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Applications for the new subclass 191 visa will be open from 16 November 2022. One of the Schedule 1 requirements for that visa is that the applicant has held a 491 visa for 3 years or a 494 visa for 3 years. But if, for instance, a person has held a 491 visa for 2 years and a 494 visa for 1 year, will that person be eligible for visa 191?

The new instrument specifies the Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) and classes of persons for the purposes of a Subclass 408 visa.

The new Subclass 494 visa will "replace" subclass 187 on 16 November 2019. What will be the SAF amount for the new subclass? On what circumstances will the SAF for subclass 187 be refundable?

The new Subclass 494 visa will "replace" subclass 187 on 16 November 2019. However, that does not necessarily mean that 187 nomination and visa applications must be made before that date.

"Under paragraph 050.212(8)(c) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, the reasons for the delay in making an application for a Protection (Class XA) visa must be acceptable to the Minister. The instrument operates to specify a class of persons who are not required to satisfy the Minister with an acceptable reason for a delay in making an application for a Protection (Class XA) visa".

The visa conditions for the new subclass 494 are completely different and much more strict compared to subclass 187. For instance, subclass 494 visa holders: will need to commence work within 90 days; will not be able to cease employment for more than 90 days; will need to notify Immigration of any change to their phone number or email address; etc. And the list of requirements goes on. Non-compliance might lead to visa cancellation.

The new Subclass 494 visa will "replace" subclass 187 on 16 November 2019. But will the health waiver, which is available for some subclass 187 applicants, be available for subclass 494?

The new Subclass 494 visa will "replace" subclass 187 in November 2019. What happens if the existing nomination application is not approved? Understand whether it will be possible to link a new nomination application to an existing visa application and why.

The new Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)) visa will "replace" subclass 187. However, r 5.19 of the Migration Regulations 1994 will not apply to the new subclass. Instead, nomination applications will need to satisfy the requirements in the newly introduced r 2.72C, which is very different to r 5.19. For instance, nomination applicants will need to be Standard Business Sponsors (or a party to a work agreement) for the new visa, which is not a requirement for subclass 187.

The new Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)) visa will "replace" subclass 187. However, r 5.19 of the Migration Regulations 1994 will not apply to the new subclass. Instead, nomination applications will need to satisfy the requirements in the newly introduced r 2.72C, which is very different to r 5.19. For instance, nomination applicants will need to be Standard Business Sponsors (or a party to a work agreement) for the new visa, which is not a requirement for subclass 187.