Can I submit applications for both subclass 190 and 491 visas in Australia?
Are you planning on migrating to Australia and are wondering whether you could submit an application for a subclass 190 and 491 visa? Yes, however, there are certain important assumptions you must keep in mind beforehand.
Going Through the Meaning of the Subclass 190 and 491 Visas
Before going into the details, let’s just consider a brief summary of subclass 190 and 491 visa:
Subclass 190 visa:
A permanent residence visa for skilled workers nominated by the Government of a State or Territory in Australia.
Subclass 491 visa:
A provisional visa for skilled workers who are willing to live and work in the rural areas of Australia.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for either subclass 190 or 491 visa, you must meet the eligibility criteria of one of those visas:
Subclass 190 visa:
You must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government, have the requisite skills and qualifications in the relevant occupation, and show that you meet English language ability requirements.
Subclass 491 visa:
You must have the requisite skills and qualifications, English language ability, and willingness to live and work in regional Australia.
Application Submission for Both Visas
You may apply for both of those visas, but mind you:
Separate applications:
You must submit separate applications for each visa, as the application processes and requirements differ between them.
Different processing times:
The processing times are different between subclasses 190 and 491 visas. The visa subclass is often processed much later than the other.
Priority processing:
If you apply for both of these visas, the Department of Home Affairs gets to decide which one of your two applications is processed first.
Benefits of Submitting Applications for Both Visas
Submitting applications for both subclass 190 and subclass 491 visas can provide many benefits:
Higher chance of success:
Since you are submitting applications for both types of visas, you will be granted two chances of getting the visa.
Flexibility:
The flexibility that goes with submitting applications for both classes of visas allows you to select the visa that best suits you and your needs or circumstances.
Things to Consider
Before submitting applications for both subclass 190 and 491 visas, consider the following:
Application fees:
You will be required to pay separate application fees for two visas, expectedly on the higher side.
Documentation prerequisites:
Documentation requirements differ from one visa to another, make sure you have all of them at hand before submitting applications.
Processing times:
You should expect the processing times to be different for each visa.
Conclusion
Submitting applications for both subclass 190 and 491 visas may be a strategic answer for increasing your chances of success along with the flexibility that this implies. Such decisions should be made contingent on an analysis of eligibility criteria, application fees, documentation requirements, and processing times.
