Advice for Working Visa: 189 vs 190 vs 491

gyoza · March 2022

@MLBS said:
I was invited for 491 back in Feb 2020, lodged in April and granted Oct 2020. Mabagal grant saken because it was the peak of COVID and inuuna nila nurses. In my personal case, I was glad that I lodged it back then at hindi ako choosy kasi I would never know na by April 2020, hindi na sila mag iinvite ng Electronics engineers until now. I lodged with a total of 95 pts back then, pero kahit ngayon ako maglodge with 105 pts, no chance na mainvite ako at all. Kung hindi ko tinake 491 I would be stuck in a student visa pa rin hanggang ngayon and extend lang ng extend. Glad na hindi ako choosy back then and immediately took what I could. Almost halfway na ako sa 3 yr regional stay requirement - ang bilis lang ng panahon. Tip now is take whatever you get.

Curious lng po ako, upon grant ng visa sa'yo, ano un naklagay sa letter na "first entry date before" nyo? a year after the date of grant? not sure exact> @jas28 said:

@gyoza said:

@Desert_Cowboy said:

@gyoza said:

@haringkingking said:

@gyoza said:

@RheaMARN1171933 said:

@nahtzko said:
@hikari @RheaMARN1171933 thanks po for your inputs!

@gyoza It seems based sa inputs nila mas possible mas mabilis nga si 491. Looking at processing times din sa site, around 90% nga applications ni 189 can take 33 months, compared sa 12 months ni 491.

However, Ms. Rhea is right na things can change at any given time. Sa side ko, nasa start pa lang ako sa process so focus muna on skills assessment. But when the time comes na mag lodge ng EOI, possible mag 491 nga kami.

Good luck to us all!

That’s correct, likely a 491…it’s been that way even before pandemic but I wouldn’t still rule out other visas for now

Thank you! In terms of success rate ng temp. to PR transition, mataas ba chance? Kasi iniisip ko intead of waiting for 189 na ang tagal tagal, parang maigi nakatapak ka na sa Australia.. and doon ka na mgexplorepa ng ibang pathway to PR.
Super thank you for all your insights!

Go for it!!!!

Thank you! Fighting!

I'm in the same exact situation a few months ago. I am offshore and I lodged my EOI for 189,190 and 491 Family and State. I was also hoping and praying for 189. Unfortunately, I was invited for 491 Family Sponsored Visa last October 21, 2021.
Once invited, you will have maximum 60 days to lodged the visa while invitation round for 189 comes every 90 days. This is when I weighed my options. I asked myself if I can afford to let it pass and wait for the next rounds? What if I let it pass and never get an invite again? Could I live with the guilt and remorse for myself? But what If I get invited for 189 on the next round?
I thought about it hard. Then I remembered the frustations of hundreds of applicants in facebook
groups and forums. Some people are re-enrolling on a course just to prolong their student visa and people waiting for years for invites.
So I lodged our visa last Dec 8, 2021. Medicals on January 5, 2022. Direct Grant last February 15, 2022. BM on May.
They published the earliest processing time at 77 days. I got it in 69 days, and I'm offshore. My lucky number. 😆

So there goes mine, I hope this will help you decide or something. Weigh your options and assess your situation. Don't let go what you can't afford to lose. Remember that some would kill for what you have now.

By the way, I was invited again on the January 2022 rounds. Unfortunately, I already lodged our visa a month ago. Good thing, I was invited on the same old 491 FS again. So no hard feelings. 😊

Thank you for your insight. We were invited na for 491 (State sponsored) and we plan to push it na and not wait for 189..na wala din nmn guarantee. True ksi un mga PTEs, assessments are expiring na din this 4Q. so need na tlg ipush whichever comes first. tadhana na. Good luck to us!

Hello po, just want to ask ilan po ang points nyo nung mainvite kayo sa 491 (State sponsored) and which state po? Im planning to submit 491 EOI but im still checking if there’s any hope getting an invite this time. My husband and me are both IT professionals and i think 189/190 is not an option at the moment since pandemic and limited invites for this visa. Thank you po.

Hi! 105 points ako sa South Australia. Kung kaya nyo pa wait, at mataas score nyo wait nyo un April. But it wont hurt to also submit eoi for 491 na.

