Yes you can apply for a Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa while holding a Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional visa if you meet the eligibility requirements and obtain state or territory nomination. Your 491 visa stays valid while your 190 application is processed, and this pathway can help you achieve permanent residency earlier than waiting for the 191 visa.
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491 to 190 Visa Switch: Quick Answer
Understanding the differences between these two visas is crucial for deciding whether switching makes sense for your situation.
Feature | 491 Visa (Regional) | 190 Visa (Permanent) |
Visa Type | Provisional (5 years) | PERMANENT Residency |
PR Pathway | Must apply for 191 after 3 years | Immediate PR on the grant |
Points Bonus | +15 points for nomination | +5 points for nomination |
Location | Must live in a designated regional area | Any location in the nominating state |
Medicare | Yes (provisional access) | Full Medicare access |
Citizenship Path | After 191 grant + 1 year | Direct path to citizenship |
Why Switch from 491 to 190?
While the 491 visa provides a solid pathway to permanent residency through the 191 visa, there are several reasons why 491 holders choose to switch to a 190 visa instead:
Immediate Permanent Residency
The 190 visa grants immediate permanent residency upon approval. With the 491 pathway, you must wait at least 3 years before applying for the 191 visa, then wait for processing. The 190 eliminates this waiting period.
Location Flexibility
491 visa holders are bound by Condition 8579, requiring them to live, work, and study only in designated regional areas. Breaking this condition can jeopardise your pathway to PR. The 190 visa allows you to live and work anywhere in your nominating state, including major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane (depending on which state nominates you).
No Income Documentation Required for PR
Important Update: The 191 visa pathway requires you to provide 3 years of Australian Tax Office (ATO) Notices of Assessment. While there is no longer a minimum income threshold, you must demonstrate continuous economic participation. The 190 visa has no such requirement – you receive PR immediately upon grant.
Better Career Opportunities
Regional areas may have limited job opportunities in certain industries. The 190 visa opens access to major employment markets, potentially leading to better career prospects and higher salaries.
190 Visa Eligibility Requirements (2026)
To apply for the Subclass 190 visa while on a 491, you must meet these federal requirements:
Requirement | Details |
Age | Under 45 at the time of invitation |
Points Test | Minimum 65 points (including 5 points for state nomination) |
Skills Assessment | Positive assessment for occupation on the relevant skills list |
English | Competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent) |
State Nomination | Must be nominated by an Australian state or territory |
Health & Character | Meet health requirements and pass character checks |
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How to Switch from 491 to 190: 5-Step Process
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Before proceeding, confirm you meet all federal requirements listed above. If you obtained your 491 visa, you likely already have a skills assessment and English results, but check they are still valid.
Step 2: Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Submit an EOI through the SkillSelect system, selecting the Subclass 190 visa and indicating your preferred state(s) for nomination. Your EOI is valid for 2 years and can be updated if your circumstances change (e.g., improved English score).
Step 3: Apply for State Nomination
Each state has different nomination requirements. In 2026, key considerations include:
- NSW & Victoria: Priority for healthcare, education, infrastructure sectors
- South Australia & Tasmania: More accessible pathways, broader occupation lists
- Western Australia: Often requires 6+ months employment in WA
- Victoria: Requires separate Registration of Interest (ROI) on Live in Melbourne portal
Step 4: Receive Invitation to Apply
If nominated, you will receive an invitation to apply for the 190 visa. You have 60 days to lodge your application from the date of invitation.
Step 5: Lodge Your 190 Visa Application
Submit your application through ImmiAccount with all required documents including skills assessment, English results, employment evidence, and health/character documents. Your 491 visa remains valid during processing.
Bridging Visa: If you apply for the 190 while in Australia on your 491, you will automatically be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA) to remain lawfully in Australia while your application is processed.
Case Example: 491 to 190 Switch
Client Scenario: A software engineer on a 491 visa in regional NSW was struggling to find work matching their skills. After 18 months, they approached CMI Legal about switching to the 190 visa. We helped them update their EOI, apply for Victoria’s nomination (which had better opportunities for IT professionals), and successfully obtained their 190 visa – achieving permanent residency without waiting the full 3 years required for the 191 pathway.
