Our 491 Visa Journey in Eight Steps
This is the order we actually did things in, with our real dates, and the post that covers each step. I am Emi, and I am writing this as we go, so some steps are finished and one is still waiting.
Where we are today: our application was lodged on 11 May 2026 and has said "Received" ever since. We are preparing to move to Queensland while we wait.
1 Choose the visa pathway
Research from late November 2025
Why a 189 was out of reach for us and why the regional 491 made sense.
2 Get the skills assessment
Lodged 28 January, approved 5 February 2026
A construction trade assessed by TRA in eight days, after months of gathering proof.
3 Pass the partner English test
IELTS result 5 December, PTE passed 10 March
Three tests, one app, and the late nights it took to earn 5 partner points.
4 Submit the EOI and win a nomination
EOI 16 March, Queensland nomination around 10 April 2026
Three states on the EOI, an answer from Queensland in four days, and where we plan to live.
5 Collect police certificates and documents
Japan: applied 10 February, collected 20 April. Canada: two weeks.
Which documents were slow, which were easy, and what each cost.
6 Lodge the application and do the health exams
Lodged 11 May 2026, health exams 12 and 21 May
Three busy weeks of forms, uploads and chasing evidence, then a medical with a four-year-old.
7 Wait, while the rules keep moving
Status "Received" since 11 May 2026
Processing directions changed twice, and some documents have 12-month clocks.
8 Prepare for the move
Planning now
Schools, Medicare, housing, a Canadian citizenship, and a senior dog travelling via Korea.
Prefer the whole story in one go? Read our month-by-month timeline. New here? Meet Emi.
I am not a registered migration agent, and this is not immigration advice. Rules change, so check the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent for your own case.