Aisforapple · March 2022

Hello! For 491 medical, alin pong type yung kailangan po? Permanent, temporary or worker? Thanks po sa makakasagot! 🙏

tigerlance · March 2022

@Aisforapple said:
Hello! For 491 medical, alin pong type yung kailangan po? Permanent, temporary or worker? Thanks po sa makakasagot! 🙏

https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/regional-visa

I have, or previously held, a Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclasses 489, 491 and 494)
These visas are temporary visas, with a possible pathway to permanent residence, for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia.

These visas support regional communities and businesses to access skilled migrants to assist regional economies, and to encourage migrants and their families to settle in regional communities.

MLBS · March 2022

@gyoza said:

@MLBS said:
I was invited for 491 back in Feb 2020, lodged in April and granted Oct 2020. Mabagal grant saken because it was the peak of COVID and inuuna nila nurses. In my personal case, I was glad that I lodged it back then at hindi ako choosy kasi I would never know na by April 2020, hindi na sila mag iinvite ng Electronics engineers until now. I lodged with a total of 95 pts back then, pero kahit ngayon ako maglodge with 105 pts, no chance na mainvite ako at all. Kung hindi ko tinake 491 I would be stuck in a student visa pa rin hanggang ngayon and extend lang ng extend. Glad na hindi ako choosy back then and immediately took what I could. Almost halfway na ako sa 3 yr regional stay requirement - ang bilis lang ng panahon. Tip now is take whatever you get.

Curious lng po ako, upon grant ng visa sa'yo, ano un naklagay sa letter na "first entry date before" nyo? a year after the date of grant? not sure exact> @jas28 said:

@gyoza said:

@Desert_Cowboy said:

@gyoza said:

@haringkingking said:

@gyoza said:

@RheaMARN1171933 said:

@nahtzko said:
@hikari @RheaMARN1171933 thanks po for your inputs!

@gyoza It seems based sa inputs nila mas possible mas mabilis nga si 491. Looking at processing times din sa site, around 90% nga applications ni 189 can take 33 months, compared sa 12 months ni 491.

However, Ms. Rhea is right na things can change at any given time. Sa side ko, nasa start pa lang ako sa process so focus muna on skills assessment. But when the time comes na mag lodge ng EOI, possible mag 491 nga kami.

Good luck to us all!

That’s correct, likely a 491…it’s been that way even before pandemic but I wouldn’t still rule out other visas for now

Thank you! In terms of success rate ng temp. to PR transition, mataas ba chance? Kasi iniisip ko intead of waiting for 189 na ang tagal tagal, parang maigi nakatapak ka na sa Australia.. and doon ka na mgexplorepa ng ibang pathway to PR.
Super thank you for all your insights!

Go for it!!!!

Thank you! Fighting!

I'm in the same exact situation a few months ago. I am offshore and I lodged my EOI for 189,190 and 491 Family and State. I was also hoping and praying for 189. Unfortunately, I was invited for 491 Family Sponsored Visa last October 21, 2021.
Once invited, you will have maximum 60 days to lodged the visa while invitation round for 189 comes every 90 days. This is when I weighed my options. I asked myself if I can afford to let it pass and wait for the next rounds? What if I let it pass and never get an invite again? Could I live with the guilt and remorse for myself? But what If I get invited for 189 on the next round?
I thought about it hard. Then I remembered the frustations of hundreds of applicants in facebook
groups and forums. Some people are re-enrolling on a course just to prolong their student visa and people waiting for years for invites.
So I lodged our visa last Dec 8, 2021. Medicals on January 5, 2022. Direct Grant last February 15, 2022. BM on May.
They published the earliest processing time at 77 days. I got it in 69 days, and I'm offshore. My lucky number. 😆

So there goes mine, I hope this will help you decide or something. Weigh your options and assess your situation. Don't let go what you can't afford to lose. Remember that some would kill for what you have now.

By the way, I was invited again on the January 2022 rounds. Unfortunately, I already lodged our visa a month ago. Good thing, I was invited on the same old 491 FS again. So no hard feelings. 😊

Thank you for your insight. We were invited na for 491 (State sponsored) and we plan to push it na and not wait for 189..na wala din nmn guarantee. True ksi un mga PTEs, assessments are expiring na din this 4Q. so need na tlg ipush whichever comes first. tadhana na. Good luck to us!

Hello po, just want to ask ilan po ang points nyo nung mainvite kayo sa 491 (State sponsored) and which state po? Im planning to submit 491 EOI but im still checking if there’s any hope getting an invite this time. My husband and me are both IT professionals and i think 189/190 is not an option at the moment since pandemic and limited invites for this visa. Thank you po.

