491 Visa Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
Visa Overview
Subclass 491 is a type of visa for skilled people nominated by a state or territory government regional nomination or who have a family member in regional Australia who can sponsor them. This will allow applicants to work and stay in regional areas in Australia for up to 5 years.
491 Visa has two streams:
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa – Main applicant
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa – Subsequent entrant, family stream
Benefits
stay in Australia for 5 years
live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia
travel to and from Australia as many times as they want, while the visa is valid
apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time the visa is granted
be one of the members of the family unit, of a subclass 491 visa holder.
491 Visa Pathway to Permanent Residency
After holding this visa for 3 years an applicant may be eligible to meet the requirements for a permanent Subclass 191 visa (Effective: 16th of November 2022)
Eligibility
Be under 45 years of age.
Have a skilled occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.
Be able to demonstrate ‘Competent English’
Have a positive skills assessment from the relevant skills assessing authority in relation to your nominated occupation
Obtain the minimum score on the Points Test at the time of invitation to apply for the visa
Be nominated by an Australian State or Territory government or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area of Australia.
Obtain an invitation to apply for the visa. To be invited you will have to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect and meet the required points test on a competitive basis
Satisfy certain Public Interest criteria and Special Return criteria
Meet health and character requirements.
How It Works
Step 1: Nominated Occupation
Choose an eligible occupation relevant to your qualifications and experience – occupation is in Australia’s Skilled Occupation list; Long-term (MLTSSL) or Short-term list (STSOL).
Step 2: Complete skills assessment
Get your skills assessed by a relevant assessing authority listed on your eligible occupation
Secure your skills assessment within 3 years before the date of invitation
Step 3: Submit an EOI (Expression of Interest)
Submit an EOI through SkillSelect
You must be able to obtain at least 65 points
The claims you make in your EOI must be proven (gather all supporting documents)
Step 4: State Nomination
Each state has their own requirements. Applicants must meet each requirement to receive an invitation.
You will receive an invitation if you have enough points and there are places available for your occupation
You could receive an invitation up to 2 years after submitting an EOI
Step 5: Visa Application
You can be in or outside Australia when you apply
You only have 60 days from the date of invitation to apply for the visa
Processing times
75% of applications: 6 months
90% of applications: 16 months
Our Service
For more than 20 years we have been handling skilled visa applications where we have a dedicated team to handle your application.
We have a team of 20+ lawyers, registered migration agents, and legal assistants.
We assist in all guidance, checklist, samples, and cross-check everything before submission. Most importantly, we can make legal submissions to address how you meet all the visa requirements and whether there is a grey area in your situation.
Obtaining your skills assessment
Obtaining a nomination from a State or Territory Government (if required)
Preparing your relative sponsorship application (if required)
Lodging and monitoring your visa application
Managing your bridging visas
We monitor the process and represent you in all communications skills assessing authorities and the Department of Home Affairs from start to finish until the visa grant.
Think Visa can also provide you with successful strategies depending on your circumstances:
Previous visa refusals/cancellations
Tribunal appeals
Packaged visas to achieve ultimate migration goal
Factors that can affect character assessment such as criminal history/charges.
Please contact us today so we can make your goals become a reality.
Migration law is complex and is constantly changing. Let Think Visa do the thinking for you!
Costs
Department fees: AUD4,115
Accreditation
Words from our clients
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Laura Bajurny
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Expert lawyers, just a click away.
Let us solve your migration problems. We provide:
Trusted legal advice with peace of mind for your migration journey
Prepare, lodge and liaise with the Department on behalf of you and your family
Project-manage the application until the visa is granted and bring you to Australia