-kci8p.jpg)
This article will provide you with detailed information about 491 Visa Australia: Requirements, Applications & Benefits
The Skilled Work Regional Visa – Subclass 491 replaces the 489 visa on the 16th of November 2019.
- It’s one of the General Skilled Migration together with
- Skilled Independent Subclass 189
Skilled or Subclass State Nominated 190
It’s originally a temporary visa that may lead to PR. It’s not employer-sponsored and requires you to commit to living and working in a regional area. It is an excellent pathway to permanent residency after the visa holder has completed three years in the regional area of state nomination.
With Australia being the top destination for foreign nationals today, Subclass 491 is a blessing! Immigrants are being welcomed to Australia’s beautiful landscapes with open arms. One can now work, settle, and become a resident of Australia for 5 years with the help of this Visa.
To know more about 491 Visa Australia keep on reading this article!
491 Visa Australia: Benefits
- Stay in Australia for 5 years
- Live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia in line with your visa conditions. A simplified definition of regional Australia for skilled migration purposes includes all areas of Australia except the metropolitan areas of; Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Gold Coast, Perth Newcastle, Wollongong, and the NSW Central Coast will now be eligible.
- The visa has got multiple travel rights.
- Work in any occupation and for any employer in line with the work and residence conditions attached to your visa.
491 Visa Australia: Eligibility Criteria
- Be invited to apply, nominated by a state or territory government agency, or sponsored by an eligible relative
- Have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
- Have a successful skills assessment for the occupation
- You meet the pass mark in the skilled migration points test – currently 65.
- You are currently aged between 18 – 45 years old
- Have a competent level of English (6 minimum in IELTS or holder of approved passports)
- Satisfy the health and character requirements
- Don’t owe the Australian government any money
- No history of visa cancellation or a previous application refused
Other Eligibility Criteria:
- Need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
- Need to receive an EOI nomination invitation email in response
491 Visa Australia: Application Process
You must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) SkillSelect to express your interest to apply for this visa.
An EOI is not a visa application and there is no fee to create or submit an EOI in SkillSelect. SkillSelect will calculate your point score based on the claims made in your EOI. It is mandatory to score at least 65 points to be invited to apply for a visa.
Here is a step-by-step guide to how to apply for the 491 visa:
Step 1: Take the skills assessment test from a recognized skills assessment authority
Step 2: Submit the Expression of Interest (EOI) after that
Step 3: Wait for being invited to apply sponsorship
Step 4: Have the sponsorship in place; settled PRs, Australian citizens, or state
Step 5: Apply to DoHa and the state approves sponsorship
Step 6: Apply for the visa within 60 days
491 Visa Australia: Documents Required
For applicants between the age of 18-23
For applicants between the age of 18-23, there is a requirement for the following documents:
- Birth certificate
- Passport
- Evidence for financial dependency
- Adoption papers (case specific)
Applicants above the age of 23, but are still dependent on their parents
Applicants above the age of 23, but are still dependent on their parents because of some physical impairment or cognitive issues.
There is a requirement of the following:
- Birth certificate
- Passport
- Evidence for financial dependency
- Adoption papers (case specific)
- Medical reports addressing the condition of the applicant
Documents associated with your claims on EOI
The following are the documents associated with your claims on EOI that you need to provide:
- Skill Assessment
- Language Assessment
- Australian skilled employment
- Education Qualification (as per Australian standards)
- Specialist education
- Study in regional Australia
- Partner skills
- Work experience in Australia
If you have a sponsor
If you have a sponsor, then your sponsor needs to provide the following:
- Age proof (18 years and above)
- Declaration by your sponsor
- Proof of being an eligible relative
- Permanent residency proof
491 Visa Australia: Cost
The Skilled work Regional visa subclass 491 has an application cost of AUD 4115 (2-3 lakhs)for the primary applicant. For each subsequent entrant of eligible family members, there is a separate cost involved.
Prices involved in the application process are given below
- Primary Applicant - Subclass 491 - 4115 AUD (2-3 lakhs)
- Reliant 18 years and above - Subclass 491 - 2055 AUD (1-2 lakhs)
- Reliant 18 years and below - Subclass 491 - 1030 AUD (55k-60k)
- For each applicant and dependent
- Biometrics - 60 AUD (3k-4k)
- Medical Test - 350 AUD (19k-20k)
- Police Clearance Certificate - Depends
491 Visa Australia: Processing Time
There is no specific time for processing the application of visa 491. But the regional application processes are given more priority.
75% of visa applications are processed in 7 months. 90% of visa application processing is done in 8 months
Processing times can vary due to the following circumstances:
- If your application is complete with all necessary documents
- How fast you respond to requests for additional information
- How much time it takes to get required checks done to verify your supporting information
- How much time it takes to receive additional information from external parties, specifically related to your health, character and national security requirements
Conclusion
The new 491 visas, Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) 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
So, In this article, we have tried to cover everything related to the 491 Visa Australia. We hope you like this article.
FAQ
If you are older than 45 can you apply for the 491 visa?
If you are older than 45 you cannot apply for the 491 visa. Perhaps you could consider the 482 visa or DAMA if you are looking for PR.
Is the 491 permanent?
The 491 visa is a temporary or provisional visa. However, if you work in the area for 3 years you may be able to transition onto the permanent 191 visa
An IIT Delhi IIM Ahmedabad alumni initiative
Alpha Education Abroad is an initiative by IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad alumni. The firm helps students get admitted to top universities overseas in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, and many other countries. It allows students to apply for graduation as well as post-graduation courses abroad. It also helps students get admitted to top 1 year MBA programs such as ISB and IIM Ahmedabad in India.
