Australian Immigration News 23.11.24. The PR 191 visa - The Essentials

[@Richardbh14]

A 191 visa holder here. Thanks for your valuable information and migration services. I'm just waiting some months to submit my citizenship application. 💪💪💪

[@troynguyen1346]

Hi Karl, 191 visa applicant here Can you convey our message to DOH please? We keep our promise of living and working in regional areas, contributing to regional towns and cities. Now it’s the government turn to keep their promise by granting 191 visa promptly. This waiting and discrimination against regional visa holders are insane. No child car subsidy, FIRB, foreign stamp duty to buy house, limited job opportunity. This is just too unfair, and sad, and inhuman way to treat us. I feel like we are just cash cows to the government and their desire is to squeeze every last drops from us and to prolong our suffering.

[@oliver6223]

The "I feel like" can be deleted from your last sentence

[@troynguyen1346]

Labour government, they are liars, same as Liberal, nothing changed. They promised to deal with the back log, now they made this even messier.

[@fch00123]

Hello Karl, thanks for all your informative videos. This is about the 491 visa and its waiting time to be granted. After spending years living and working in regional Australia you get the invite for 491 and it takes at least 2 years of wait to be granted. Then another 3 years from the date of grant to be eligible to apply for 191. My concern is why do they give a PR pathway to 482 visa holders in 2 years and 186 in just 3 years and not give the ones serving regional Australia a better and a convenient pathway to PR. At least consider the time you’ve spent working and living in regional Australia from the time you apply or bring down the processing time or bring down the time to be eligible for 191. And then probably another waiting time for 191 to be granted. Living regional is always not the same as living in metro. Pay rates are low, less job opportunities but expenses are the same as metro areas I believe including renting, prices of essential goods etc. What is your opinion about this. Would appreciate to hear from you. Thanks

[@parthpatel9999]

The processing time for the 491 visa has become incredibly frustrating, now stretching beyond 23 months. Meanwhile, applicants for the 189 and 190 visas-both offering permanent residency-enjoy benefits like Medicare even while on a bridging visa. In contrast, 491 visa holders face over 20 months of waiting without Medicare access. And that’s just the beginning-they then have to spend three years in regional Australia before applying for the 191 visa, followed by even more waiting. It’s disheartening for those on the 491 visa who are genuinely contributing to the growth of regional Australia. The government’s migration strategy claimed that regional visa processing would be a priority, but this now feels like an empty promise. The system appears broken, leaving applicants feeling let down and unsupported.

[@thetruthinquirer]

Immigration should fair and allow the processing time to be part of the 3 years regional requirements because the procession time is part and parcel of the visa vetting process. All those Applicants who had their 491 visas issued should start from the date of compliances to the 491 visa requirements. And its not fair or logical to punished the applicants for the long processing times.

[@thunderstrike2009]

​@@thetruthinquirer well said

[@Big_chungis]

Go home we are full

[@ggill2311]

It's unfortunate that the 491 family-sponsored stream is largely inactive. This stream was designed to encourage migrants to settle and establish themselves in regional areas close to their family members, promoting community support and regional development.

[@shahzadmian2001]

191 visa applicant going frustrated due to its processing time which is reached 09 months which is totally unfair please raise voice for us

[@fernandamonteirosoaresdasi1359]

494 pathway currently is much harder than 482 pathway. That makes no sense if they want people to be in regional areas. And now so many people are gonna go 482>186, there will be few PR spots left for other visas

[@CM-ef8fu]

Thank you Karl!

[@DaneBasson-vs8mc]

Hi Karl, I just wanted to say thank you for all your informative content. I was wondering why NSW have not had an invitation round in November, and if you think they will start inviting for 190 soon?

[@thunderstrike2009]

Hi Karl, Thanks for providing nice clear info. Just a small question if a person is granted 491 today is he bound to comply with 191 requirements as of today or he has to comply the requirements at that time when his 3 years are spent.

[@JahangirKhan-ic5up]

Hi Karl, Thanks for sharing your much anticipated videos. I have a question about the 191 visa. If someone (overseas applicant) completes three years on the 491 visa but still needs a few more months to get their third Notice of Assessment, can they lodge the 191 visa application after reaching the three-year mark and provide the third NOA later to reduce and account for any delays in the current processing times? Looking forward to your advice.

