Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 491

What you get with the visa subclass 491

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 491 is a temporary visa that offers the opportunity to live, work, and study in a designated regional area of Australia. This visa is offered in two main categories: the main applicant and subsequent entrants, who are family members accompanying the primary applicant.

Main Applicant:

• Duration: The primary applicant can stay and work in a designated region of Australia for five years with the Subclass 491 visa.
• Travel: They are permitted to travel in and out of Australia as many times as they desire throughout the visa period.
• Path to Permanent Residence: After qualifying based on the income and skills criteria for the first three years of holding the visa, the primary applicant can apply for permanent residence in Australia.

Subsequent Entrant:

• The subsequent entrant visa is intended for family members who wish to accompany the main applicant of the Subclass 491 visa to Australia.
• It is available for candidates who are part of the main applicant’s family unit.
• The visa remains valid for the same duration as the main applicant’s Subclass 491 visa.

Eligibility Criteria for Subclass 491 Visa:

To be eligible for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 491, you must meet the following criteria:

• Nomination: You must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency. Alternatively, you can indicate that you will be sponsored by an eligible relative.

• Age: The maximum age for applying for this visa is 45 years at the time of application.

• Skills Assessment: The applicant must have a suitable skills assessment issued not earlier than three years at the time of application.

• Occupation: The occupation you wish to undertake in Australia should be present in the Skilled Occupation List issued by the Australian Government.

• English Proficiency: The applicant must have a competent level of English proficiency. This requirement may be exempt for residents of the United Kingdom, USA, Canada, and New Zealand.

• Points Test: The Subclass 491 Visa is a points-tested visa. To be invited to apply for this visa, you need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the SkillSelect portal. If your indicative points score does not meet the minimum requirement of 65 points, you will not be invited to apply for the visa.

• Character Requirement: The primary applicant and family members aged 16 years and above who have also applied must meet the character requirement to be eligible for this visa.

Extending Your Stay:

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 491 allows you to stay in Australia with no travel restrictions for five years. If you wish to extend your stay beyond this period, you can apply for a permanent residence visa three years after receiving the Subclass 491 visa. This provides a pathway to obtaining permanent residency in Australia.