Can I Apply for 190 While on a 491 Bridging Visa?
Yes, you can apply for a 190 visa while holding a Bridging Visa A, B, or C associated with your 491 application. You can also apply from onshore while holding a substantive 491 visa.
Key points to understand about bridging visas:
- A new Bridging Visa A is automatically granted when you lodge a 190 application from within Australia
- Your bridging visa maintains your lawful status until a decision is made
- Work rights typically continue on the bridging visa
- Travel restrictions may apply – you may need a Bridging Visa B for travel
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for 190 while on a 491 visa?
Yes. You can apply for a Subclass 190 visa while holding a 491 visa, provided you meet the 190 eligibility requirements, including state nomination, points test, skills assessment, and English language requirements. Your 491 visa remains valid while your 190 application is processed.
Will my 491 visa be cancelled if I apply for 190?
No. Your 491 visa continues to be valid while your 190 application is being processed. If your 190 application is refused, you can continue on your 491 visa (assuming it hasn’t expired). If your 190 is granted, your 491 visa will cease.
Can I apply for 190 while on a 491 bridging visa?
Yes. You can apply for a 190 visa from a Bridging Visa A, B, or C. When you lodge your 190 application from within Australia, you will automatically be granted a new Bridging Visa A to maintain your lawful status.
What is the difference between a 491 and a 190 visa?
The key difference is that the 190 visa is a permanent visa granting immediate PR, while the 491 is a provisional visa valid for 5 years, requiring you to apply for the 191 visa for PR. The 491 requires regional living (Condition 8579), while the 190 allows you to live anywhere in your nominating state. The 491 gives 15 bonus points; the 190 gives 5 bonus points.
How do I get a PR after a 491 visa?
There are two pathways to PR from a 491 visa: (1) The 191 visa pathway requires living in a regional area for 3 years and providing 3 ATO Notices of Assessment. (2) The 190 visa pathway offers immediate PR if you can secure state nomination and meet eligibility requirements.
Do I need to stay in a regional area for 3 years before applying for 190?
No. The 3-year regional residency requirement is for the 191 visa pathway, not the 190. You can apply for the 190 at any time during your 491 visa, provided you meet the 190 eligibility criteria and can obtain state nomination.
Can I apply for 190 and 491 at the same time?
Yes. You can have separate EOIs for both the 190 and 491 visas simultaneously. If you receive invitations for both, you will need to choose which visa to apply for. You can only accept one invitation and must let the other expire.
What happens if my 190 application is refused?
If your 190 application is refused while you hold a valid 491 visa, you can continue on your 491 visa. If you were on a bridging visa, you may need to make alternative arrangements. You should seek legal advice promptly to understand your options, including potential appeal rights.
Is the 191 visa income requirement still $53,900?
Important Update: As of 2023, there is no minimum income threshold for the 191 visa. However, you must provide 3 years of ATO Notices of Assessment demonstrating economic participation. This makes the 190 pathway attractive for those who may have had lower incomes during their 491 period.
How long does the 190 visa processing take?
Processing times vary but typically range from 6 to 12 months in 2026. Factors affecting processing include completeness of your application, health and character checks, and Department workloads. Front-loading your application with all required documents can help expedite processing.
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22:10 18 Feb 26
David Lin
11:41 23 Nov 25
Many thanks to Senior Lawyer Tina Tang for helping me handle the sale of my property in Sydney. She liaised with the real estate, banks and buyers broker and explained everything well and handled the sale meticulously.Her professional ability, experience and sense of responsibility are trustworthy. I recommend Tina and CMI for anyone looking for support in real estate sales.
David Lin
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Denis Lebrun
00:14 21 Nov 25
John Zhang has been absolutely great in helping me with my EOI and application for a skilled visa in Australia. On both calls I've had with John, I have had a multitude of questions for him which he answered in depth and gave me all the information I required. He really has a great amount of knowledge and I would highly recommend him and the CMI legal team for their efficiency and professionalism.
