Australia PR visas are mainly categorized into three subclasses:
- Subclass 189
- Subclass 190
- Subclass 491
Here is the comparison of the three key Australian PR subclasses based on the sponsorship requirements, best for, processing time, processing cost and pathways.
|
Visa Subclass |
Sponsorship Required Yes/No |
Best For |
Processing Time |
Processing Cost (Main Applicant) |
Pathways to PR / Citizenship |
|
Subclass 189 |
No sponsorship needed |
Skilled candidates not tied to a specific state can work anywhere in Australia. |
7–12 months expected for most cases |
AUD 4,640–4,910 |
Direct PR: Eligible for citizenship after 4 years (with at least 1 year as PR) |
|
Subclass 190 |
Yes, state/territory nomination required |
Skilled migrants nominated by state |
6 to 8 months expected for most cases |
AUD 4,640–4,910 |
Direct PR: Eligible for citizenship after 4 years (with at least 1 year as PR) |
|
Subclass 491 |
Yes, regional/state nomination required |
Skilled applicants willing to live or work in regional areas |
7 to 8 months expected for most cases |
AUD 4,640–4,910 |
Provisional visa: After 3 years meeting income/residency rules PR via Subclass 191: Citizenship eligibility after 4 years total (1 year as PR) |