If you’ve looked at the Australian immigration website, you’ve probably seen visa “processing times” listed.
90% of 189 visas processed in 4 months.
90% of 186 visas processed in 6 months.
Seems straightforward, right?
But here’s what most nurses don’t realise:
Those are just indicative estimates — not guarantees.
We hear from nurses all the time who feel frustrated, anxious, or even misled because their visa is taking much longer than expected. Some think something must be wrong. Others feel tempted to reapply or abandon the process altogether.
The truth?
Processing times vary constantly — and are impacted by policy, demand, and yearly visa allocations.
There are many factors that can delay (or speed up) a visa — including:
🔍 Your individual risk profile (e.g. nationality, travel history, health issues, family composition)
🧾 Completeness of your documentation
🏥 Health assessment or character issues
🧑⚖️ The visa stream you applied for (e.g. 482 vs 186 vs 189)
🧑💻 Case officer workloads
📈 Backlogs from previous program years
⚠️ Security checks or document verification delays
So even if someone else got their visa in 3 months, yours might take 9 — and that’s still normal.
Here’s something most nurses have never been told:
Australia does not offer unlimited visas.
Each year, the Australian Government sets a maximum number of visas that can be granted per visa type — known as visa allocations.
For example:
There may only be 10,000 skilled independent visas available in a given program year
Or 12,000 subclass 190 nominations across all states and territories
Or a limited number of healthcare and critical sector places under employer-sponsored visas
Once that quota is filled, processing may pause — even if your application is ready to go.
In short:
Visa allocation limits can slow down approvals — not because your case has issues, but because the program is full.
This happens every year. Especially towards June, when the financial year ends and allocations run out.
Let’s say you apply for a skilled visa in April. Your documents are perfect. You’ve met the health and character checks. Everything’s ready.
But… the Department has hit its cap for skilled visas for the year.
Result?
Your visa may sit untouched until the next financial year begins in July — or until new allocations are released.
We’ve even seen:
Invitations paused while waiting for allocations
Employer nominations approved, but visa grants stalled
Expression of Interest backlogs carried over into the next year
👉 This isn’t a failure on your part — it’s just how the system works.
The government can (and does) shift processing priorities without notice.
For example:
During COVID-19, healthcare workers were prioritised above all other occupations
In 2023, regional and critical sector visas were fast-tracked
In 2024, some onshore applicants were given preference over offshore
In 2025, some states received interim allocations, causing delays elsewhere
If your case isn’t in the current “high priority” bucket, it may wait longer — regardless of your points or documents.
That’s why it’s dangerous to rely on what someone else experienced 6 or 12 months ago.
Australia’s visa strategy is dynamic, and what worked then may not apply now.
Here’s what we tell all our nurse clients:
✅ Apply strategically and early
The sooner you apply in the program year, the less risk you have of hitting quota delays. July–September is often ideal.
✅ Prepare your documents completely and accurately
Avoid processing delays due to incorrect paperwork or missing details. A single error could put your file to the bottom of the pile.
✅ Work with a legal team that tracks policy and allocations
At SOLVi, we monitor departmental announcements, allocation rollouts, and priority changes every week. We update strategies in real time — not based on what worked last year.
✅ Don’t compare timelines
Migration is not a race. It’s a legal process. Don’t make decisions based on your friend’s timeline — they are likely in a completely different scenario.
Don’t forget:
You can’t apply for a skilled visa without first holding AHPRA registration.
For most nurses, your timeline will include:
AHPRA registration
ANMAC skills assessment
Expression of Interest and possible state nomination
Visa application lodgement
Health and character checks
Processing wait
Each of these steps has its own timing — and if you delay any one step, your place in the queue moves back.
That’s why we always say:
Start early. Start right. Start with strategy.
If you’ve been told your visa will be granted in “X months,” be careful.
There are no guarantees in this system.
✅ Visa processing is not just about what’s on paper — it’s about allocations, priorities, and global demand.
✅ Your case is just one of millions.
✅ Timelines are helpful guides, not legal promises.
✅ And the best thing you can do is plan ahead and work with experts who know how to navigate the system.
If you’re waiting for everything to be “perfect” before starting your registration or migration process — you may miss your window entirely.
SOLVi Migration is the only Australian law firm specialising in legal strategy for nurse migration.
👉 Book a legal consult to map your eligibility, understand your timelines, and get a plan that protects your future:
👉 Need AHPRA registration first? Start today with our Nurse Registration Course and move toward PR with confidence: