494 Visa - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional 494 visa
SUMMARY
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)) 494 visa is a new and enhanced employer-sponsored visa to assist regional Australia, with two streams: Employer Sponsored and Labour Agreement. Perth is classed as regional for this visa.
There are 3 stages to the visa. Firstly, the company would need approval from a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) , then a nomination would be lodged and finally the visa application itself submitted. There are 2 streams to the visa (Employer Sponsored and Labour Agreement Streams) . Length of stay - 5 years with option 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
47 Days to 9 Months (Employer Sponsored) Actual processing times may vary depending on a range of factors. |
VISA COSTS
Main Applicant $4,770 Additional Applicant (over 18) $2,385 Additional applicant (under 18) $1,190 Sponsorship fees 420 Nomination 330 Other fees may include: - Migration Agent Fees -SAF Payments - Skills Assessment Fees - Private medical insurance - Medicals - Police Certificates - English Language Testing |
LOCATION
Business needs to be located in a designated 'regional area'. 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:
EMPLOYEE
- Applicants must have at least three years of full time and relevant skilled work experience
- Competent English is required for the 494 visa. (eg IELTS 6,6,6,6, PTE 50)
- The applicant has the skills, qualifications and employment background that Immigration considers necessary to perform the tasks of the nominated occupation
- Skills assessments are required for your chosen occupation.
- Be under 45 years of age
- The applicant’s intention to perform the nominated occupation is genuine and the position associated with the nominated occupation is genuine.
- If mandatory for the occupation hold the relevant licensing, registration or professional membership. e.g nurses, teachers, electricians.
EMPLOYER
- To be actively and lawfully operating a business in Australia.
- Your employer will need approval from the Regional Certifying Body (RCB) in your area
- Skilling Australian Fund (SAF) payment made.
- Nominating an occupation on the 'Occupation List' for the 494 visa.
- Proving there is a ‘genuine need’ for the position to be nominated within the business.
- Nominating the employee to work in the position for a full time position for 5 years.
- Meeting the Labour Market Testing (LMT) requirements.
- Meeting the ‘Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR)’ criteria and the 'guaranteed annual earnings'
For those of you who would like to read more on the 494 visa please see our detailed analysis below...
Best read with a coffee!!!
494 VISA - SKILLED EMPLOYER SPONSORED REGIONAL 494 VISA - DETAILED ANALYSIS
Summary
A new and enhanced employer-sponsored visa to assist regional Australia, with two streams: Employer Sponsored and Labour Agreement. Note Perth is classed as regional. Closes the Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa, except for certain transitional applicants. Subclass 187 is superseded by Subclass 494.
When does the 494 visa start?
The 494 visa commences on 16 November 2019.
How long is the visa duration?
The new Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional 494 visa will enable eligible skilled workers and their families to live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years. 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.
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 as with the 494 visa.
What is the process to apply for the 494 visa?
The first step would be to find an employer willing to offer you a job and sponsorship. Get those CVs out there!!
Step 1 - Sponsorship Approval
Step 2 - Nomination Application (inc Regional Certifying Body assessment)
Step 3 - Visa Application
We can speak to your employer for your on your behalf to check their eligibility.
Please email me at [email protected], we would be happy to help if you have any questions.
Is there a limit on visa places?
Yes, the subclass 494 visa has 9,000 places allocated per year.
What is the age limit for the 494 visa?
The age limit for the 494 visa is 45 years of age.
Will I require a skill assessment for the 494 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.
Do I need work experience to apply for the 494 visa?
Yes, you must have at least three years of full time and relevant skilled work experience. For those on the Graduate Visa 485, it is super important to find employment as soon as possible to build up the 3 years experience.
What english level do I need for the 494 visa?
You will need 'Competent English' level to meet the requirements. See below:
Can I apply for permanent residency after 3 years?
Same as with the 491 visa. It will most importantly depend on the income you have earned. 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, same as with the 491 visa. In addition, you should have worked in the designated regional area for at least three years, whilst holding a 494 visa.
How do I apply for permanent residency from the 494 visa?
