Benefits of Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

• The 491 visa provides a pathway to a permanent residency through the Skilled Regional (Permanent) visa (subclass 191) after meeting specific requirements.
• The 491 visa allows holders to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to five years.
• 491 visa holders are eligible to enroll in Australia's public healthcare system, Medicare, which provides access to medical services and subsidized medications.
• The 491 visa can provide additional points on the Skills assessment, potentially helping applicants to qualify for other skilled migration visas.
• Family members can be included in the visa application, and eligible family members can also be sponsored for the visa

Pathway to Permanent Residency

The 491 visa provides a pathway to a permanent residency through the Skilled Regional (Permanent) visa (subclass 191) after meeting specific requirements, such as living and working in a regional area for a certain period. Applicants can apply for the 191 visa after three years on the 491 visa. 

Living, Working, and Studying

The 491 visa allows holders to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to five years. This includes the freedom to travel in and out of Australia multiple times during the visa's validity. Regional areas offer a unique lifestyle and can provide access to a range of employment opportunities. 

Access to Healthcare and Other Benefits

491 visa holders are eligible to enroll in Australia's public healthcare system, Medicare, which provides access to medical services and subsidized medications.They may also be eligible for subsidized education, including the possibility of scholarships offered to regional students.

Increased Job Opportunities

Regional areas often have a higher demand for skilled workers in various industries, which can translate to more job opportunities and potentially higher salaries for visa holders. The competitive landscape in regional areas might be less intense compared to major cities, making it easier for migrants to secure employment.

Other Advantages

The 491 visa can provide additional points on the Skills assessment, potentially helping applicants to qualify for other skilled migration visas. Family members can be included in the visa application, and eligible family members can also be sponsored for the visa.

Types of Nominations for 491 Visa Australia

The 491 visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to 5 years as well as live and work there. The country offers two types of nominations if you wish to migrate using this visa. The two types of nominations are:

• Family sponsorship
• State or territory nomination

Family Sponsorship

Your family member staying in a regional area of Australia can sponsor you. However, there are some conditions to it:

• The family member should be residing in the same regional area where you wish to migrate.
• The family member should be an approved sponsor.
• The family member sends the Sponsorship application on your behalf .

Therefore, if you have a family member in a regional area Australia then this will make your visa process and will help you settle down comfortably in a new environment.

State/ Territory Nomination

This nomination gives you some extra points in your points test score, in order to qualify for a 491 visa Australia. You will be nominated by the state or territory. This happens after you fulfil the eligibility criteria points laid down by the government. Ensure that your occupation matches with one of those in the skilled occupation list.

The following steps will clarify the nomination process:

• Checking the eligibility status for a 491 visa.
• The meeting and expression of interest.
• Filing for your nomination application.
• Await to receive the nomination and invitation to apply.

Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) Requirements

There are many requirements that will need to be fulfilled if you want to get a 491 visa in Australia. A few details are as follows:
You first have to get nominated by a state or territory in Australia or receive a sponsorship with the help of your family member in Australia.

• You are occupation mentioned in the skilled occupation list. Also, you must have relevant experience in your chosen occupation.
• Your skill Assessment should be complete before hand and should have a positive result.
• You must have invitation to apply from the government of Australia.
• Your points test score should be greater than or equal to 65 points. You may receive additional points for getting nominated by the state.
• Your age should be less than or equal to 45 years.
• You should have obtained medical examination certificate and character certificate beforehand.
• Ensure to satisfy the language proficiency criteria
   

Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) Processing Time

Various factors affect your visa application processing time. If you are applying through a state nomination, then the processing time for your application will depend upon the following factors:

• The time taken by you to fulfil the state nomination requirements.
• Accuracy of your application.
• Time taken for assessment of your application.

In case you are applying via family sponsorship, then it will depend upon the situation of your family member. Factors such as residential status or citizenship status are important. If the family member is not an approved sponsor, then firstly that criterion should be fulfilled before he/ she sponsors you.

Sometimes, obtaining the skill assessment maybe a little time consuming which can delay the processing of your application. The degree of completeness of your application plays an important role in a faster visa processing. If your application is accurate and all the required documents are attached along with, it will be processed faster.

The processing time class 491 visa is approximately 12 months.
 

Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) Application Process

The step by step process is as follows:

Step 1. Assessing and fulfilling the eligibility criteria

• Your age must be less than 45 years at the time of application. 
• Your occupation should be listed on the skilled occupation list.
• You must have a positive skill assessment and fulfil the language proficiency requirement.
• You will need to meet the Points test score of 65 and above and health and character requirements.

 Step 2. Expression of Interest

After assessing your eligibility criteria points you need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). This application is used by the department of home affairs. After submission of your EOI, you will receive an invitation to apply for the visa.

Step 3. Getting a nomination and gathering all the documents required for applying

The third step is to get a nomination. This nomination can be a state or territory or a sponsorship from the eligible family member. The state nomination will help you in gaining some additional points in your points test score. But, a family sponsorship is beneficial as you will get a good foot holding to settle in a new country. Your family member should be an approved sponsor in order to sponsor you. After receiving the nomination you can gather all the documentation for your visa application.

Step 4.  Filing the visa application online.

After collecting all the documents, you can file the visa application online through your ImmiAccount. A lot of evidence and proofs are attached along with your application.
Step 5. After filling the application form, you will pay your visa fee that is around AUD 4,115. After this, you will wait for your application approval.

Pathway to Permanent Residency (Subclass 191)

The visa 491 can eventually lead you to a permanent residency in Australia. A visa holder having a 491 visa can apply for a PR through subclass191 visa. But you will have to meet the criteria to get a 191 visa.

These are as follows:

• You should be having a visa for 491 for at least 3 years before applying for a PR.
• During these three years you can live, work and study in the designated regional areas of the country.
• Also, as a visa holder of a 491 visa you must satisfy the minimum income criteria in order to get a PR. This income must be obtained from an Australian company or employer.
• All the visa conditions pertaining to a 491 visa will have to be complied with.
• For a subclass 191 visa not need a nomination.

A Subclass 191 visa will encourage new migrants to settle in the regional areas of Australia. It is a direct route towards getting a PR in the country and availing all the rights associated with the permanent residency. You do not need any sponsorship by the state or territory or any nomination for this visa. You can have a smooth transition from a 491 Visa to a 191 Visa.
 

Frequently Asked Questions