Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) – Subclass 491 Visa
The Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) serves as a gateway to attaining Australian permanent residency. Tailored for skilled professionals and their families, this visa facilitates living and working in the regional corners of Australia.
By opting for the Subclass 491 Visa, individuals gain the chance to make meaningful contributions to local communities, get valuable work experience, and pave the way for potential permanent residency. With a validity of up to 5 years, the Skilled Work Regional Visa empowers qualified individuals to reside, work, and study within Australia, provided they meet specific conditions. Importantly, while this visa permits work within Australia, job selection must align with the skilled occupation list under the Australian Skilled Migration program.
With years of proven success, we’ve mastered the complexities of regional visa applications. We craft personalized visa strategies based on your profile, maximizing your chances of approval and minimizing delays.
Our team of proficient Migration Agents will provide expert guidance for navigating the visa application process. Whether you’re the primary applicant or a subsequent entrant, our immigration specialists can assist in overcoming the complexities, leaving no room for uncertainties or setbacks. Contact us today to take the first step toward your new life!
Basic requirements to lodge visa application
- You must be invited to apply via SkillSelect
- You must be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation to apply
- You must meet the minimum English language requirement (Competent English)
- You must have a positive skills assessment from the relevant skills assessing authority in relation to your nominated occupation
- You have been nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area
- You must meet the minimum points score at the time of invitation to apply for the visa.
- You must meet health and character requirements
If you have an eligible relative to sponsor you for the 491 visa
The eligible relative can sponsor you for this visa if they:
- Are at least 18 years of age
- Live in a designated regional area of Australia
- Are an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
- be your or your partner’s eligible relative
The eligible relative must be related to you or your partner as a:
- a parent
- a child or step-child
- a brother, sister, adoptive brother, adoptive sister, step-brother or step-sister
- an aunt, uncle, adoptive aunt, adoptive uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle
- a nephew, niece, adoptive nephew, adoptive niece, step-nephew or step-niece
- a grandparent, or
- a first cousin
This visa lets you
- Stay in Australia for up to five years, with full travel and work rights
- Live, work and study in a designated areas or specified regions of Australia
- work in any occupation and for any employer in line with the work and residence conditions attached to your visa.
This visa provides a pathway to permanent residence through the Subclass 191 visa.
New zealand passport holders
If an immigration officer processes your clearance at our border, we recommend you tell them
- you have a Skilled Work Regional (provisional) (Subclass 491) visa
- you do not want a Special Category visa (subclass 444)
If you do not tell them, you might be granted the subclass 444 visa. Grant of a subclass 444 visa might affect your eligibility for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa and ultimately, your eligibility for permanent residency or Australian citizenship.
Note : Please Book a Consultation for an initial assessment and find out if you are eligible for an Australian visa and let us guide you towards your Australian migration goal.
FAQs
The processing time for Visa 491 may vary depending on individual circumstances and the number of applications received. Therefore, you should check the official Department of Home Affairs website for the current processing times.
The visa application fee is AUD$4,115 for the main applicant, AUD$2,060 for each dependent over 18 years old, and AUD$1,030 for each dependent under 18 years old. The processing time varies depending on your country of origin, level of risk and completeness of your application.
A visa will be granted to you based on the date of your nomination or sponsorship. Generally, you can stay in Australia for up to five years from the date of the grant or from the date your nomination or sponsorship ceases, whichever is earlier. You can also travel in and out of Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid.
Yes, you can apply for permanent residency with a skilled regional visa (Subclass 191). This visa requires at least three years of living and working in regional Australia, meeting the income threshold and other requirements.
