12 Reasons to Apply For The New 491 Visa

Are you thinking about applying for the new 491 visa?  


Well look no further as below we have listed 12 reasons to apply for the 491 visa.
Otherwise known as the Skilled Work Regional Subclass 491 (Provisional) visa). 

1. Permanent Residency After 3 years
   One of the main advantages of applying for the 491 visa is that it offers visa holders the possibility of applying for Permanent Residency after 3 years. One step closer to the Aussie passport!! 
   
   
2. 5 year Visa
   The 491 Visa offers holders with a reasonably long temporary visa. That is a 5 year visa. 
   
   
3. Priority Processed
   The 491 Visa is ‘priority processed’ by Immigration as it is a regional visa, meaning Immigration should assess your application before other visa applications.
   
   
4. 491 Visa Perth
   Perth is classed a regional for the 491 visa. Great for those who live here or who want to relocate from overseas or from other states. Perth has 300 sunny days a year, say no more :). Contact us for the Perth 491 Visa requirements. 
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5. Large Occupation List
   The occupation list for this visa is larger than with non-regional visas. So if you are a footballer, flower grower, makeup artist or massage therapist this visa may be for you. Check out the occupation list for the 491 visa here (occupation list 491 visa)
   
   
6. Medicare
   Holders of the 491 visa will have access to medicare. Yes you read that correctly. This is another great reason to apply for the 491 visa. 
       
7. Lots of Places
   There are over 25,000 regional places allocated to the regional 491 visa.     
   
   
8. Secondary applicants
   Secondary applicants can live, study and work in a different regional area so long as they are still in a designated regional area. Great for sending your husband off to work far away. Only joking!!
   
   
9. Work Rights
   Work rights will automatically be attached to the Bridging Visa A granted to onshore applicants for a new 491 regional visa. 
   
   
10. 15 Points Extra
    Immigration will give you an extra 15 points on the points test for Australia if you are nominated by a state or sponsored by a family member residing in regional Australia. Very kind of them!!        
                            
11. Access to Centrelink Payments?
    Subject to being passed by Parliament it may be possible for holders of provisional skilled regional visas, (ie 491 visa and 494 visa) to have access to welfare payments or government services as if they are holders of permanent visas. This could mean those who hold the 491 visa can assess Centrelink payments. 
    
    
12. 491 Visa conditions
    Holders of the new 491 visa for Australia will be subject to visa condition 8579, requiring the visa holder to live, work and study in regional Australia. This is not so bad in reality with all of Australia classed as Regional, except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. 

There we go, there are 12 good reasons to apply for a Skilled Work Regional Subclass 491 (Provisional) visa. 

If you have any questions about the Perth 491 visa requirements or for any other visa please call Andrew McAuley (Registered Migration Agent on 0416 468 333 or email [email protected]. Alternatively please complete the Form below and we will be in touch as soon as possible with you.