Permanent residence is applied for through a new visa called the Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)) visa. You can apply when the following is met:
1. You have worked in the designated regional area for at least three years, whilst holding a 494 visa
2. You can show earnings of at least $53,900 annually for three years. Note if your partner has earned the $53,900 then they can apply for the 191, so only one of you needs to show the 3 years of annual salary. Please note also that you do NOT need to be nominated by an employer to make an application for the 191 visa. This is a major difference to the RSMS 187 visa.
What are the employer requirements for the 494 visa?
In summary:
See Visa Makers for all the requirements.
Are there any restrictions on the 494 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 494 visa?
The 494 visa cost is $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.
What if I want to leave my employer on a 494 visa?
Should a 494 visa holder cease their employment, they are provided with a grace period of 90 days to find another employer sponsor and be nominated.
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 visa or the 494 visa please email me directly and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Andrew McAuley (MARN: 1278335)
[email protected]
A new and enhanced employer-sponsored visa to assist regional Australia, with two streams: Employer Sponsored and Labour Agreement. Note Perth is classed as regional. Closes the Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa, except for certain transitional applicants. Subclass 187 is superseded by Subclass 494.
When does the 494 visa start?
The 494 visa commences on 16 November 2019.
How long is the visa duration?
The new Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional 494 visa will enable eligible skilled workers and their families to live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years. 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.
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 as with the 494 visa.
What is the process to apply for the 494 visa?
The first step would be to find an employer willing to offer you a job and sponsorship. Get those CVs out there!!
Step 1 - Sponsorship Approval
Step 2 - Nomination Application (inc Regional Certifying Body assessment)
Step 3 - Visa Application
We can speak to your employer for your on your behalf to check their eligibility.
Please email me at [email protected], we would be happy to help if you have any questions.
Is there a limit on visa places?
Yes, the subclass 494 visa has 9,000 places allocated per year.
What is the age limit for the 494 visa?
The age limit for the 494 visa is 45 years of age.
Will I require a skill assessment for the 494 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.
Do I need work experience to apply for the 494 visa?
Yes, you must have at least three years of full time and relevant skilled work experience. For those on the Graduate Visa 485, it is super important to find employment as soon as possible to build up the 3 years experience.
What english level do I need for the 494 visa?
You will need 'Competent English' level to meet the requirements. See below:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) At least 6 for each of the 4 components
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) At least 50 for each of the 4 components
- Occupational English Test (OET) At least B for each of the 4 components
- Cambridge C1 Advanced test At least 169 in each of the 4 components
Can I apply for permanent residency after 3 years?
Same as with the 491 visa. It will most importantly depend on the income you have earned. 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, same as with the 491 visa. In addition, you should have worked in the designated regional area for at least three years, whilst holding a 494 visa.
How do I apply for permanent residency from the 494 visa?
Permanent residence is applied for through a new visa called the Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)) visa. You can apply when the following is met:
1. You have worked in the designated regional area for at least three years, whilst holding a 494 visa
2. You can show earnings of at least $53,900 annually for three years. Note if your partner has earned the $53,900 then they can apply for the 191, so only one of you needs to show the 3 years of annual salary. Please note also that you do NOT need to be nominated by an employer to make an application for the 191 visa. This is a major difference to the RSMS 187 visa.
What are the employer requirements for the 494 visa?
In summary:
- Your employer must be located in a designated regional area of Australia. (excludes employers in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne). The regions of Newcastle, Wollongong and the NSW Central Coast will become designated regional areas
- Your position is on the relevant occupation list
- Your employer will need approval from the Regional Certifying Body (RCB) in your area
- The position must be full-time, genuine and likely to be available for five years
- You must be paid at the market salary rate
See Visa Makers for all the requirements.
Are there any restrictions on the 494 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 494 visa?
The 494 visa cost is $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.
What if I want to leave my employer on a 494 visa?
Should a 494 visa holder cease their employment, they are provided with a grace period of 90 days to find another employer sponsor and be nominated.
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 visa or the 494 visa please email me directly and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Andrew McAuley (MARN: 1278335)
[email protected]