All three are skilled visas, but they differ in how you obtain them and what they allow. This is a general information guide — not a recommendation for your case — comparing nomination, permanent vs provisional nature, and regional requirements. We don't recommend one over another; we point you to the official sources.
Who nominates you: nomination
The most important difference is who backs your application. All three are managed through SkillSelect, but the source of backing differs:
- 189 (Skilled Independent): no necesita nominación de un estado ni patrocinio; se basa en tus puntos y tu ocupación.
- 190 (Skilled Nominated): requiere la nominación de un estado o territorio (listado oficial del 190); a cambio suele sumar puntos al perfil.
- 491 (Skilled Work Regional): requiere la nominación de un estado o territorio regional, o el patrocinio de un familiar elegible que vive en una zona regional.
- 189 (Skilled Independent): needs no state nomination or sponsorship; it rests on your points and occupation.
- 190 (Skilled Nominated): requires nomination by a state or territory (official 190 listing); in return it usually adds points to your profile.
- 491 (Skilled Work Regional): requires nomination by a regional state or territory, or sponsorship by an eligible relative living in a regional area.
- 189（独立技术类）：无需州担保或赞助；取决于你的分数与职业。
- 190（州担保类）：需要某个州或领地的提名（官方 190 清单）；作为回报通常会在打分上加分。
- 491（偏远地区工作类）：需要偏远地区州或领地的提名，或居住在偏远地区、符合条件的亲属担保。
Permanent vs provisional
The nature of the visa changes by subclass:
- 189: permanente desde el inicio; permite vivir y trabajar en cualquier parte de Australia.
- 190: permanente; suele incluir un compromiso de vivir en el estado que lo nominó por un tiempo.
- 491: provisional (temporal), pensada para zonas regionales, con un camino definido hacia la residencia.
- 189: permanent from the start; lets you live and work anywhere in Australia.
- 190: permanent; usually includes a commitment to live in the nominating state for a period.
- 491: provisional (temporary), aimed at regional areas, with a defined path to residence.
- 189：从一开始就为永久，可在澳大利亚任何地方生活和工作。
- 190：永久，通常附带在提名州居住一段时期的承诺。
- 491：临时（provisional），面向偏远地区，并设有通往居留的明确路径。
Regional requirements and path to residence
The 491 requires living and working in a designated regional area during its term; it can then lead to a permanent visa if conditions are met. The 189 and 190 have no such regional limit. The official 491 listing details the path to residence.
When each applies (information, not a recommendation)
Each profile fits differently; none is “better” by default:
- La 189 suele aplicar a quienes reúnen puntos suficientes sin necesidad del apoyo de un estado.
- La 190 suele aplicar a quienes cuentan con el respaldo de un estado y cuya ocupación figura en su lista.
- La 491 suele aplicar a quienes apuntan a una zona regional o tienen un familiar elegible allí.
- The 189 typically applies to those who reach enough points without needing a state's support.
- The 190 typically applies to those with a state's backing whose occupation is on its list.
- The 491 typically applies to those aiming at a regional area or with an eligible relative there.
- 189 通常适用于无需州支持、自身分数已足够的人。
- 190 通常适用于获得某州支持、且职业在其清单上的人。
- 491 通常适用于瞄准偏远地区、或在当地有符合条件的亲属的人。
The next step
Every occupation and every state has its own lists and priorities. If you'd like to look at how this applies to your case, contact us and we'll go through it with you.
Want to review your situation? Contact us →
General information · not individual legal advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-27 · Source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au (subclasses 189, 190, 491)