491 Visa processing time: What do you need to know?

The Skilled work regional provisional visa, also known as the Subclass 491 visa, allows skilled migrants to live, work, and study in designed regional areas of Australia for up to five years. After three years of residing in the country, the applicant can apply for Australia PR. To be eligible for this visa, an applicant must be sponsored by a qualifying relative or nominated to apply for an Australian state or territory government to meet the visa requirements.

 

Generally, the processing time for a Subclass 491 visa is around 9-19 months, unlike other Australian visas. However, applicants have sixty days from the date of the invitation to apply once the application is being reviewed.

 

491 Visa Processing Time for Main Applicant’s Points Tested Stream

Percentage of applicants	Number of days
For 25% of applications	6 months
For 50% of applications	11 months
For 75% of applications	16 months
For 90% of applicants	17 months

 

Visa 491 Points Tested Stream Processing Times (Subsequent Entrant)

Percentage of applicants	Number of days
For 25% of applications	5 months
For 50% of applications	12 months
For 75% of applications	15 months
For 90% of applicants	20 months

 

Subclass 491 Visa Processing Time 2024 Skilled Migration

There are three processing times for Subclass 491 visa Skilled Migration:

 

• Skilled Nomination (Permanent visa) (Subclass 190): Processing takes around 2-8 weeks
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491): Processing takes 2-8 weeks.
• Registration of Interest: ROI application processing times are unavailable

 

Factors That Affect Visa 491 Processing Time

The Processing time of Subclass 491 can vary depending on the specific of each application, including:

 

• If your application for a Subclass 491 visa is complete and attached with the required documentation.
• If the applicant acknowledges and replies quickly when asked for more information.
• It depends on how long the centre takes to verify the applicant’s information.
• It depends on how long it takes the applicant to get information on their skilled regional 491 visa application from outside agencies
• Depends on the number of applications received
• Adjustment to the plans and the ministerial instruction

 

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance to migrate to Australia? Talk to Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in Australia.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the processing time to get a Subclass 491 visa?

The Subclass 491 visa processing time takes around 9-19 months for most of the applicants.

2. Can 491 be granted offshore?

If an applicant has lived either in NSW for at least three months or offshore or has lived outside Australia continuously for at least three years, they can be granted offshore.

3. Does 491 guarantee PR?

No, the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) doesn’t guarantee a PR. It allows skilled migrants to live, study, and work in designated regional areas of Australia for up to five years. However, it provides a pathway to permanent residency after meeting certain eligibility criteria.

4. What is the 491 visa latest news?

According to the NSW government, it has made changes to the Subclass 491 visa under Pathway 1. Now, skilled workers have only 6 months of employment instead of the previous requirement of 12 months. A new English Language requirement has also been announced for Student and Temporary Graduate visas in Australia.