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Transitioning from a temporary visa to a permanent visa might entail a lengthy and labour intensive process. As you are approaching the third year of your temporary visa, you might already be considering the preparation and requirements needed.
What are the requirements needed to transition from your temporary visa to a permanent visa? This article will give you key information on the things you need to get started.
The 491 visa or the Skilled Work Regional visa is a temporary visa granted to those who wish to live and work in a designated regional area of Australia.
This provisional visa allows holders to stay in Australia for up to 5 years and work in a specified regional area. Here are some of the key features of the 491 Skilled Regional Visa:
Once you, as a 491 visa holder, have completed the terms of this visa, you may then apply for a 191 visa for permanent residency.
In converting your 491 Visa to a 191 Visa, you have to satisfy all the different and key requirements to transition your visa from temporary to permanent. The following are the main eligibility criteria to change your temporary visa to a permanent visa:
You must hold a Temporary Visa (subclass 491 or 494) for at least three years, living and working in regional Australia, when applying for a Subclass 191 Visa. This means that you have used the visa for the purposefor which you have applied for.
In order to transition to a permanent residence visa, you must have had a taxable income at or above $AU53,900 for three financial years within your five-year visa period.
This must be supported by evidence of your income such as payslips and bank statements.
A PR visa applicant must also satisfy all of the conditions of the temporary visa including living, working, and studying only in designated regional areas, and not violating any visa conditions (e.g., Condition 8579). After holding a 491 visa for three years and meeting the specified conditions, you can apply for permanent residence through the subclass 191 visa.
Assuming you have met all conditions of your temporary visa and are now ready to transition to a permanent visa via subclass 191, let’s discuss the different steps in applying for permanent residency.
Talk to one of our Visa Experts Now.
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The first step is to gather all requirements for the permanent visa application. Among the requirements are work and residence documents, evidence of income, relationship documents, health and character requirements, as well as the documents of your partner or any dependent children.
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Applying for this PR visa can be done online. You’re also allowed to apply even if you’re outside Australia at the time. Follow these steps for your own easy reference:
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You will be duly notified once your visa application has been received. While your visa application is in progress, it is best to stay out of any trouble or unlawful activity that may affect your application. You are also advised to inform the DHA of any changes in your current status that may or may not impact your visa application.
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The most exciting part is when your PR visa is granted. You will receive a notice in writing about the good news alongside your visa grant number, the date your visa starts, your visa conditions, and other important information.
Do you have any questions regarding your permanent visa application? Are you uncertain whether your current income will be enough for a permanent visa? Perhaps you are not confident filling out your application single-handedly and without proper guidance from a visa professional.
When in doubt, don’t hesitate to seek expert assistance from registered migration agents or immigration lawyers for your permanent resident visa application.
Established in 1888, Parish Patience is a long-standing immigration law firm in Sydney that’s dedicated to assisting clients from all over the world obtain their desired Australian visa for PR or citizenship.
Rest assured that you will be given reliable visa advice about your requirements and the strength of your application. With a high success rate and a reputation for a client-centric approach, you’re in capable and compassionate hands with Parish Patience.
Work-related permanent residency visa applications can be hard to navigate. But not if you partner up with Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers. We will ensure that you will be assisted accordingly from gathering your documents, addressing your unique concerns, to giving you tailored advice post-application.
Contact us at +61(02) 9286 8700 or send us an email at ppmail@ppilaw.com.au today!
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If you need expert support navigating your transition from a 491 visa to permanent residency, the team at Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers is here to help. Our experienced migration professionals can guide you through the eligibility requirements, assess your income documentation, and ensure your application meets all the legal criteria. Book a consultation today and take the next confident step toward securing your Australian PR.