[@fatimasaad6923]

Looking forward to the reply

[@SanBernardo-p3j]

I think this note is important to clarify for regional sponsorships pathway: So, you can be in AU as many days as you want for 191, even 3 days, but if after 191 you want to obtain citizenship, you should have stayed 4 years onshore in total, right?

[@RANJNASETHI-c7p]

I received negative outcome from VETASSESS So Can I apply again? What types of changes should be in my employment docs material?

[@RuanBB1]

Hi Carl thanks for the info. Any news yet on the 482 to 186 TRT and working for a single employer for 2 years and if they are going to change that you do not need to work for the same employer for 2 years? Thanks Carl

[@hussainjaffri3141]

Thanks

[@ravinducolombage2707]

Hi Carl, you are correct, visa doesn’t say that we have to stay for 3 years in a regional area however upon applying we can’t go pass page 4/17 on the immi account application. Does this mean we have to stay for 3 year in order for us to apply?

[@ngocluu2859]

It's currently almost getting up to 10 months for 191 granted approval. Meanwhile for who has been under 494, they hold 482 for 2 - 3 years before getting 494, then keep 494 for 3 year, and another year for waiting, so it makes around 7 years in total to get 191, why now 482 only need 2 - 3 years go go straight for 186? It's not fair for 494 holder. 494 holders need to commit their lives in regional area, struggling to find rentals as those agents never prefer non PR residents. Stampt duty and FIRB for 494 visa are freaking ridiculous. So we got stuck right here, no PR no house, even staying in regional doesn't give us any priority. Any helpful solution? If the long waiting time still remains, please remove FIRB for 494 and makes properties easier to access . If we have nowhere to live how can we work/ wait to comply with our visa condition? Anyone have the same thought?

[@AdventurismPk]

How much time does SA take on average these days, to assess 190 nomination application till issuance of final invite?

[@kent7285]

How about the sons/daughters of primary applicants for 491? Can they lodge 191 seperate from their parents and include their eventual spouses?

[@helbertvalencia5690]

Waiting almost 2 years for a 491 Visa to be granted is disheartening and cruel

[@joetom58]

Hi Karl not sure if you ever encountered seafarers as your client. But a question if you are on a 491 visa and join a Ship in Australian water's. I know the employer details I can put in my company. But what will I update as my residence as I am living on s6hip with no post code?

[@jof1495]

Hi - just wandering if the 191visa criteria outlined in your video are the same for 494 visa holders under DAMA agreements?

[@UmairBajwa-j3w]

Hi Karl. Do we need to stay in regional area while 191 in process? Or After 191 we can move to Sydney or Melbourne?

[@troynguyen1346]

@@UmairBajwa-j3w you need to wait until your 191 is granted before you can move to metro areas. After it’s granted you are free you can live anywhere you like

[@hubslearning2913]

Karl you have to talk about people getting 189 then getting the invitation again for 190 this keeps the merit and path unclear for other one.

[@PinkRobinCamp]

Oh I dead sure i m not going to be in the country. I will apply 191 outside the country. Why? Because 1 year in the reguonal i can't get any jobs! 20 years global experience MBA from top UK Uni Worked in Japan, UK, Singapore, Malaysia, US. Australia put me at 491. All the global companies want to hire me but couldn't bc of this restrictionn Damn it. I left. I formed a company and use that for 3 taxations . I park my saving at high interest account. Total waste of my time and i will lodge PR to max out my benefit later .

[@syedfarazjawaid9183]

HI Karl, I am on 491 visa and residing in regional area of Australia, but I am struggling to find job in region. However, I have savings to survive. my question is if my situation would remain same still I will be eligible for 191 visa after completing 3 years on 491 visa? please respond.

[@PinkRobinCamp]

You're not alone . I have 20 years global working experience MBA from the UK. AU granted me 491. It has been a year I can't get any jobs. All the companies required my global skillsets require me to be base in the cities. Doesn't make sense. I realised I m just a cash cow and less competent people get the job in the cities. Flob migration. Total BS. My salary is £120k. AUD 230k. They low ball me at aud150k My

[@troynguyen1346]

@@PinkRobinCamp we need to stand together and get our voice heard. No one care about us less fortunate regional visa holders, all everyone is hearing is the net migration per year and blah blah blah, but no one knows about how unfair we got treated and our suffering.

[@Muhammad_p123]

First the department wasted 4 years of 476 sub class visa applicants. And now they are doing the same with other subclasses applicants.

