Regional Visa Processing Crisis

Under the current framework, applicants must hold the Subclass 491 visa for three years before becoming eligible for permanent residency via the Subclass 191. On paper, this may appear reasonable, however, in practice, it is becoming increasingly excessive. 

Current processing realities

• Applicants are often required to live in the sponsoring state for at least 12 months before nomination.
• In many cases, they are also expected to study in that region for up to two years.
• The current processing time for the 491 visa is now approximately 29 months, meaning the three-year holding period does not even begin until years after arrival.

When combined with the current 16-month processing time for the 191 visa, the pathway to permanent residency now stretches to 7–8 years for many regional applicants. That is not a policy nuance. That is a structural problem.

Priority processing per occupation

• Healthcare and teaching occupations – Application lodged in April 2025
• Accredited sponsor nominations – Applications lodged in January 2025
• All other applications – Applications lodged in or before June 2024

This original intent of the provisional regional visa program was to encourage regional settlement, not to lock people into prolonged uncertainty. Both the 491 and 191 visas are now raising serious concern, as many applicants are in limbo, and long-term planning is impossible.

At this point, the issue is about fairness, proportionality, and policy integrity.

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