This article will provide you with detailed information about 491 Visa Australia: Requirements, Applications & Benefits
The Skilled Work Regional Visa – Subclass 491 replaces the 489 visa on the 16th of November 2019.
It’s one of the General Skilled Migration together with
Skilled Independent Subclass 189
Skilled or Subclass State Nominated 190
It’s originally a temporary visa that may lead to PR. It’s not employer-sponsored and requires you to commit to living and working in a regional area. It is an excellent pathway to permanent residency after the visa holder has completed three years in the regional area of state nomination.
With Australia being the top destination for foreign nationals today, Subclass 491 is a blessing! Immigrants are being welcomed to Australia’s beautiful landscapes with open arms. One can now work, settle, and become a resident of Australia for 5 years with the help of this Visa.
To know more about 491 Visa Australia, keep on reading this article!
491 Visa Australia: Benefits
Stay in Australia for 5 years
Live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia in line with your visa conditions. A simplified definition of regional Australia for skilled migration purposes includes all areas of Australia except the metropolitan areas of; Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Gold Coast, Perth Newcastle, Wollongong, and the NSW Central Coast will now be eligible.
The visa has got multiple travel rights.
Work in any occupation and for any employer in line with the work and residence conditions attached to your visa.
491 Visa Australia: Eligibility Criteria
Be invited to apply, nominated by a state or territory government agency, or sponsored by an eligible relative
Have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
Have a successful skills assessment for the occupation
You meet the pass mark in the skilled migration points test – currently 65.
You are currently aged between 18 – 45 years old
Have a competent level of English (6 minimum in IELTS or holder of approved passports)
Satisfy the health and character requirements
Don’t owe the Australian government any money
No history of visa cancellation or a previous application refused
Other Eligibility Criteria:
Need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Need to receive an EOI nomination invitation email in response
491 Visa Australia: Application Process
You must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) SkillSelect to express your interest to apply for this visa.
An EOI is not a visa application and there is no fee to create or submit an EOI in SkillSelect. SkillSelect will calculate your point score based on the claims made in your EOI. It is mandatory to score at least 65 points to be invited to apply for a visa.
Here is a step-by-step guide to how to apply for the 491 visa:
Step 1: Take the skills assessment test from a recognized skills assessment authority
Step 2: Submit the Expression of Interest (EOI) after that
Step 3: Wait for being invited to apply sponsorship
Step 4: Have the sponsorship in place; settled PRs, Australian citizens, or state
Step 5: Apply to DoHa and the state approves sponsorship
Step 6: Apply for the visa within 60 days
491 Visa Australia: Documents Required
For applicants between the age of 18-23
For applicants between the age of 18-23, there is a requirement for the following documents:
Birth certificatePassportEvidence for financial dependencyAdoption papers (case specific)
Applicants above the age of 23, but are still dependent on their parents
Applicants above the age of 23, but are still dependent on their parents because of some physical impairment or cognitive issues.
There is a requirement of the following:
Birth certificatePassportEvidence for financial dependencyAdoption papers (case specific)Medical reports addressing the condition of the applicant
Documents associated with your claims on EOI
The following are the documents associated with your claims on EOI that you need to provide:
Skill Assessment
Language Assessment
Australian skilled employment
Education Qualification (as per Australian standards)
Specialist education
Study in regional Australia
Partner skills
Work experience in Australia
If you have a sponsor
If you have a sponsor, then your sponsor needs to provide the following:
Age proof (18 years and above)
Declaration by your sponsor
Proof of being an eligible relative
Permanent residency proof
491 Visa Australia: Cost
The Skilled work Regional visa subclass 491 has an application cost of AUD 4115 (2-3 lakhs)for the primary applicant. For each subsequent entrant of eligible family members, there is a separate cost involved.
Prices involved in the application process are given below
Primary Applicant - Subclass 491 - 4115 AUD (2-3 lakhs)
Reliant 18 years and above - Subclass 491 - 2055 AUD (1-2 lakhs)
Reliant 18 years and below - Subclass 491 - 1030 AUD (55k-60k)
For each applicant and dependent
Biometrics - 60 AUD (3k-4k)
Medical Test - 350 AUD (19k-20k)
Police Clearance Certificate - Depends
491 Visa Australia: Processing Time
There is no specific time for processing the application of visa 491. But the regional application processes are given more priority.
75% of visa applications are processed in 7 months. 90% of visa application processing is done in 8 months
Processing times can vary due to the following circumstances:
If your application is complete with all necessary documents
How fast you respond to requests for additional information.
How much time it takes to get required checks done to verify your supporting information.
How much time it takes to receive additional information from external parties, specifically related to your health, character and national security requirements.
Conclusion
The new 491 visas, Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) subclass 491 visa will enable eligible skilled workers and their families to live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years
So, In this article, we have tried to cover everything related to the 491 Visa Australia. We hope you like this article.
FAQ
If you are older than 45 can you apply for the 491 visa?
If you are older than 45 you cannot apply for the 491 visa. Perhaps you could consider the 482 visa or DAMA if you are looking for PR.
Is the 491 permanent?
The 491 visa is a temporary or provisional visa. However, if you work in the area for 3 years you may be able to transition onto the permanent 191 visa
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