[@lucianarico4602]

What happens in the case of someone who received a nomination and applied for the 491 visa, but while waiting, received a nomination and applied for the 190 visa? Does this person have to withdraw the 491 visa application, or can they continue with both applications? What happens if the 491 visa is granted first-can they still be granted the 190 visa afterward or not? Thank you very much!

[@ashishjoji1742]

Hi Karl, I have submitted an EOI for visas 189, 190, and 491. Hypothetically, if I apply for a MATES visa and it gets granted, can I extend my stay in Australia by applying for the 189, 190, or 491 visas if I receive an invitation to apply for them while in the country? please reply

[@IWouldLikeToEast]

Under the Albanese Labor government, there has been a record number of migrants that are arriving in Australia. As per The Hon Clare O'Neil MP, Australia’s migration system is broken. It is unstrategic. It is complex, expensive, and slow. It is not delivering for business, for migrants, or for our population. Question to the Minister, does Australia really need so many migrants? Sydney and Melbourne have become horrible, not become slums yet! In USA, since President elect Don Trump won, there has been sharp fall in migrant encounters at US-Mexico border. Hopefully, Australia gets an equivalent of Trump as well in the next elecrion.

[@Ianprince396]

How is it fair to wait for 3 years for eligible of 191 visa and then 9+ months to 2 years for PR. Over the top, even if we plan to settle down in regional area, need to pay FIRB, stamp duty. How can these voices be heard?!!

[@wahajaazmi5490]

Hi Karl, Processing times are not coming down 😢 it's been 9 months I lodged 491 visa

[@rajudakuri3582]

Iam waiting from last 17 months 😢

[@wahajaazmi5490]

@rajudakuri3582 main problem is that no further steps can be made regarding future planning just had to waste 17 or 24 months just at the stage where we are at the moment. By the way in which occupation you have lodged

[@wahajaazmi5490]

@rajudakuri3582 hopefully you will fall in 50% of the application and get your grants in coming days

[@CBAU24]

The grants are happening average time limit is 17+ months - I got my 491 this month after waiting for 18 months

[@wahajaazmi5490]

@@CBAU24 congrats dear you may hit the bullseye in achieving your goals

[@muhammadmian7144]

Hi what about 492 visa update?

[@ManuelAbeni]

Remove FIRB and foreign surcharge for 491 / 494 visa, want people to stay in regional area dont make it hard for us. Milking the cash cows to their extreme year after year government after government.

[@nshankar81]

Any chance and any petition to remove firb fees while holding 491 visa

[@reachankitsobti]

Like the blazer you are wearing, very smart choice Karl!!!

[@Mahee99999]

Karl why immigration is delaying visa grants I lodge my visa on june 2nd till now there is no query from immigration . I heard the Australian PM strictly gave instructions to immigration minister to clear all this year's visa application to clear next month December end is it a real... kindly update pls

[@Mahee99999]

I applied for a 482 short term stream

[@ritakaruu9311]

​@@Mahee99999 when did you applied. I too applied mine

[@prasu1769]

Mahee where you get that information ??i

[@maulikpatel6708]

Hi Karl. Why processing time has been delayed now for 887 visa. Before couple of months it was little quicker. Can you please advice if possible. Thanks

[@os009]

Hi Karl thanks again for a great video. Can you please clarify if Newcastle NSW would qualify as regional area for 191 visa

[@adamanonymus3309]

Can I apply for this visa, if I'm on a student visa currently?

[@Baaz4ill]

👍👍

[@nguyenanhtuan1196]

If in the future, they require income for 491. Is this applicable to those who already applied but not yet the visa grant? Thank you.

[@oliver6223]

Any chance of 191 eligibility is not applicable to those who have 491 grant before the date of change

[@nguyenanhtuan1196]

@@oliver6223 I think not,because 491 is a provisional migration visa. It is protected by grandfather clause like visa 457 before which were exempt from any change since the date of 457 application.

[@maulikpatel6708]

Hi Karl. Why processing time has been delayed for 887 visa. Before it was little bit quicker. Can you please advice if possible. Thanks.

[@durgeshchandra1057]

Hi Karl, I received 190, thank you for your support. I have one query, my wife is offshore, can I apply both 600 and 309 both visa together for her?

[@nawazshah9958]

Hi Karl Just a question ? Do I live with my wife or she can stay in overseas. For 3 years or it will affect my 491 visa ?

[@Lubana_music]

Could pls explain the reason why if u know ?