Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Q9: What evidence of employment can be requested in a S56 request for a 189, 190 and 491 skilled visa ?

Q10: Links to Smart Visa Guide WhatsApp Groups

Q11: How many Expression of Interest (EOIs) should I submit ?

Q12: How can I claim 5 points for partner skills assessment for Subclass 189, 190 and 491 visa?

Q13: List of useful phone numbers and email addresses

Q14: What is Ministerial Direction 109 and how is the visa processing priority determined ?

Q15: Which states require a Registration of Interest (ROI) for subclass 190 and 491 nomination ?

Q16: Do I need new EOIs and ROIs for FY2024-25?

Q17: What are the school fees for dependents of 491 visa holders?

Q18: What does an Offshore SA preinvite look like?

Q19: Do I need to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) for SA?

Q20: What documents are required from the sponsor for NT Family Sponsored Stream ?

Q21: How does DHA calculate visa processing time?

Q22: What is SkillSelect Date of Effect for an Expression of Interest (EOI) ?

Q23: Can you share tips on writing a letter of commitment for Northern Territory (NT) offshore nomination ?

Q24: How to see the expected visa grant date for your 189, 190 or 491 visa application?

Q25: I am on 491 visa. Can I do remote work for a CBD based employer?

Q26: Can I move from my nominating state after the 190 visa grant?

Q27: What are the key steps to undertake after receiving a subclass 189, 190 or 491 visa grant for offshore applicants?

Q28: What is an ANZSCO unit group?

Q29: What documents are required to submit a SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) ?

Q30: What documents are required to prove my claimed work experience for a 491/190/189 visa?

Q31: Grattan Institute Reformed Points System

Q32: What are Skill Levels 1, 2 and 3?

Q33: What is Commencement email and Request for Further Information (RFI)?

Q34: I live in a border community in VIC and work in NSW. Can I apply for VIC nomination?

Q35: What does an Assessment Commencement Letter look like?

Q36: I can see there are lot more EOIs for occupation X compared to occupation Y. So is occupation X more competitive compared to Y ?

Q37: How can I check the latest invitations and visa grants data for my occupation on SmartVisaGuide ?

Q38: I have received a NSW 491 grant (RDA Sydney). Can I move to other Designated Regional Areas (DRA) in Australia ?

Q39: Can I move states after receiving my 491 visa approval?

Q40: Who can be a sponsor for 491 Family Sponsored visa ?

Q41: Why are SkillSelect LODGED visa statistics different from the same data obtained from Freedom of Information Requests ?

Q42: What is Planning Level and State Nomination Allocation ?

Q43: How to interpret the SkillSelect Dashboard data?

Q44: What is a closely related occupation?

Q45: How is the visa processing time estimated on SmartVisaGuide?

Q46: My salary was paid in cash. How can I prove my work experience claims ?

Q47: My visa is delayed and I am lodging a complaint. Can you share some tips and tricks?

Q48: If Tuberculosis (TB) is found during medical test for a skilled visa 189, 190 or 491, is the visa application rejected?

Q49: State Occupation Lists for Subclass 190 and 491 Nomination

Q50: What is Ministerial Direction 100 and how is the visa processing priority determined ?

Q51: What is 8515 visa condition?

Q52: Is my occupation on visa processing priority list?

Q53: Do Department of Home Affairs and Australian Taxation Office share data for visa applicants with each other ?

Q54: What does my visa status mean ?

Q55: I have received a state nomination preinvite from Western Australia. What documents are typically required to be submitted for nomination ?

Q56: What is Functional English ?

Q57: What is Competent English ?

Q58: Are EOI points and Canberra Matrix points the same ?

Q59: WA: Can you provide me a sample of the Third Party Work letter template for subclass 190 state nomination ?

Q60: WA: I have received further correspondence from WA migration to explain how my job is related or closely related to my occupation. I am working within my field (Accounting) already. They are asking this question to many people. Can you write me a sample letter explaining this ?

Q61: How do I show evidence of work experience obtained after obtaining a valid skill assessment ?

Q62: What is a Health Waiver for the purposes of Skilled Migration ?

Q63: I am applying for subclass 491 visa for South Australia Outer Regional Stream. One of the requirements is a letter of support from my employer outlining as to why I should be considered for state nomination. Can you write a draft letter for me ?

Q64: Can you provide a sample letter for VETASSESS to justify the use of NEC category for my occupation?

Q65: What is the expected 189 cutoff for 233211 Civil Engineer in next round ?

Q66: What are the documents required for EA skills assessment for accredited qualifications ?

Q67: I am applying for ACT State Nomination. Should my claimed work experience be assessed as relevant by the assessing body in the points tested skills assessment ?

Q68: I have received an interview request from VETASSESS for my Customer Service Manager skill assessment. What can I expect in the interview ?

Q69: What type of documents are requested by Case Officer (CO) for relationship proof ?

Q70: What documents are required to apply for skill assessment to Engineers Australia for a degree accredited with Washington Accord?

Q71: What do career episodes for EA skill assessment consist of ?

Q72: What are career episodes for EA Skill Assessment ?

Q73: What is a summary statement for EA skill assessment ?

Q74: What is the general criteria for lodging an Expression of Interest (EOI) ?

Q75: What is the minimum income threshold for a 491/191 visa ?

Q76: What can I do if I am unable to provide an employment reference letter for ACS Skill Assessment ?

Q77: Is a job offer required for a 491 visa?

Q78: Do I need health insurance or will I get Medicare on 491 visa ?

Q79: Am I allowed to visit a non-designated regional area like Sydney or Melbourne on a 491 visa ?

Q80: If I have received a PR grant letter from VIC, does it mean I have to make my first entry to Australia in Victoria itself?

Q81: What if I choose the wrong ANZSCO Code for ACS Skill Assessment ?

Q82: I was working In more than one job at the same time. Can I claim for both periods of employment?

Q83: Can I submit EOI without clearing an English Language Test or Skill Assessment ?

Q84: What are some factors affecting the visa processing time ?

Q85: What are some reasons for Permanent Residency (PR) visa application rejection ?

Q86: What is the Engineers Australia (EA) Non Accredited qualifications suitability criteria ?

Q87: What documents are required for EA Skills Assessment for Non-Accredited qualifications ?

Q88: Why isn't my Relevant Skilled Employment reflected, or only partially reflected, on the outcome letter ?

Q89: How to mirror a visa application into your IMMI account?

Q90: What is Thapa v Minister for Immigration [2021] FCCA 686 ?

Q91: I claimed single status in my EOI, received an invitation and lodged my visa. I heard that points get frozen at time of invitation. So, can I get married or enter into a de-facto relationship after lodging visa, but before grant of the visa ?

Q92: Can you provide a list of Designated Regional Area (DRA) postcodes ?

Q93: Do I need to work in my field when I have the 491 visa?

Q94: What are Engineering Australia (EA) Skills Assessment Pathways ?

Q95: What is a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR)?

Q96: Can you show me the RDA map for NSW 491 visa ?

Q97: What documents are required for applying NSW 491 Pathway 1 (RDA) State Nomination?

Q98: How to write the RPL report ?

Q99: When can you request VETASSESS Priority Processing ?