Jing LI
03:22 30 Sep 25
I was very fortunate to have Tina TANG from CMI as my conveyancing solicitor for the recent sale of my property. She demonstrated exceptional professionalism and dedication throughout the entire process — from preparing the contract, exchanging contracts, right through to settlement. What impressed me the most is that even after settlement, she continued to go above and beyond to assist me as the vendor, making sure everything was properly taken care of.
Her diligence, patience, and attention to detail gave me great peace of mind and took away a lot of the stress of selling a property. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a reliable, professional, and truly supportive conveyancing solicitor. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Her diligence, patience, and attention to detail gave me great peace of mind and took away a lot of the stress of selling a property. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a reliable, professional, and truly supportive conveyancing solicitor. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sabrina Ng
06:57 12 Aug 25
Outstanding service from start to finish. Tina Tang handled my unit's sales contract with exceptional professionalism. Communication was always clear and prompt, making the whole process smooth and stree free. I highly recommand Tina to anyone seeking a reliable and knowledgeable solicitor.
Max Swan
22:16 01 Jul 25
I’ve had an incredibly positive experience working with John & Winnie on my matter. From start to finish, they have been professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely supportive throughout what’s been a stressful time for me.
They explained every step of the process clearly, responded promptly to any questions I had, and made complicated situations feel a lot more manageable. I felt like I was in good hands the entire time, and their calm, confident approach really helped me stay grounded.
Highly recommend CMI services to anyone needing immigration or legal assistance — couldn’t be more grateful.
Thanks again!
They explained every step of the process clearly, responded promptly to any questions I had, and made complicated situations feel a lot more manageable. I felt like I was in good hands the entire time, and their calm, confident approach really helped me stay grounded.
Highly recommend CMI services to anyone needing immigration or legal assistance — couldn’t be more grateful.
Thanks again!
danny
11:57 26 Jun 25
As an old customer of CMI, this year is already the 8th year. Special thanks to attorney John and attorney Tina for carefully answering our various questions, providing a lot of professional advice and help, allowing us to easily complete each transaction.
Vivien Lu
01:39 23 May 25
Tina was a great lawyer - she was always incredibly knowledgeable, answered all questions promptly, and very friendly. Would recommend Tina!
Zhiyi LI
04:58 14 Mar 25
Jeremy Tong
22:32 20 Sep 24
Tina was a great help in guiding us through our first home buying experience. She gave us a lot of great explanations and advice from initial discussion of the process through every step until successful settlement. Communication and resolution of issues was prompt and professional.
Yun Jung Hsieh
05:56 12 Aug 24
Tina is a fantastic lawyer. her responses to my queries were thorough and timely, and impeccable organizational skills! Truly appreciated her clear and consistent communcation througout the entire property-purchasing process. she handled everything with profressionalism and expertise, making what could have been a stressful experience much smoother. Highly recommend!
Jeena Jung
05:04 06 Aug 24
We had the pleasure of working with Tina as our solicitor for our first home purchase, and we couldn’t have been in better hands. She carefully explained every step of the process, guiding us through what initially felt overwhelming and unfamiliar. Buying off the plan made us particularly cautious, especially when it came to reviewing legal documents. Tina’s meticulous approach put us at ease—she ensured we both clearly understood each aspect, taking the time to highlight and reorganise information to make it more accessible. Her dedication and professionalism made the entire experience far less daunting, and we’re truly grateful for her support.
Keyu Jiang
10:03 05 Aug 24
John and Tina have provided great professional legal service since 2017 for me.
Ian Pereira
09:18 04 Jul 24
I realised that I hadn’t left a review for my dealings with CMI legal. I had dealt with them a few months ago, but an epiphany made me come and leave a review.
5 stars is insufficient to express their work. We were working Dee and she is an amazing and thorough professional. She goes above and beyond and explains matters that makes you understand things really well. Thank you Dee for your amazing work.
5 stars is insufficient to express their work. We were working Dee and she is an amazing and thorough professional. She goes above and beyond and explains matters that makes you understand things really well. Thank you Dee for your amazing work.