Hi! 105 points ako sa South Australia. Kung kaya nyo pa wait, at mataas score nyo wait nyo un April. But it wont hurt to also submit eoi for 491 na.

Hmm I'll check my grant letter, pero onshore na kasi ako dito since 2019 so di ako masyadong nagbasa ng date of entry, basta granted ok na hehe

megumi · March 2022

@MLBS said:
I was invited for 491 back in Feb 2020, lodged in April and granted Oct 2020. Mabagal grant saken because it was the peak of COVID and inuuna nila nurses. In my personal case, I was glad that I lodged it back then at hindi ako choosy kasi I would never know na by April 2020, hindi na sila mag iinvite ng Electronics engineers until now. I lodged with a total of 95 pts back then, pero kahit ngayon ako maglodge with 105 pts, no chance na mainvite ako at all. Kung hindi ko tinake 491 I would be stuck in a student visa pa rin hanggang ngayon and extend lang ng extend. Glad na hindi ako choosy back then and immediately took what I could. Almost halfway na ako sa 3 yr regional stay requirement - ang bilis lang ng panahon. Tip now is take whatever you get.

Hello, may I asked anong nilagay nyo sa Tax Declaration Form nung nagwork na kayo sa AU? AU resident, Foreign resident or Holiday?

MLBS · March 2022

@megumi said:

@MLBS said:
I was invited for 491 back in Feb 2020, lodged in April and granted Oct 2020. Mabagal grant saken because it was the peak of COVID and inuuna nila nurses. In my personal case, I was glad that I lodged it back then at hindi ako choosy kasi I would never know na by April 2020, hindi na sila mag iinvite ng Electronics engineers until now. I lodged with a total of 95 pts back then, pero kahit ngayon ako maglodge with 105 pts, no chance na mainvite ako at all. Kung hindi ko tinake 491 I would be stuck in a student visa pa rin hanggang ngayon and extend lang ng extend. Glad na hindi ako choosy back then and immediately took what I could. Almost halfway na ako sa 3 yr regional stay requirement - ang bilis lang ng panahon. Tip now is take whatever you get.

Hello, may I asked anong nilagay nyo sa Tax Declaration Form nung nagwork na kayo sa AU? AU resident, Foreign resident or Holiday?

Au resident

Unsullied_06 · March 2022

Hello po. Nagdraft na po ako ng EOI ko sa Skill Select. Ano po ba ilalagay sa test reference number? Sabi po sa google eh yung Registation ID (9 digits). Tama po ba yun? Patulong po salamat.

datch29 · March 2022

@Unsullied_06 said:
Hello po. Nagdraft na po ako ng EOI ko sa Skill Select. Ano po ba ilalagay sa test reference number? Sabi po sa google eh yung Registation ID (9 digits). Tama po ba yun? Patulong po salamat.

Ang pagkakatanda ko is yung registration ID, meron din ata question mark sa gilid nung pag fill upan mo ng number, pwede mo yung i press then makikita mo dun ano mga dapat mo ilagay.

Unsullied_06 · March 2022

@datch29 said:

@Unsullied_06 said:
Hello po. Nagdraft na po ako ng EOI ko sa Skill Select. Ano po ba ilalagay sa test reference number? Sabi po sa google eh yung Registation ID (9 digits). Tama po ba yun? Patulong po salamat.

Ang pagkakatanda ko is yung registration ID, meron din ata question mark sa gilid nung pag fill upan mo ng number, pwede mo yung i press then makikita mo dun ano mga dapat mo ilagay.

Salamat po @datch29.

ArkitekGanda · April 2022

Hi question po. For visa 491sponsored by relative which is my uncle he is my mother first cousin. Pwede po b sya mag sponsor sa akin?

Unsullied_06 · April 2022

Hello good day po. Question lang po regarding Visa 491, since closed na yung March window para sa FY 2021-22, ang ginawa ko nakadraft lang muna yung EOI ko sa SkillSelect for 491. Tama po ba ko ng pagkakaintindi na required hintayin magbukas yung next submission window para sa ROI submission? Kasi iniisip ko walang sense kahit gumawa na 491 EOI ng wala ka naman corresponding ROI tama po ba yun? Lumabas na po kasi kahapon positive EA assessment ko kaya yung EOI for Visa 189 at 190 nasubmit ko na. Eh gusto ko na din po ayusin yung sa 491 sana since realistically speaking dun mas may chance mainvite nowadays. Patulong po sa may alam please. Salamat.

patl · April 2022

Is it better to wait for 491/190 than go the student pathway? I currently have 85 points for SC 189 - software engineer. I'm thinking of taking the student path kaso ang mahal ng masters. I'm not sure kung maapprove ang student visa kahit may bachelors degree nako from a section 1 school.

