There has been an important update for skilled migrants hoping to secure nomination from New South Wales under the Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190 program.
New South Wales has now invited enough Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to fill its nomination allocation for the Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190 for the current 2025–2026 program year. As a result, no further invitations will be issued for the Subclass 190 visa until the Australian Government provides a new allocation at the beginning of the 2026–2027 program year.
This means applicants who were hoping to receive a NSW 190 invitation this program year will now need to wait until the next allocation round opens after July 2026.
We would like to warmly congratulate all applicants who successfully received an invitation for the Subclass 190 visa this year. Receiving a state nomination is a significant achievement and an exciting step toward permanent residency in Australia.
What About the Subclass 491 Visa?
While the NSW 190 stream is now closed for this program year, there is still good news for skilled migrants exploring regional pathways.
New South Wales will continue issuing invitations for the Skilled Work Regional Visa Subclass 491 under Pathway 2 until the state’s nomination allocation is reached. An invitation round for the Subclass 491 Pathway 2 was conducted last week, and invitations are expected to continue while places remain available.
The Subclass 491 visa can be an excellent option for skilled workers who are open to living and working in regional Australia. It also provides a pathway toward permanent residency for eligible applicants in the future.
What This Means for Skilled Migrants
If you were aiming for NSW nomination under the Subclass 190 visa, now is the time to:
- Review alternative visa pathways
- Consider regional opportunities through the Subclass 491 visa
- Ensure your Expression of Interest is up to date
- Strengthen your application where possible, including English scores, work experience, or partner points
- Prepare early for the next NSW 190 program year
With invitation quotas becoming increasingly competitive across Australia, having a clear migration strategy is more important than ever.
At Australian Visa and Immigration Experts (AVIE), we help skilled migrants understand their options and build strong visa strategies tailored to their circumstances.
If you would like guidance on your eligibility for the Subclass 190 or Subclass 491 visa pathways, get in touch with our team today.