Subclass 189 vs. Subclass 491 Visa: Comparing the Two Most Popular Australia PR Streams

Subclass 189 visa and subclass 491 are the two most popular permanent residency pathways that allow foreign nationals to live, work, and study in Australia. Both are part of Australia’s General Skilled Migration Program, which permits individuals to live and work in Australia. You can either live anywhere in Australia or have a state/regionally sponsored visa depending on your visa. You must live in that particular state/region for a specified period before moving elsewhere in the country.

Subclass 189 is a skilled-independent visa that follows a points-based system to select eligible candidates for permanent residency in Australia. As an independent visa, the holders can live and work anywhere in the country without being sponsored by an employer or state/territory government of Australia.

 

The subclass 491 visa is also known as the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa for workers living and working in regional Australia. With this visa, you can:

• ​​​​​​​​​​stay in Australia for five years
• live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia
• travel to and from Australia as many times as you want, while the visa is valid​
• apply for permanent residence after three years from the time your visa is granted​

 

On the contrary, the subclass 189 visa allows you:

• To stay anywhere in Australia
• You don’t need a sponsor or nominator for this visa
• Sponsor eligible family members
• Become an Australian citizen

 

While the Subclass 189 visa is for permanent residency, the Subclass 491 is a transitional visa that allows permanency after three years.

 

Key Features of Subclass 189 and Subclass 491 visa:

 

 

Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa	Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 Visa
The number of invitations granted depends on the slots available for the visa.	The invitations are given as per the state or territory nominations
Grant permanent residency status	Grant provisional residency status
freedom to move anywhere in Australia Medicare benefits Free to work in any occupation Sponsor eligible family members Sponsor parents after two years of residence Only certain professionals can apply.	Candidates must live and work in the sponsoring state No Medicare benefits Free to work in any occupation Sponsor eligible family members Sponsor parents two years after gaining a permanent visa Visa holders must earn a minimum of $53,900 annually

 

Application Fee for Subclass 189 and 491 visa

 

Primary Applicant	AUD 4,115
Additional Adult Applicant (above 18 years)	AUD 2,055
Dependent child above 18 years	AUD 1,030

 

The processing time for the subclass 189 visa can take around eight to nine months. Whereas, the processing of the subclass 491 visa can take approx. 7 to 11 months.

To Conclude

Both Subclass 189 and Subclass 491 visas are ideal in their own ways. Though, the subclass 189 visa is a bit competitive, it is the reward of permanent residency that you get at the end. The regional 491 visas might look easier to get, but it is a transitional visa where you must wait for another three years to apply for PR.

Need to know more? Get in touch with our certified immigration consultants by ringing us at 8595338595 or mail us at web@visaexperts.com