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
- 6 months for 25% of applications
- 50% of applications within 11 months
- In 75% of cases, it takes 16 months
- 90% of applications within 17 months
Visa 491 Points Tested Stream Processing Times (Subsequent Entrant)
- Five months for 25% of applications
- 50% of applications take 12 months
- 75% of cases in 15 months
- 90% of applications within 20 months
Subclass 491 Visa Processing Time 2024
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 2 to 8 weeks.
- 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
Conclusion
For talented individuals who want to live and work in remote Australia, there is a family-sponsored visa (491). You need to receive a minimum of 65 points in order 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
491 Visa Latest News
The NSW Government has made changes to the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) under Pathway 1. Now, skilled workers need only 6 months of employment instead of the previous requirement of 12 months. Additionally, new English language requirements have been introduced for Student and Temporary Graduate visas in Australia.
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 between 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?
Residency: You must currently reside either in NSW, having lived there continuously for at least three months, or offshore, having lived outside Australia continuously for at least three months.
Does 491 guarantee PR?
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is not a permanent residency. It allows skilled migrants to live, study, and work in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years. However, it provides a pathway to permanent residency after meeting certain eligibility criteria.
