Working and studying in a selected regional area of Australia is possible for the primary applicant and family members under the Skilled Work Regional provisional visa subclass 491. You must be sponsored by a qualifying relative or nominated to apply by an Australian state or territory government body to meet the requirements of this visa.
The processing times for this option aren’t conventional, like many other Australian visas. You have sixty days from the date of your invitation to apply for a visa subclass 491; once your application has been reviewed, you will get a written notification.
The subclass 491 visa is evaluated case-by-case, and the processing time is contingent upon filing a completed application and all the supporting documentation. The time required to carry out the required tests can vary significantly depending on the circumstances.
491 Visa Processing Time For Main Applicant’s Points Tested Stream (eoi processing time for 491)
- 6 months for 25% of applications
- 50% of applications within 22 months
- In 75% of cases, it takes 16 months
- 90% of applications within 26 months
Visa 491 Points Tested Stream Processing Times (Subsequent Entrant)
State/Territory Government Nominated Regional
- Five months for 25% of applications
- 50% of applications take 04 months
- 75% of cases in 15 months
- 90% of applications within 23 months
Subclass 491 Visa Processing Time 2025
Skilled Migration
- Skilled Nominated (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 190): Processing typically takes 2 to 8 weeks.
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491): Generally processed within 6 to 14 Months.
- Registration of Interest (ROI): ROI application processing times are unavailable.
Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 888):
- Typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Significant Business History Stream Review (Subclass 132):
- Typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Employer-Sponsored
- RCB Advice: Typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.
- DAMA Endorsement: Generally processed within 2 to 4 weeks.
- DAR Skills Assessment: Usually completed within 2 to 4 weeks.
Support Services
- Recognition of Qualifications: Generally takes 2 to 4 weeks.
- Recognition of Trade Skills: Typically processed within 2 to 4 weeks.
The time it takes for your 491 visa to be approved may vary depending on your situation. Your 491 visa to Australia may take longer to process for several reasons.
- Incomplete application lacking one or more required papers,
- Detain in answering the immigration authorities’ requests for further information,
- The time to verify and examine the data you submit and
- Delay in getting information from outside sources (health records, character references, and security-related information from the appropriate domestic authorities).
Currently, the 491 visa processing time is 12 weeks. However, in other cases, it could take longer (or some jobs).
A number of the recently completed applications, which had been submitted for several months, are subject to the following processing times:
Factors That Affect Visa 491 Processing Time
Visa 491 processing times may differ depending on the specifics of each application, including:
- If your application for a 491 visa is complete, it contains all required corroborating paperwork.
- How fast you acknowledge when someone requests more information.
- How long does it take to finish verifying the supporting data that has been submitted?
- How long does it take for you to get information on your skilled regional 491 visa application from outside agencies? It pertains specifically to the national security, morality, and health standards.
- Changes in the number of applications received
- Alterations to the plans and the ministerial instructions
491 Visa Processing Time Forum
The processing time for the 491 visa typically ranges from 6 to 14 months. However, this can vary based on several factors, such as the time taken for state nomination approval and how complete and accurate your application is at the time of submission.
Does 491 guarantee PR?
Is PR guaranteed after 491? Yes, Permanent residency is not automatically guaranteed after a Subclass 491 Visa; however, it provides a pathway to the Subclass 191 Visa (Permanent Residence [Skilled Regional)) if you meet specific criteria, including residency and work requirements in a designated regional area.
Conclusion
A family-sponsored visa (491) is available for talented individuals who want to live and work in remote Australia. You need to receive a minimum of 65 points to apply for a 491 family-sponsored visa. To offer sponsorship, you also need a close relative who resides in a remote area of Australia.
Applicants should allow a processing time of 11 to 19 months for their visa 491 application, presuming there aren’t unique situations that might result in a delay.
If you submit all the necessary paperwork, a migration agent Perth can help you expedite the subclass 491 processing times as the primary applicant or a subsequent entrant. He will advise you to raise your point total to guarantee visa clearance.
FAQ
What is the new rule for the 491 visa?
491 Subsequent Entrant Processing Time
If you hold a 491 visa and have recently married or entered a de facto relationship, you may want to apply for a 491 Subsequent Entrant visa to bring your spouse or partner to Australia. This visa typically takes 3 to 6 months to be granted.
How long does it take to get a 491 visa?
9 to 19 months
Typically, the 491 visa process takes 9 to 19 months for most applications without complications. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult the Australian Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent.
Can 491 be granted offshore?
Offshore skills migration in South Australia is exclusively available for Subclass 491 visas. Offshore applicants are typically required to meet higher criteria, including having an occupation listed on the eligible occupation list for the offshore stream.
491 visa latest news for offshore
For offshore applicants applying for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), essential updates include state-specific nomination criteria, priority occupation lists, and potential pathways to permanent residency.
Is PR guaranteed after 491?
Is PR guaranteed after 491? The Subclass 491 Visa provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Visa (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)). However, PR is not automatically guaranteed—you must meet specific residency and work requirements in a designated regional area to be eligible.
What is the latest news on the 491 visa nomination updates for the 2024–25 program year in Australia?
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) has undergone several recent changes for the 2024–25 program year. Many states have either closed their nomination programs or drastically reduced the number of available spots. For instance, Tasmania has completely closed its Overseas Applicant pathway under the Skilled Migration Program. The Northern Territory is now offering a limited number of nominations, prioritising eligible onshore applicants with specific visa expiry dates. In New South Wales, demand for the 491 visa—particularly under ‘Pathway 2’—remains high, prompting authorities to recommend that applicants explore alternative options.
What is the visa application fee for a Subclass 491 Subsequent Entrant in 2025?
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 491
Base Application Charge: AUD 4,910.00
Additional Applicant Charge (18 and over): AUD 2,455.00
Additional Applicant Charge (under 18): AUD 1,230.00
Non-Internet Application Charge: N/A
Subsequent Temporary Application Charge: N/A
