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Subclass 491 - Skilled Regional Provisional Visa
Your Guide to the skilled regional provisional visa in Australia
What is Subclass 491 - Skilled Regional Provisional Visa?
The 491 visa Australia is a temporary visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia. The Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa allows skilled workers and their families to stay in Australia for up to five years. This visa provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.
Benefits of the Visa
- Work and Live in Regional Australia: The skilled work regional provisional visa subclass 491 encourages skilled workers to contribute to regional areas, boosting local economies and communities.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: Holders of the subclass 491 visa can apply for permanent residency after meeting specific criteria, including living and working in a designated regional area.
- Flexibility: This visa allows you to travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while it is valid.
- Family Inclusion: You can include family members in your application, allowing them to live, work, and study in regional Australia.
Types of Subclass 491 Visa
Main Applicant
This is a provisional visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia.
- Duration: You can stay in Australia for 5 years.
- Application Process
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit your EOI through SkillSelect.
- Nomination/Sponsorship: Be nominated by a state or territory government agency or have an eligible relative sponsor you.
- Invitation to Apply: Receive an invitation to apply.
- Lodge Your Application: Lodge your application online.
- Apply Online: You can apply while in or outside Australia.
- Permanent Residency Pathway: After holding the 491 visa for at least three years and meeting specific requirements, including living and working in a designated regional area, you may be eligible to apply for the Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.
- Basic Eligibility
- Be nominated to apply by a state or territory government agency or be sponsored by an eligible relative.
- Have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list.
- Have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation.
- Be invited to apply.
- Satisfy the points test.
Subsequent Entrant
This visa is for family members (subsequent entrants) of someone who holds a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
- Duration: Stay until the visa held by the family member ends.
- Application Process: Apply online while in or outside Australia
- Permanent Residency Pathway: Eligible to apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).
- Basic Eligibility: Must be a member of the family unit of a subclass 491 visa holder.
Eligibility Criteria For 491 visa Australia
To be eligible for the 491 visa Australia, applicants must meet the following detailed criteria:
1. Sponsorship or Nomination
You must be nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area.
- State or Territory Nomination: You must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and be invited to apply by a state or territory government. Each state or territory has its own criteria and processes for nomination, which may include specific skills and experience, commitment to living and working in the region, and an ability to support yourself and your dependents.
- Eligible Relative Sponsorship: If you have an eligible relative who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen living in a designated regional area, they can sponsor you. Eligible relatives include parents, siblings, children, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and grandparents.
2. Skilled Occupation
Your occupation must be listed on the relevant skilled occupation list. This list is updated regularly to reflect Australia’s labor market needs. You need to:
- Ensure your occupation is on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) relevant to the 491 visa.
- Have skills and qualifications that are recognized and required for your nominated occupation.
3. Skills Assessment
A suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation is required. This assessment:
- Must be conducted by an authorized assessing authority specific to your occupation.
- Validates that your skills and qualifications match the Australian standards for your occupation.
- Is often a prerequisite for your EOI and visa application.
4. Age
You must be under 45 years of age at the time you receive an invitation to apply for the “skilled work regional provisional visa subclass 491.”
- There are no age exemptions; meeting this criterion is mandatory.
5. English Proficiency
You must demonstrate competent English proficiency. This can be proven by:
- Achieving the required scores in an approved English language test, such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or OET.
- Having a passport from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland, where you are a citizen of one of these countries.
6. Points Test
You must achieve a minimum of 65 points on the points test. Points are awarded based on:
- Age: Younger applicants receive more points.
- English Language Proficiency: Higher test scores result in more points.
- Skilled Employment Experience: Points for both Australian and overseas work experience in your nominated occupation.
- Educational Qualifications: Points for recognized qualifications, with higher points for higher education levels.
- State/Territory Nomination or Family Sponsorship: Points for receiving a nomination from a state or territory government or sponsorship from an eligible family member.
- Other Factors: Including study in regional Australia, partner skills, and professional year in Australia.
7. Health and Character
You and your family members must meet health and character requirements to ensure you are not a health or safety risk to the Australian community.
- Health Requirements: Undergo health examinations to meet the health requirement, ensuring you do not have a health condition that is a significant cost to the Australian community or healthcare system.
- Character Requirements: Provide police certificates from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the past 10 years, and complete a character statutory declaration. You must not have a substantial criminal record or be deemed a risk to Australia.
Application Process
Applying for the skilled regional visa involves several steps:
- Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit an EOI through the SkillSelect system.
- Nomination/Sponsorship: Obtain a nomination from a state or territory government or sponsorship from an eligible relative.
- Invitation to Apply: If you meet the requirements, you will receive an invitation to apply for the skilled work regional provisional visa subclass 491.
- Lodge Your Application: Submit your visa application within 60 days of receiving the invitation.
- Visa Outcome: Await the decision on your subclass 491 visa application.
Processing Time For all Visas
Check your Processing Time here.
- The visa applications on a case-by-case basis, and actual processing times can vary due to individual circumstances including:
- whether you have lodged a complete application, including all necessary supporting documents
- how quickly you respond to any requests for additional information
- how long it takes to perform required checks on the supporting information provided
- how long it takes to receive additional information from external agencies, particularly in relation to health, character, and national security requirements
- how many places are available in the migration program
Contact us today for a free consultation!
KnN Migration’s experienced team will guide you throughout the process, ensuring a smooth journey.
FAQs
The Subclass 491 visa is a temporary visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia. It is designed to address skill shortages in regional areas and provides a pathway to permanent residency.
You can be nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area of Australia.
Key criteria include being under 45 years of age, having a suitable skills assessment, demonstrating competent English proficiency, and achieving a minimum of 65 points on the points test.
Your occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list, which is updated regularly to reflect the needs of the Australian labor market.
The 491 visa is valid for five years, allowing you to live, work, and study in regional Australia.
Yes, you can include eligible family members in your application, and they can also live, work, and study in regional Australia.
Benefits include the ability to live and work in regional Australia, a pathway to permanent residency, and the inclusion of family members in the visa application.
The process involves submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI), obtaining a nomination or sponsorship, receiving an invitation to apply, and then lodging your visa application within 60 days.
Applicants must meet health and character requirements, including undergoing health examinations and providing police certificates.
After holding the 491 visa for at least three years and meeting specific requirements, including living and working in a designated regional area, you may be eligible to apply for the Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.
For more detailed information and the latest updates on the “491 visa Australia” and the “skilled work regional provisional visa subclass 491,” please refer to the official Australian Government website (Immigration and citizenship Website)
For More Information on Subclass 485 Visa, Visit:
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Our team of experts can assess your eligibility, guide you through the application process, and ensure a smooth journey towards your Australian dream.
Disclaimer
The details shared above were accurate as of July 2024, but it’s important to note that migration regulations change over time. This information is meant for general understanding and should not be taken as legal advice. Keep in mind that information can change, so reach out to us for the latest guidance tailored to your situation. We look forward to assisting you!
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