Skilled Work Regional Visa Subclass 491

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa Subclass 491 is a provisional visa meant for those skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia. The Australian government introduced this visa category on November 16, 2019. This particular visa replaced the old Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 489.

What are the benefits of Subclass 491 Visa?

This particular visa offers some added benefit compared to the old 489 visas. Find below the key benefits of this visa:

This visa allows you to stay in Australia for 5 years. The visa holders are allowed to live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia.

You can include the eligible family members in the application. It allows the visa holder to travel to and from Australia as many times as they want while the visa is valid.

• 5 additional points for regional nomination or sponsorship provide an extra incentive for prospective migrants to consider settling in the country’s regional parts.
  
• Permanent Residency pathway available with upcoming Subclass 191 visa, starting from 16 November 2022.
  
• The government extends the priority processing provisions. It now includes all visa applications sponsored by regional employers and other visa applicants to live and stay in Australia’s regional areas.
  
• 491 & 494 subclass visa holders are eligible to enrol for Medicare
  
• 491 & 494 subclass visa holders will be able to move between the regional areas, unlike 489 subclass
  
• Except for Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane rest, all will be considered as Regional Areas.
  
• ACT is also sponsoring a subclass 491 visa, which never use to sponsor the regional visa, i.e., 489 visas earlier. Canberra, which is the capital city of Australia.
  
• Access to the Regional Occupations List – more jobs compared to non-regional lists.
  
• International students studying at regional universities will be eligible to access an additional year in Australia on a post-study work visa.
  
• Priority in negotiating region-specific Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs).

Australia’s government encourages migration to regional parts of the country to relieve the added burden and congestion in the big cities. In addition, there is a great demand for skilled and talented people in the regional areas due to the ongoing skill shortage.

Hence, the introduction of this visa is a key step towards boosting migration to regional Australia. The government has allocated 25,000 new visa places annually for regional visas.

Let us now look at key requirements to apply for a Subclass 491 Visa.

What is the requirement to apply for Subclass 491 Visa?

To apply for this particular visa, an applicant needs:

• To be under 45 years of age to be invited to apply for the visa.
  
• to be nominated by a state or territory government agency, or an eligible relative must sponsor you to apply for this visa
  
• to have an occupation listed in a relevant skilled occupation list, i.e. Combined List of Eligible Skilled Occupations
  
• to have a suitable skills assessment from an approved assessing authority for the occupation
  
• to have competent English, i.e. IELTS band 6 for each four components
  
• To have received an Invitation to Apply by DHA (via SkillSelect System).
  
• to have enough points (minimum 65 points) on the points assessment table
  
• To meet the health and character requirement. Provide the medical certificate and PCC (Police Clearance Certificate) for the same.

How to Apply

It is wise to apply for this visa in a stepwise manner. Here is the stepwise process to apply for a Subclass 491 visa:

• Gather the Essential documents to register a profile, i.e. IELTS test result for English proficiency and Skill Assessment report
  
• Submit your EOI (Expression of Interest) profile in the SkillSelect online system
  
• The DHA will issue ITA (invitation to apply) in your name through one of its monthly SkillSelect invitation rounds.
  
• Apply for the visa, along with required documents, within 60 days of receipt of the ITA
  
• Your visa application processed. Provide PCC and medical certificate when asked by the visa office
  
• Get approval of visa from the Department of Home Affairs Australia in your name.
  

What is the processing time of a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa?

Since it is a new visa; hence, the processing time of Skilled work Regional visa Subclass 491 is not available now. However, the average processing time for this is likely to be available once we get the first lot of candidates with approved visa status.

What is the cost of a Subclass 491 visa?

Find below the visa fees for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa Subclass 491 along with the cost/fees applicable for additional applicant scenario:

The visa-free or immigration rules and the procedure is subject to change. Hence, to confirm the latest process and eligibility requirement, you may get in touch with a certified Australia migration expert at Anavrin Adviser.

For more information or to see if you qualify, please make an enquiry with one of our qualified and experienced Migration Consultants.