Update:
Please be aware that as of 16 November 2019, the Subclass 489 Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa has been replaced by a new Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa. This new visa has a five-year term and provides a pathway to permanent residence with a new Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, which will be introduced from 16 November 2022.
Applications under the Second Provisional Visa stream of the Subclass 489 visa continue to be accepted. To qualify under this stream, you must hold a subclass 475, 487, 495 or 496 visa at time of lodgement of your application. Be aware that these visa subclasses are no longer being granted by the Department of Home Affairs.
The changes also do affect the Subclass 887 Skilled (Regional) visa permanent residence visa pathway, which continues to be available to eligible subclass 489 visa holders.
For further information about these changes, please see the following articles:
New Skilled Regional Visas to be introduced
Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa
Further Regulations released for the new regional sponsored visas to commence from 16 November 2019
Invitations are now monthly (not fortnightly)
The Department has announced that invitations for Skilled (Independent) Subclass 189 visas and Skilled (State Sponsorship) Subclass 489 visas will now be issued monthly (on the 11th of each month). This is a change from the fortnightly basis invitations were previously issued at. The timing change will not impact on the number of invitations issued overall. The Department has announced that monthly invitations will increase accordingly to maintain this amount. Migration agents must take this new timing into account when devising strategies for clients.
Prospective visa applicants now only have one chance a month to find out if they are invited or not. Time is a critical factor in skilled migration, especially as State Sponsorship authorities are taking longer to process applications. Your Migration Agent will be able to provide you with a road-map so that you have the strategy and tactics to achieve your migration outcome with as little risk as possible. Organising skills assessments, state sponsorship, English tests, etc. all take time. Being well prepared and properly informed about the process will give you the greatest chance of not only a successful outcome, but also avoiding unnecessary delays. If you only have once a month to get an invitation, it is even more critical to have your strategy and tactics set out early to avoid running out of time.
For up to date advice on your eligibility for a skilled visa, whether that be a state sponsored or independent visa, or any other type of visa, book your confidential consultation with a migration agent in Adelaide. PAX Migration Australia is a leading immigration advice service based in Adelaide, and we aren’t expensive! Just ask us!
