Can I upgrade from a 494 visa to a 189 or 190 visa? What you can and can't do when migrating to Australia

If you are in Australia on a Subclass 494 visa, or you are considering this option, you have probably asked yourself this key question:👉 Can I move from the 494 visa to the 189 or 190 and obtain permanent residency?

The short answer is: it depends on your migration status, employment situation, and overall strategy.The correct answer is longer—and that is exactly what we are going to explain today, in a clear, honest, and up-to-date way for migrating to Australia in 2026.

What is the 494 visa and what should you understand from the start?

The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) is a regional work visa sponsored by an employer located in a designated regional area of Australia.

🔹 It is temporary (up to 5 years)

🔹 It requires you to live and work in a regional area

🔹 It is designed as a pathway to permanent residency, but not directly to every visa

This is where many misunderstandings—and costly mistakes—begin.

🚦 Can I move from the 494 visa to the 189?

❌ In most cases: NO

The Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) visa is an independent visa, with no employer or state sponsorship. However, if you hold a 494 visa, you should be aware of the following:

❌ You cannot apply directly for the 189 while you are still subject to the conditions of the 494

❌ The 189 is generally not available for regional occupations

❌ Breaching the conditions of the 494 can negatively affect future visa applications

📌 Rare exception:This may only be possible if you lawfully end your 494 status, meet all 189 requirements, have an eligible occupation, and achieve an extremely competitive points score. In practice, this is not the recommended pathway.

✅ What about moving from the 494 to the 190? Here’s where it gets nuanced

The Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) visa can be an option, but it is neither automatic nor guaranteed.

✔️ What IS possible:

You may apply for a 190 visa if:

• Your occupation is on a state nomination list

• You have a positive Skills Assessment Australia

• The state accepts your profile

• You meet points, English, and work experience requirements

  
  

Some states value regional work experience, which can work in your favor.

⚠️ What you must NOT ignore:

• Each state has different nomination criteria

• Some states do not accept applicants with active employer-sponsored visas

• Others require a minimum period of regional employment

• Poorly exiting a 494 visa can damage your migration history

  
  

This is where professional migration advice in Australia truly makes a difference.

🧠 The most direct pathway from the 494: the 191 visa

Although many people ask about the 189 or 190, you should know that the natural pathway from the 494 is the Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence – Regional) visa.

🔹 After 3 years of living and working in a regional area

🔹 Meeting minimum income requirements

🔹 Complying with all visa conditions

👉 It is the safest and most consistent pathway, even if it is not always the fastest.

🛡️ Why you should not make this decision without a MARA agent

Transitions between visas involve real legal risks.That is why it is essential to work with registered migration agents in Australia, regulated by OMARA and authorised to represent you before the Department of Home Affairs.

At AustraliaPRO, our Registered Migration Agents Australia assess:

• Your current visa and its conditions

• Your occupation and Skills Assessment

• Realistic strategies towards the 189, 190, or 191

• Hidden risks that many applicants overlook

  
  

Yes, progress is possible—but only with the right strategy

👉 Moving from the 494 to the 189: rarely viable

👉 Moving from the 494 to the 190: possible in specific cases

👉 191 visa: the most solid pathway to permanent residency

The key is not to improvise, but to plan with accurate information and expert advice. One wrong step can delay—or completely block—your permanent residency in Australia.

At AustraliaPRO, we help you choose the right pathway based on your profile, your region, and your real long-term goals.

💡 If you want expert advice for your 2026 application, contact us. Let’s prepare together to fulfill your Australian dream — without anything to hide! At AustraliaPRO, together with our MARA registered migration agents, we are here to support you every step of the way.  Write to us on WhatsApp and request your free consultation here.

To stay updated with the latest news on migration and Skills Assessment—and to connect with other professionals on the same path—we invite you to join our exclusive WhatsApp group. There, you can share experiences, solve doubts in real time, and receive continuous support from our team and fellow migrants. You’re not alone in this journey! Join now and be part of a community of professionals committed to their future in Australia.