General Skilled Migration (GSM) Visas

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General Skilled Migration (GSM) Visas

Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program provides multiple pathways for skilled professionals who want to live and work in Australia and pursue permanent residency. This stream is designed for applicants whose occupations are on the Skilled Occupation List and who meet the points test and other visa requirements. Nepcoms helps skilled applicants with eligibility checks, skills assessment coordination, points optimization, Expression of Interest (EOI) submissions, and state/regional nomination strategy.   

What Nepcoms helps with

  • Skilled visa pathway comparison (189 vs 190 vs 491)
  • Skills assessment support
  • Points test planning
  • SkillSelect EOI preparation
  • State nomination strategy for 190 and 491
  • Documentation and visa lodgement support   

GSM pathways we support

  • Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
  • Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
  • Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
  • Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) as a pathway support visa
  • Skilled Regional Permanent Visa (Subclass 191) 

Who this is for

  • Skilled workers offshore or onshore
  • International students planning PR pathways
  • Applicants seeking state nomination or regional nomination
  • Applicants improving points through English, work experience, or qualification strategy   
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Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is a points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers who do not need state nomination or employer sponsorship. It allows eligible applicants to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia as permanent residents. Nepcoms helps you assess your points, complete your skills assessment, and submit a strong SkillSelect EOI. 

Eligibility highlights

  • Occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
  • Positive skills assessment from the relevant authority
  • Minimum 65 points (competitive scores may be higher)
  • Age under 45 at invitation
  • Competent English (higher English can improve points)
  • Invitation to apply via SkillSelect EOI 

Key benefits

  • No state or territory restrictions
  • Permanent residence from day one
  • Pathway to citizenship
  • Include eligible family members
  • Access to Medicare and social services 

How Nepcoms supports your 189 application

  • Occupation and eligibility review
  • Skills assessment guidance
  • Points optimization strategy
  • EOI preparation and submission
  • Visa documentation and lodgement support 

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

The Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) is a state-nominated skilled migration visa that provides permanent residency and extra points through state or territory nomination. It is a strong option for applicants who need nomination support and meet a state’s occupation and nomination criteria. Nepcoms helps identify the best state strategy and prepares nomination applications aligned with state priorities. 

Key features

  • State nomination gives 5 bonus points
  • Permanent residency pathway
  • Often lower threshold than Subclass 189
  • Occupation may be on MLTSSL or STSOL
  • State-specific eligibility and commitment requirements apply 

Important consideration

Applicants are typically expected to live and work in the nominating state for a period after visa grant. Nepcoms helps plan your state nomination strategy based on occupation demand, policy settings, and your background. 

How Nepcoms helps

  • Compare state nomination options
  • Review occupation list eligibility
  • Prepare state nomination submissions
  • Optimize points and EOI for state invitation chances   
  1. Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

The Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) is a regional skilled migration visa designed for applicants willing to live and work in regional Australia. It offers a substantial points advantage and a pathway to permanent residency through Subclass 191 after meeting the required conditions. Nepcoms supports both state and family-sponsored regional pathways where applicable. 

Why many applicants choose 491

  • 15 points for regional nomination
  • Lower competition than metro-focused pathways
  • Access to regional occupation lists
  • 5-year provisional visa with work and study rights
  • PR pathway through Subclass 191 after meeting requirements 

Regional Australia advantages

  • Lower cost of living
  • Strong demand in many occupations
  • Family-friendly communities
  • Regional study may provide additional points 

How Nepcoms helps

  • Regional pathway planning
  • State nomination and regional occupation strategy
  • EOI support and document preparation
  • 491 to 191 long-term planning  

FAQ's

We provide expert guidance, personalized solutions, and end-to-end support for your academic and career goals.

A registered migration agent provides professional advice and assistance for Australian visa applications, migration planning, eligibility checks, documentation, and communication with the Department. Nepcoms offers support across skilled migration, employer-sponsored visas, student visas, partner visas, and family visas.

A MARA-registered migration agent is authorized to give Australian immigration advice under the migration framework. This gives applicants professional guidance, better application preparation, and support with complex visa pathways, policy updates, and documentation requirements.

The best pathway depends on your age, occupation, English score, work experience, education, and family situation. Common PR pathways include Skilled Independent Visa (189), Skilled Nominated Visa (190), Skilled Work Regional Visa (491) leading to 191, and Employer Nomination Scheme (186). Nepcoms assesses multiple pathways to find the strongest option.

Subclass 189 is a points-tested skilled visa without state nomination. Subclass 190 is a state-nominated skilled visa that gives extra points and PR. Subclass 491 is a regional skilled visa with more nomination points and a pathway to permanent residency through Subclass 191 after meeting eligibility requirements.

The minimum threshold is 65 points, but competitive invitations are often much higher depending on the visa subclass, occupation demand, and invitation rounds. Strong English scores, skilled work experience, and state or regional nomination can improve your total points. 

You can improve points by increasing your English score, gaining skilled work experience, completing eligible qualifications, using spouse skills where applicable, and applying for state nomination (190) or regional nomination (491). Regional nomination provides a larger points boost. 

Yes, skills assessment is required for General Skilled Migration visas and many employer-sponsored pathways. The assessing authority depends on your occupation and visa category. Nepcoms helps coordinate skills assessment preparation and submission. 

The Skills in Demand (SID) visa is the updated employer-sponsored temporary work visa framework replacing the older TSS system. It is structured by salary tiers and skills demand, with pathways to permanent residency for eligible applicants.

Yes. Many international students use a study-to-PR pathway by choosing suitable courses, gaining Australian qualifications, improving English, building work experience, and transitioning through visas such as Subclass 485 and then skilled or employer-sponsored visas.

Yes. Student visa holders generally have limited work rights during study periods and broader work rights during scheduled breaks, subject to current visa conditions. Nepcoms advises students on compliance and long-term migration planning.