Hi Ms Rhea, I hope to get your feedback regarding this one. Are you also assisting student visa for diploma courses?

RheaMARN1171933 · April 2022

@patl said:
Is it better to wait for 491/190 than go the student pathway? I currently have 85 points for SC 189 - software engineer. I'm thinking of taking the student path kaso ang mahal ng masters. I'm not sure kung maapprove ang student visa kahit may bachelors degree nako from a section 1 school.

Hi Ms Rhea, I hope to get your feedback regarding this one. Are you also assisting student visa for diploma courses?

Why do you want to do a student pathway?

hungrypally · May 2022

Hi everyone. I just want to ask what is the difference in the process of visa 491 family sponsored vs state sponsored? I am targeting for Adelaide right now. Currently in their state sponsored, they require more than 8 yrs of experience for engineer and I currently have a little more than 5 yrs. Does this mean I'm not eligible for the family sponsorship as well?

Thanks everyone!

sarah14 · May 2022

Hi, okay lang po ba magsubmit ng EOI for 190 NSW kahit hindi pa po sila nagaaccept ng offshore candidates na Med lab scientist? Hindi po ba marerefuse lang ako at magkakarecord na narefuse? ☹️ Thank you po sa sasagot 🙏🏼

Zezima1234 · May 2022

@RheaMARN1171933 said:

@patl said:
Is it better to wait for 491/190 than go the student pathway? I currently have 85 points for SC 189 - software engineer. I'm thinking of taking the student path kaso ang mahal ng masters. I'm not sure kung maapprove ang student visa kahit may bachelors degree nako from a section 1 school.

Hi Ms Rhea, I hope to get your feedback regarding this one. Are you also assisting student visa for diploma courses?

Why do you want to do a student pathway?

Hi Ms Rhea,

Similar situation sila ng friend ko. Some of the reasons tempting them na mag SV pathway is
1.) Being onshore opens up new state opportunities + employer sponsored nominations mostly kasi ng state nominations eh onshore ang preferred
2. )Time; 2-3 years na may action plan kesa waiting for things to normalize para daw umusad man lang
tapos sa pababa din points nila since tumatanda na.
3.) Points although yung cost vs points ratio is mahal pero low points dagdag tlga sa sobrang tough ng competition every point counts

Ano po cents niyo dito mam @RheaMARN1171933 ?

kozakura · May 2022

Hello everyone! I got an invitation for visa 491 NSW (Offshore) last May 12. I have a question, do I need to submit po bank statements and other billing infos? Yung nasa document checklist kasi ang nakalagay Residency in Australia, so kapag off shore no need na po ba to include? Thank you!

clim · May 2022

@kozakura said:
Hello everyone! I got an invitation for visa 491 NSW (Offshore) last May 12. I have a question, do I need to submit po bank statements and other billing infos? Yung nasa document checklist kasi ang nakalagay Residency in Australia, so kapag off shore no need na po ba to include? Thank you!

Hi po! I'm offshore and didn't send any bank statements/ billing info, just the other reqs that's not under Residency in Australia

kozakura · May 2022

@clim Thank you! By the way, what state and region ka po nag apply?

nashmacoy101 · May 2022

@clim said:

@kozakura said:
Hello everyone! I got an invitation for visa 491 NSW (Offshore) last May 12. I have a question, do I need to submit po bank statements and other billing infos? Yung nasa document checklist kasi ang nakalagay Residency in Australia, so kapag off shore no need na po ba to include? Thank you!

Hi po! I'm offshore and didn't send any bank statements/ billing info, just the other reqs that's not under Residency in Australia

Hello sir, ito po ba ung form after magreply ung RDA sa initial na application form?

tigerlance · May 2022

@hungrypally said:
Hi everyone. I just want to ask what is the difference in the process of visa 491 family sponsored vs state sponsored? I am targeting for Adelaide right now. Currently in their state sponsored, they require more than 8 yrs of experience for engineer and I currently have a little more than 5 yrs. Does this mean I'm not eligible for the family sponsorship as well?

