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- Skilled Work Regional Visa - Subclass-491
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa, also known as the subclass 491 visa, is a temporary visa for skilled workers who wish to reside and work in regional areas of Australia for a period of up to five years. To be eligible for this visa, the applicant must be nominated by a state or territory government, or be sponsored by an eligible family member living in a regional area. The visa is point-tested and is only available for occupations listed on the skilled occupation list, and the minimum score required is 65. After working for at least three years in a regional area, the applicant may be eligible to apply for a permanent residency visa. It should be noted that this visa does not permit work or residence in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, but does allow work in the capital of the state in which the applicant is nominated.
Benefits of Subclass 491 Visa
- The applicant can live, work, and study in a designated region of Australia for a period of up to 5 years.
- The applicant can bring their family to live with them in Australia.
- After three years of residing in a regional area of Australia, the visa holder may be eligible to apply for permanent residence.
- The visa holder is allowed to travel to and from Australia as many times as they like while the visa is valid.
- Additional points (15 points) will be granted to those applying for a 491 visa.
Requirements for Subclass 491 Visa
- Must be nominated by a state or territory government agency or have a sponsor who is a suitable relative.
- Must have an occupation on the relevant Skilled Occupation List.
- Must have suitable skill assessment results for the occupation, obtained within the last 3 years before the date of invitation.
- Must be invited to apply for the visa.
- Must pass the points test with a score of 65 or higher.
- Must be under the age of 45 to apply.
- Must have English language proficiency skills at the competent level (IELTS 6.0 Overall or equivalent PTE).)
- Must meet health and character requirements.
Each state and territory government agency has its own set of requirements for different occupations when determining who to nominate as an applicant. However, the basic requirements are consistent across all states and territories, while the specific requirements may vary depending on the occupation and the particular state or territory in question. The list of states and territories that can nominate the applicant is provided below. To learn more about the nomination procedure and requirements, you can get in touch with the organization directly. We advise you to get in touch with a Migration Agent to ease your worries.
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
According to the Department of Home Affairs, processing times for 491 visa applications cannot be determined as each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Delays in processing may occur due to various factors.
- Whether all necessary supporting documents have been included in the application.
- The speed at which the applicant responds to any requests for additional information.
- The amount of time required for the Department of Home Affairs to complete necessary checks on the provided supporting information.
- The time frame for receiving additional information from external agencies, specifically in regard to health, character, and national security requirements.
