Regional Sponsorship - Subclass 491 visa Australia
491 Australia Visa
Australia is emerging as a leading country for international migrants who are looking for a luxury lifestyle and amazing opportunities at workspaces.
Therefore, A Subclass 491 Australia Visa is a tremendous opportunity for skilled workers to work in Australia for 5 years to showcase their talent.
What is A Subclass 491 Visa?
A point-based visa that allows skilled workers and their families to live and work in regional areas of Australia for 5 years is known as a Subclass 491 Visa.
Benefits of A Subclass 491 Visa
Here are some of the key benefits of a 491 Australia Visa:
Discover Regional Opportunities
This Visa enables skilled workers and their families to live and work in designated areas of Australia.
Permanent Residence Visa
One of the top benefits of a 491 Visa is a chance to achieve permanent residency status in Australia. The validity of this visa is 5 years, however after working in regional areas for at least 3 years, one becomes eligible to apply for a Permanent Resident 190 Visa.
Welfare Programs
The subclass 491 Visa grants access to health and welfare programs that provide support during challenging times. One can enjoy the same rights as Australian citizens upon permanent residency.
Healthcare and Education
With a 491 Visa, one will have access to Australia’s world-class health and education system with some Government-subsidized services.
Eligibility Criteria For 491 Visa Australia
To satisfy a 491 Visa, you must meet the following requirements:
Age | You must be under 45 years on age upon receiving an invitation to apply. |
Nomination or Sponsorship | You can receive an invitation either from a sponsor living in Australia already or a nominated by the Government. |
Health | You need to undergo medical examinations to meet the health requirements. |
Character Proof | You must provide proof of no criminal record from your country’s police. |
English Proficiency | The English Language is crucial. Depending on the job type, you might undergo a language like IELTS to showcase your proficiency in English. |
Skill assessment | You must comply with the skill evaluated by the Australian assessing authority. |
Expression of Interest | You must submit an Expression of Interest through the SkillSelect System, which involves assessment and ranking based on your points. |
491 Visa Documents Requirements
The documents for 491 Visa are classified in the following categories:
Major Documents:
- Passport
- Marriage Certificate
- Police Clearance Certificate
- English Language Test
For Applicants with age 18-25:
- Passport
- Financial Dependency Proof
- Birth Certificate
- Adoption Papers (For Specific Cases)
If you are applying through a relative, then your sponsor needs to provide following requirements:
- Age Proof (above 18 years or above)
- Declaration of your sponsor
- Proof of sponsor being your relative
- Permanent Residency Proof
491 Visa Points Requirements
A Subclass 491 Visa operates on a point-based system with a requirement of 65 points on the table for the approval. The overview of these points is:
| Age | Points |
| at least 18 but less than 25 years | 25 |
| at least 25 but less than 33 years | 30 |
| at least 33 but less than 40 years | 25 |
| at least 40 but less than 45 years | 15 |
English Skills
| English Test | Points |
| Competent English | 0 |
| Proficient English | 10 |
| Superior English | 20 |
Overseas skilled employment – (outside Australia)
| Number of years | Points |
| Less than 3 years | 0 |
| At least 3 but less than 5 years | 5 |
| At least 5 but less than 8 years | 10 |
| At least 8 years | 15 |
Australian skilled employment – (in Australia)
| Number of years | Points |
| Less than 1 year | 0 |
| At least 1 but less than 3 years | 5 |
| At least 3 but less than 5 years | 10 |
| At least 5 but less than 8 years | 15 |
| At least 8 years | 20 |
Partner skills
| Requirement | Points |
|
Your spouse or de facto partner must also be an applicant for this visa and meet age, English and skill criteria For you to be eligible for the award of these points your partner must be an applicant for the same visa subclass and must not be an Australian permanent resident or an Australian citizen. Additionally, you will need to provide evidence that when you were invited to apply for this visa they:
|
10 |
Total Cost of 491 Subclass Visa
| Visa Subclass | Base Application Charge | Additional Applicant Charge 18 And Over | Additional Applicant Charge Under 18 |
| Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) | AUD4,640.0 | AUD2,320.0 | AUD1,160.0 |
491 Visa Processing Time
There is no specific time for Visa processing. However, usually it takes 6 to 12 months to get the status of your application.
How to Apply For a Subclass 491 Visa?
The application process for a 491 Australia Visa comprises several steps, which include:
- Check the list of Skilled Occupations and whether your own occupation is there in this tally.
- Get your skills assessed by the relevant authority.
- Check the points system since you need a score of at least 65 points.
- Write your EOI to the Australian Department of Home Affairs via SkillSelect. The latter will analyze your points and thereafter invite you to apply.
- The Home Affairs department will ask for the application after acceptance of the EOI. You will have to provide all documents within a period of 60 days.
- Submit after applying through ImmiAccount and pay the applicable charges within this period.
- After submission of your application, find the email with ImmiAccount login for tracking status.
- After visa approval, an email will arrive with the grant number, starting date, terms and conditions, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Can You Stay With a 491 Visa in Australia?
You can stay in Australia for 5 years. However, you can apply for Permanent Residency after working in regional areas for 3 years.
Who Can Apply for a Skilled Work Regional 491 Visa in Australia?
Applicants who receive a nomination letter from an Australian territory or a sponsor already living in Australia can apply for Subclass 491 Vias.
How to Convert Your Subclass 491 Visa Into a PR Visa Subclass 191?
You can convert your subclass 491 into a PR 191 visa only if:
- Have been working in regional Australia for at least three years.
- Have a full-time work experience of a minimum of one year in Australia.
- Meet the requirements of character and health by the Australian Government.
- Are earning AUD 53900 or more per annum for three consecutive years
How to Get PR After a 491 Visa?
You can get a Permanent Resident Visa after working in South Australia for at least 3 years with Subclass 491, provided you comply with the requirements.
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