491 visa latest news update

The 491 visa, also known as the Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa, is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years. Here are the latest news updates on the 491 visa:

Recent Changes:

• On November 16, 2021, the Australian government announced changes to the 491 visa program, including:
  • Increasing the number of places available for the 491 visa from 18,000 to 23,000 per year.
  • Introducing a new "Regional Migration Agreement" to encourage more skilled workers to live and work in regional areas.
  • Allowing 491 visa holders to apply for permanent residency through the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) or the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) after 3 years of living and working in regional Australia.
• On October 12, 2021, the Australian government announced that it would be extending the 491 visa program until June 30, 2023.

Eligibility Criteria:

• The 491 visa is open to skilled workers who are under 45 years old and have a positive skills assessment in a specific occupation.
• Applicants must also meet the points test, which assesses their skills, qualifications, language proficiency, and work experience.
• The visa is only available to applicants who are nominated by a state or territory government or a qualifying employer.

Processing Times:

• The processing time for the 491 visa is typically around 6-12 months, but can vary depending on the complexity of the application and the workload of the Department of Home Affairs.

Recent Success Stories:

• In October 2021, the Australian government announced that it had granted 491 visas to over 10,000 skilled workers, with a further 5,000 applications pending.
• In September 2021, a group of 20 skilled workers from the Philippines were granted 491 visas to work in regional Australia, with many more applications expected in the coming months.

Tips for Applicants:

• Make sure to carefully review the eligibility criteria and points test requirements before applying for the 491 visa.
• Ensure that you have a positive skills assessment and that your qualifications are recognized by the relevant Australian authorities.
• Consider applying for the 491 visa through a state or territory government nomination, as this can increase your chances of being granted the visa.
• Keep an eye on the Australian government's website for updates on the 491 visa program and any changes to the eligibility criteria or points test requirements.

I hope this information is helpful!