RD there is light

So, reading the gist of this post, it seems that unless you are a 491 granted critical occupation or have a job offer in a critical occupation, you are unlikely to be granted a travel exemption, would that be correct? I have 491 grant since Feb 2021, though as a Plumber (non critical) for SA, and ready to leave whenever possible. I have been applying to positions in SA, and unless they offer me a job, then my chances are slim. Any other person know of people's experiences of non-critical occupations being granted travel exemption with or without job offers please? Feeling low with hearing that international flights will not likely resume until well into 2022 or even 2023, until Australia sort out their own vaccine rollout meaning Ozzies can leave and return, but what about those skilled visa holders that can't get in? (the clock is ticking for 491s to meet their first entry point and also overall visa conditions to fulfil for future 191). Need some hope!

Sorry for the late reply. SA was the state nomination. At the time of my state nomination application in April 2020, for my occupation I was permitted to apply based offshore, which I believe is now not the case. Lots has changed since and for 491 ITA are largely for critical occupations and also need to be based onshore.

Visa has been granted on 5 Feb. First entry by 5 Feb 2022. Waiting for borders to open so we can enter

So, EOI submission was around January 2020, lodged for state nomination on 24 April 2020, received invitation to apply (ITA) from SA on 28 June, submitted 491 visa application online on 21 August, visa grant 5 Feb. I am offshore with occupation 334111 Plumber with 75 points.

Hi, I have had 491 granted on 5 Feb and we have 12 months from date of grant to make first entry as per the grant letter. Hope this helps.

Thanks Conyo2588! Such a huge relief! It was a daily discussion as to when we were likely to get an outcome. I sympathise with all that are waiting still. Shame that there seems no real logic with regard to which occupations they grant for. Like I mentioned, as mine was offshore and non-critical, I was going on the global processing timeline of 6-8 months, and for my case it was 168 days from time of visa lodgment. We front loaded our medicals soon after lodgment and also PCCs. It was only late Nov they asked for new PCCs based on my wife's maiden name which we did, and uploaded mid December. Now it the challenge of when travel restrictions can be lifted and we can plan our move. In the meantime, at least we can start some planning at home, look at surburbs, schools, jobs etc and get ourselves 'ready' as best as we can.

Hi Paul, Sorry for the late response. 334111 Plumber with SA state nomination

Sorry for the late response. Occupation Plumber 334111, state nomination SA 491

Hi Amy, Just to give you a quick update. I was granted 491 visa on 5 Feb 2021! We have to make first entry by 5 Feb 2022 so hope travel restrictions lift. As you may be aware we are offshore and were nominated by SA. I am a non-critical occupation so the grant comes as a pleasant surprise considering the order of visa grants for priority occupations. Total timeline from visa lodgment: 21 Aug 2020 to 5 Feb 2021 (168 days).

Hi all, Pleased to advise and give hope to those that are waiting on grants. I was granted 491 visa on 5 Feb!! I am offshore, though do not have an exemption to travel as non-critical occupation. I will update my timeline. Thought this may help others who are still waiting. Just hang on in there like we did, and when least expected (especially with all the comments in forum about 491 visas, offshore applciants and non-critical occupations), you will wake you to the email you have been waiting for!

Hi, Pleased to say I have been one of the lucky ones being granted 491 on 5 Feb. I'm offshore. Hope this helps.

Thanks for that. I'll go with lodgment date and checking global processing times recently, looks like it has been pushed out further to 6=8 months. If you lodged in March, then I'm at least six months behind you in the queue. Guess we wait and see.

Does anyone have any insights in to processing times lately or know of any non-priority occupation grants? I note that it has changed from 63 days-3 months to 73 days-4 months now. I lodged for 491 visa for Plumber SA state nomination in August 2020 and I have uploaded medicals etc. I understand that borders are closed so there would be no hurry for non-priority occupations. My visa application doesn't have a case officer assigned as yet. Does anyone know if the 73 days processing time start from time of visa lodgment or from when case officer is assigned?

Thanks very much AmyL

Hi Jody, well done, exciting times. Can I confirm your 489 visa was granted within 3.5 months? Is that a recent grant i.e. in last few weeks?

Thanks so much Amy. And sorry for late reply. As our agent was not helpful at the earlier skills assessment stage, we decided to work without him. What you have mentioned is helpful indeed. No idea where we'll go to in Adelaide as yet, not even sure when borders will open to allow 491 holders into Australia, though will be following SA 491 holders closely. We may even end up a small community supporting each other once we are over there!

Me again. Just lodging apapplication now, though asking for character checks to be completed. Is this different to police checks which seems is requested afterwards visa app submission?

Thanks Paul. I think I may have inadvertently really blown my chances previously as I had 75 points in early June with DOE of Feb 2020. Looking at the June round, there were 491 family sponsor invitations to applicants with 70 and DOE April 2020. But I managed to score an extra 5 points for employment so changed my EOI to update this and thus lost my old DOE from February. I am kicking myself as I feel as though I would have had a strong chance of being invited back in June if I hadn't updated my points. Only unknown with this would have been whether 491 family sponsor would be affected at state level i.e. would WA have considered my points only for family sponsorship or would my occupation also need to be considered? Do you know anything more about the 491 criteria re spend 3 years living and working in the regional area? i.e. would I be able to move in say 18 months after living in SA to WA if I had a better job offer? I read that WA is still all regional so this would be possible, though I would need to notify SA migration if I move state as part of the conditions.

Thanks for this. I mentioned this as I saw there was an invitation round in July, all be it small numbers for 189 and 491 family sponsor. I have read that the official quota will be around Oct which will be well past my 60 days. Think I'll continue with applying to SA 491, as you are right, with the current situation, it is very fluid and you never know when things can change. Would be silly to miss this ITA and then wait for unknown number of months before possibility for 491 WA invitation.

Hi all, On a similar note, please can anyone shed light on this scenario: ITA received for 491 SA at the end of June 2020. Have 60 days to apply. Have also another EOI for 491 WA family sponsor though no invitation as yet. Our preference would be WA as ultimately we have family there. Qu - while SA has issued ITA, does it affect the EOI for 491 WA? We are hoping to wait for the next invitation round in August and pray for 491 WA family sponsor ITA. If this doesn't come through, then we will proceed to apply for the SA one. Obviously then, we understand that we will accept and live and work in SA as per visa conditions if and when this is granted. The reason I ask the question is I am not sure whether the SA ITA impacts the EOI for WA at all? If it does, then is it likely we are wasting our time waiting? Could two separate EOIs be triggered with ITA from two states i.e. can you have two invitations at the same time?

Hello, To let you know that I also had ITA on 27 June for 491 SA. Will be applying within the 60 day timeframe. Never been to SA so a bit like you here. Seeing I am a bit behind in my DOHA application, is it a case of 'accept' and then I will be notified of documents that need to be submitted?

Hi Marisawright, Thank you. I am definitely not going to turn the ITA for the 491S. My preference would be a permanent visa as would so many others, but at least there is a pathway to PR. The reason I posted was the earlier poster was also a plumber and keen to understand his/her background and circumstances as I know not many tradies are getting a look-in at all on any vissa type. Thanks once again.

Hi, Extremely new to this forum, and just signed up. I'm also a british citizen with plumber occupation. I'm applying for other visas and EOIs for them but curious about 186 Visa. Did you get a sponsor while offshore or are you based onshore? I'm offshore and desperate for any permanent visa. At present I have just received state nomination for 491 from SA which is obviously temporary. I haven't lodged application as yet and praying for 190 at least. Would love guidance how 186 visa works and how to get sponsor, thanks