on their specific criteria.

Average Waiting Times for 190 Visa Invitations

When it comes to getting an invitation for a 190 visa, the waiting times can vary significantly. We’ve found that the process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on various factors.

Timeframes by State

Each state in Australia has its own processing times for 190 visa invitations. On average, we’ve seen that it can take between 2 to 8 weeks for states to process Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa applications. However, it’s important to note that this is just an average, and actual times can differ.

Some states might select applicants faster than others, especially if they have a high demand for certain skills. We’ve noticed that some states might even select applicants with lower point scores if their occupation is in high demand.

Timeframes by Occupation

The waiting time for an invitation can also depend heavily on our occupation. If our skills are in high demand in a particular state, we might receive an invitation more quickly. On the other hand, if there’s less need for our occupation, the wait could be longer.

In some cases, we’ve seen invitations come through in as little as one month. However, for others, it might take 12 months or even longer in rare instances. The variability is wide and depends on many factors related to our occupation and the state we’re applying to.

It’s crucial to remember that these timeframes are just estimates. The actual time it takes to get an invitation can be influenced by various factors, including:

  1. Whether the state is open for our occupation
  2. If we’ve met all state requirements (English level, job offer, etc.)
  3. The demand for our occupation in that state

To get a better idea of how long it might take to get an invitation for a 190 visa, we need to consider your specific circumstances and the current needs of the state you’re interested in. Keeping your Expression of Interest updated and ensuring we meet all the requirements can help speed up the process.

australia 189, 491 invitation rounds image thumbnail

State-by-state analysis of 190 visa Invitation Times

NSW

New South Wales uses a selection-based invitation process for the 190 visa. The state prioritises EOIs in key industry sectors like health, education, ICT, and infrastructure. NSW nomination is highly competitive, and invitation rounds occur throughout the financial year. The waiting time can vary significantly, but it’s worth noting that some applicants have reported receiving invitations within a week of submitting their EOI. 

However, given the high demand, it’s advisable not to rely solely on an NSW nomination and to explore other migration pathways as well.

Victoria

Victoria’s invitation process for the 190 visa can be slower compared to other states. The waiting time for a nomination approval can take several months. Some applicants have reported waiting up to eight months for their visa grant after lodging their application. It’s important to note that Victoria considers various factors when selecting candidates, including the nominated occupation, annual salary, total skilled employment experience, and English language ability.

Queensland

Queensland’s nomination process for the 190 visa involves several steps. The state has specific requirements for different applicant categories, such as graduates of Queensland universities, skilled workers living in Queensland, and skilled workers living offshore. Queensland uses a quota system provided by the Australian government, which limits the number of nominations they can make each year. This can affect invitation times, making the process highly competitive.

Other States and Territories

Each state and territory in Australia has its own nomination process and criteria for the 190 visa. Processing times can vary widely, with some states reporting average processing times of 2-8 weeks for Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa applications.

However, it’s crucial to remember that these are just averages, and actual waiting times can be longer depending on various factors such as occupation demand, points score, and state-specific requirements.

How to Get a Quick Results of 190 Visa Invitation

We all want to know how long it takes to get an invitation for a 190 visa, but what’s even more important is understanding how to speed up the process. Let’s explore some strategies that can help us get quicker results for your 190 visa invitation.

  1. Improving your Point Score

One of the most effective ways to get invited for a 190 visa faster is to boost your point score. The higher your score, the better your chances of receiving an invitation quickly. Here are some ways you can improve your points:

  1. Enhance your English language skills: Aiming for ‘Superior English’ in tests like IELTS or PTE can earn up to 20 points. Even a small improvement in your English test score can have a significant impact on your total points.
  2. Gain more work experience: Both Australian and overseas work experience can add to your points. For instance, 3 to 5 years of overseas experience can give you 5 points, while 8+ years of Australian experience can add 20 points to your score.
  3. Advance your education: Higher qualifications can significantly boost your points. A doctorate, for example, can add 20 points to your score.
  4. Complete a Professional Year in Australia: This can add 5 points to your score and enhance your employability.

2. Targeting-in-Demand Occupations

Another crucial strategy to get a quick invitation for a 190 visa is to target in-demand occupations. Here’s how you can do this:

  1. Research state nomination requirements: Each state and territory has its own list of in-demand occupations. You can focus on states where your skills are in high demand.
  2. Stay updated on occupation lists: Keep an eye on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). These lists can change based on Australia’s economic needs.
  3. Consider regional areas: Some occupations might be in higher demand in regional areas. Studying or working in these areas can also earn you additional points.

By improving your point score and targeting in-demand occupations, you can significantly increase your chances of getting a quick invitation for a 190 visa. The key is to make your application as strong as possible to stand out in the pool of applicants.

How many points needed for 190 visa

When it comes to the 190 visa, we need to score a minimum of 65 points to be eligible. However, it’s important to understand that this is just the starting point. Due to the competitive nature of this visa category, having only 65 points might not be enough to secure an invitation to apply.

The points system for the 190 visa is designed to assess our skills and attributes. We receive points for various factors such as age, English language proficiency, work experience, and educational qualifications. It’s worth noting that we get an additional 5 points for state nomination when applying for the 190 visa.

While 65 points is the minimum threshold, the actual points needed can vary depending on the demand for your occupation and the number of applicants in the pool. In some highly competitive fields, you might need a significantly higher score to stand out and receive an invitation.

To maximise your chances of getting an invitation for the 190 visa, it’s crucial to aim for a higher point score. 

How to get invited for 190 visa

Getting invited for a 190 visa involves several crucial steps. You need to start by checking your eligibility for the visa and ensuring your occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list. It’s essential to calculate your point score using a PR points calculator, aiming for at least 65 points to secure a state or territory nomination.

The next step is submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect website. This isn’t a visa application but a request to be invited to apply. You should indicate which states or territories you’re interested in being nominated by. It’s important to note that receiving an invite can take up to two years.

After submitting your EOI, we need to gather evidence and documents to back up your claims. This includes proof of identity, relationship and character documents, English competency proof, and skills assessment documents.

A critical step is submitting a Registration of Interest (ROI) to the relevant states or territories you’re considering moving to. If you’re eligible, you can apply directly for state or territory nomination.

Keep your EOI updated at all times. You must ensure that all information, including your NAATI/CCL test results and work experience claims, is valid and accurate at the time of invitation. Don’t overclaim points; they can lead to visa refusal, even after receiving a pre-invitation.

Remember, the invitation process can be competitive, especially for popular states like New South Wales. Make sure to maximise your chances, aim for the highest possible points score, and consider all available migration pathways.