491 Visa - Skilled Work Regional Provisional 491 visa
SUMMARY
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) 491 Visa is for people who are nominated by a State or Territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member to live and work in regional Australia. (Perth is now regional)
The new Skilled Work Regional 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.
Applicants for this visa must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area and be invited to apply for the visa, following submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.
The 491 visa is a skilled visa (points tested).
Applicants will have the option to apply for permanent residency after 3 years if certain criteria is met.
VISA STATUS
For an applicant who satisfies the primary criteria, it is a temporary visa permitting the holder to travel to, enter and remain in Australia for 5 years from the date of grant. |
GOV PROCESSING TIMES
8 to 13 months Actual processing times may vary depending on a range of factors. |
VISA COSTS
Main Applicant $4,115 Additional Applicant (over 18) $2,060 Additional applicant (under 18) $1,030 Sponsorship fees TBC Nomination TBC Other fees may include: - Migration Agent Fees - Skills Assessment Fees - Private medical insurance - Medicals - Police Certificates - English Language Testing |
LOCATION
All Australia except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Applicants can be onshore or offshore. You are should live and work in the regional area. |
VISA REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:
- Have an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list.
- Skills assessments will be required for your chosen occupation. Note you cannot use your Graduate Visa 485 skill assessment for this visa.
- Competent English is required to meet the basic eligibility for the 491 visa. (eg IELTS 6,6,6,6, PTE 50).
To obtain higher points though applicants should try to obtain higher english scores than 'competent' .(ie Proficient for 10 points or Superior English for 20 points) - Be under 45 years of age
- You have submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) in Skillselect and have been invited to apply for the visa through Skill Select.
- You must have applied for the visa in the stated time.
- You have met the minimum points test score of at least 65 points. (higher points will be necessary to obtain an invite)
For those of you who would like to read more on the 491 visa please see our detailed analysis below...
Best read with a hot cup of tea!!!
491 VISA - SKILLED WORK REGIONAL 491 VISA - DETAILED ANALYSIS
Summary
For people who are nominated by a State or Territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member to live and work in regional Australia. (Perth is now regional). Closes the Subclass 489 (Skilled – Regional (Provisional)) visa (Subclass 489) to primary applicants.
When does it start?
The 491 visa commences on 16 November 2019.
How long is the visa duration?
The new Skilled Work Regional 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.
When can I apply for permanent residency?
Visa holders who are eligible will be able to apply for a Permanent Residence visa after three years.
What is the process to apply for the 491 visa?
Applicants for this visa must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area and be invited to apply for the visa, following submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. 491 visa is a skilled visa (points tested).
Is there a limit on visa places?
Yes the subclass 491 visa has 14,000 places allocated per year, which requires either state government nomination or sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area.
What is the age limit for the 491 visa?
The age limit for the 491 visa is 45 years of age.
Will I require a skill assessment for the 491 visa?
Yes most likely a full skill assessment will be required in your chosen occupation. Note you cannot use your Graduate Visa 485 skill assessment.
What points will I need to get an invite?
Good question!! We will only know the details on the required points after we get the data on the invitations issued under the new 491 visa. Currently, 65 points is the minimum. However, in reality much higher points are required for an invite. (eg 80/85).
Are there any changes to the Points test for the 491 visa?
Yes there are significant changes being made to the points test for all skilled visas. (189 visa, 190 visa, 491 visa).
The main changes are:
Can I apply for permanent residency after 3 years?
Possibly!! However, it will most importantly depend on the income you have earned. Ouch!! PR does not come easy these days... This will require a primary applicant to submit evidence of their minimum taxable income for least 3 income years. Regional provisional visas are valid for five years and the income requirement should be met for three out of those five years. How much do you need to earn? Well, most likely over $53,900.
Are there any restrictions on the 491 visa?
Yes, holders of the new regional provisional visas will be subject to visa condition 8579, requiring the visa holder to live, work and study in regional Australia. You can go on holiday to Sydney so do not worry about that!! If a visa holder chooses not to reside in regional Australia, this may result in cancellation of their visa. Ouch!!
How much is the 491 visa?
The 491 visa cost is currently $4,045 for the main applicant, $2,025 for an applicant who is at least 18 and
$1,010 for an applicant who is less than 18.
Thank you for reading to the end. I hope it helps you on your migration journey.
If you have any questions on the new 491 or 494 visa please email me directly and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Andrew McAuley (MARN: 1278335)
andrew@visamakers.com.au
For people who are nominated by a State or Territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member to live and work in regional Australia. (Perth is now regional). Closes the Subclass 489 (Skilled – Regional (Provisional)) visa (Subclass 489) to primary applicants.
When does it start?
The 491 visa commences on 16 November 2019.
How long is the visa duration?
The new Skilled Work Regional 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.
When can I apply for permanent residency?
Visa holders who are eligible will be able to apply for a Permanent Residence visa after three years.
What is the process to apply for the 491 visa?
Applicants for this visa must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area and be invited to apply for the visa, following submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. 491 visa is a skilled visa (points tested).
Is there a limit on visa places?
Yes the subclass 491 visa has 14,000 places allocated per year, which requires either state government nomination or sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area.
What is the age limit for the 491 visa?
The age limit for the 491 visa is 45 years of age.
Will I require a skill assessment for the 491 visa?
Yes most likely a full skill assessment will be required in your chosen occupation. Note you cannot use your Graduate Visa 485 skill assessment.
What points will I need to get an invite?
Good question!! We will only know the details on the required points after we get the data on the invitations issued under the new 491 visa. Currently, 65 points is the minimum. However, in reality much higher points are required for an invite. (eg 80/85).
Are there any changes to the Points test for the 491 visa?
Yes there are significant changes being made to the points test for all skilled visas. (189 visa, 190 visa, 491 visa).
The main changes are:
- 15 points for nomination by a State or Territory government agency or sponsorship by a family member residing in regional Australia, to live and work in regional Australia
- 10 points for a skilled spouse or de facto partner
- 10 points for certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) qualifications;
- 5 points for a spouse or de facto partner with ‘competent English
- 10 points for applicants without a spouse or de facto partner (ie single people)
Can I apply for permanent residency after 3 years?
Possibly!! However, it will most importantly depend on the income you have earned. Ouch!! PR does not come easy these days... This will require a primary applicant to submit evidence of their minimum taxable income for least 3 income years. Regional provisional visas are valid for five years and the income requirement should be met for three out of those five years. How much do you need to earn? Well, most likely over $53,900.
Are there any restrictions on the 491 visa?
Yes, holders of the new regional provisional visas will be subject to visa condition 8579, requiring the visa holder to live, work and study in regional Australia. You can go on holiday to Sydney so do not worry about that!! If a visa holder chooses not to reside in regional Australia, this may result in cancellation of their visa. Ouch!!
How much is the 491 visa?
The 491 visa cost is currently $4,045 for the main applicant, $2,025 for an applicant who is at least 18 and
$1,010 for an applicant who is less than 18.
Thank you for reading to the end. I hope it helps you on your migration journey.
If you have any questions on the new 491 or 494 visa please email me directly and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Andrew McAuley (MARN: 1278335)
andrew@visamakers.com.au