Thanks everyone!

Family Sponsored -
depends on the occupation sa DHA, quota points

State Sponsored - depends on the occupation sa state, quotq points, additional requirements like superior pte, 8 years experience, onshore experience, depende kung ano hinihingi

Kung di pasok sa criteria, try sa ibang state, or 491 fs

icomanman · May 2022

For visa subclass 491 (Skilled Regional) holders, are there any technicalities re remote work? Say, you're living in a designated region/postcode but your employer is from a different postcode or even State?

Anyone?

clim · May 2022

@kozakura said:
@clim Thank you! By the way, what state and region ka po nag apply?

No problem! NSW Illawarra

@nashmacoy101 said:
Hello sir, ito po ba ung form after magreply ung RDA sa initial na application form?

Yes po, after you send your intro they'll email you a list of reqs to email back to them along with an application form that can be downloaded from their site

kozakura · May 2022

Hi everyone! I just want to ask how long will Far South Coast, NSW issue an IRN for visa 491? I requested last May 13 at their RDA site. I’m still hoping and waiting since all other NSW regions are not accepting applications anymore.

pancakedays · May 2022

Hello, just want to know your advice and thoughts. We are a family of 3 in our early 30s. We are planning to move to AU as PR and it seems like SV is the most viable option because of the tough competition. I'm planning to get a postgrad degree and while I'm studying my master's, my husband will look for full time work. Our background is in the advertising field.

Will it be possible that while I'm studying, he can get a job and be sponsored for a work visa?

plan A:
I'm doing postgrad, my husband will find full time work and get sponsorship

PlanB:
After doing postgrad, I will apply for PR, and use my master's to gain addtl points

Hoping to get some insights... thank you!

maguero · May 2022

I think it depends on what your points are at the moment & what you plan to study. If you or your husband have at least 8 years of work experience in advertising I suggest that you consider applying for state sponsorship from SA since open pa sya. When it closes for this FY, you can wait until July when all the states will have new sponsorship allocations & check if you meet the requirements of any state.

The risk with studying is that you don't know what the immigration rules will be by the time you graduate. Paiba-iba ang immigration rules ng Australia so it's really hard to predict what your chances will be once you graduate unless you plan to study for high demand jobs like nursing or some other allied health profession.

Another thing to note is that some occupations, such as Marketing Specialist which was my nominated occupation, are only eligible for short term work visas and there is no pathway to PR. They adjusted this recently for those who were here during the pandemic but you don't fall under that category. So if your husband gets an advertising job here he can use that to increase his points but one of you will still have to go through the EOI process if you want to stay here permanently. And again, we don't know what the rules will be a year or so from now.

RheaMARN1171933 · May 2022

@pancakedays said:
Hello, just want to know your advice and thoughts. We are a family of 3 in our early 30s. We are planning to move to AU as PR and it seems like SV is the most viable option because of the tough competition. I'm planning to get a postgrad degree and while I'm studying my master's, my husband will look for full time work. Our background is in the advertising field.

Will it be possible that while I'm studying, he can get a job and be sponsored for a work visa?

plan A:
I'm doing postgrad, my husband will find full time work and get sponsorship

PlanB:
After doing postgrad, I will apply for PR, and use my master's to gain addtl points

Hoping to get some insights... thank you!

It would be nice if things pan out as planned. The problem is nothing is guaranteed. All the answers to your questions only time will tell. A lot of education agencies will sell you the ideal picture unfortunately. Student pathway will get you there quicker but it doesn’t mean you’ll get the PR via that pathway. I was a product of this pathway although I was successful it’s not something I will recommend 100% to my clients.

Best to consult with an agent to guide you properly on your migration plans. Advertising specialist and advertising manager is on STSOL….why would you opt for a student visa? Only 189 and 491 (family stream) are subject to priority points. South Australia is open for both occupations (offshore) and they only require at least 65 points, proficient plus English and 8 years experience Tapos from July things are even looking more promising with regards to migration level. Why opt for student visa? That’s a long cut and most expensive way you’re looking at.

pancakedays · May 2022

Thanks for all the advice. It gave a lot of clarity and put things into perspective. 190 seems to be the reasonable path for us, considering Im a mom of a 2 yr old. It will be hard to juggle master, take care kf a baby, and put a lot of money into tuition. Yes sv paints an express path but yes in the end, pr is not guaranteed