Nominated Skilled Migration 190 Visa Pathway to Reopen on November 29, 2018

Here’s a quick update on Nominated Skilled Migration 190 visa pathway.

The ACT 190 Nomination program will reopen on 29 November 2018 with a new process for determining nominated applicants. It is intended to help address the specific skills shortages in the ACT. The number of available visa nominations this year is 800. The program will continue to focus on in-demand occupations, and assess different factors supporting successful settlement and contribution to the ACT economy.

Due to increased demand for the 190 visas in the ACT, the first-in first-served system will be replaced by merit-based assessment, which is more in line with other jurisdictions around Australia. This newer, updated system may be beneficial for potential applicants who were close to qualifying to apply for subclass 190 nomination in June 2018 when the program was partially suspended. The applicants may be eligible for additional points under the merit-based assessment system.

Further details about the operation of the new approach will be provided to stakeholders in the coming weeks.

STREAMLINED PHD NOMINATION CRITERIA

Canberra Residents:

Canberra residents with PhD completed from an ACT university will have priority processing and will need to provide minimal documentation in addition to removal of service fee ($300) when applying for nomination. They can, however, apply for streamlined nomination only if their nominated occupation is ‘open’ on the current ACT occupation list, else not.

The ACT offers streamlined nomination for holders of a PhD completed at

Overseas and Interstate Residents:

The ACT 190 PhD streamlined nomination program is currently closed to interstate and overseas applicants.

APPLYING FOR ACT 190 NOMINATION

Applicants must ensure they have read the guidelines for ACT 190 nomination to check their eligibility before applying, for a non-refundable $300 service fee is charged to process the applications for ACT nomination.

Individuals without agent may apply directly without creating an account. Migration agents lodging an application on behalf of a client must create an agency account.

APPLYING FOR VISA

The applicant must make sure they satisfy the following:

• Department of Home Affairs criteria for a Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa.
• Complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) on Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect before applying. The applicant will receive an ID from Department of Home Affairs upon completion of EOI; this EOI ID must be included in the application for ACT 190 nomination.
• If application for ACT 190 nomination is approved, the EOI will be confirmed on SkillSelect and the visa invitation will be automatically issued by Department of Home Affairs. The candidate will then have 60 days to apply for a Skilled-Nominated (subclass 190) visa.
• ACT nomination does not guarantee that the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa will be granted.

AFTER VISA HAS BEEN GRANTED

The applicant must e-mail a copy of their visa grant notification to welcometocanberra@act.gov.au as soon as they receive it. The ACT provides a free settlement service to ACT 190 nominated migrants to help them settle in Canberra and provide information and advice to help move to Canberra by referring to the relevant websites. They’ll also provide some initial settlement support and advice, and keep a follow-up via phone/e-mail on regular intervals.

For detailed information on this please contact our regisered MARA Agents!