In Queensland, bridging visa holders hit by Section 48 bar will not be nominated by the BMSQ (Business and Skilled Migration Queensland) for Subclass 491 visa even though they have been invited to lodge documents for visa application. Accordingly, the applicants are requested to withdraw their visa applications.
The 491 applicants who are on bridging visa and had a visa refused or cancelled must notify BMSQ of such refusals or cancellations if they have received invitation to lodge the visa application. Under these circumstances, the applicant is probably hit by Section 48 bar and accordingly is not eligible to lodge their state nominated visa application from Australia. Usually, the applicants would leave Australia to lodge their visa application from outside Australia and then return to Australia.
However, due to current travel restrictions during Covid-19 pandemic, it is not possible for applicants who are temporary visa holders to return to Australia for the time being. Thus, they are not eligible to lodge the visa application. If they wish to apply for 491 visa, they may submit an Expression of Interest again if they continue to meet the regional criteria.
