Subclass 491 visa – Unlock PR visa opportunities in Australia

Subclass 491 visa – Unlock PR visa opportunities in Australia

The Subclass 491 visa replaces the 489 visa on 16 November 2019 to enable skilled foreign workers and their families to live and work in a designated area of Australia for five years. Visa beneficiaries become eligible to apply for permanent residence after three years of living in a regional area.

So, what is the 491 visa and its eligibility and process? Keep reading this article to know everything about Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).

What is a skilled worker regional visa?

Subclass 491 is a state-nominated provisional visa for skilled migrants that allows you to live and work in a specific regional area for five years. It comes under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) category and is a temporary visa that leads to permanent residency status in Australia.

Subclass 491 follows a points-tested system, wherein an applicant must score a minimum of 65 points to receive an invitation to apply. Applicants applying for the subclass 491 visa must be nominated by:

• An Australian state or territory government agency or
• Sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area of Australia
• You must also be invited for this visa following the submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.

 

Moreover, your occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list before applying for this visa.

What are the benefits of a subclass 491 visa?

• The subclass 491 visa entitles visa holders, and their families to live, work and study in one of the designated regional areas of Australia.
• It also provides you access to Medicare (National healthcare scheme).
• Stay in regional Australia for five years
• Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want until the validity of your visa
• Apply for an Australia PR visa after three years.
• Include your family members in the application

 

491 visa is different from the subclass 190 visa in the sense that the latter allows you to move to Australia as a permanent resident while the former is a temporary visa that may lead to permanent residency after three years.

Who is eligible to apply for subclass 491 visa?

• be nominated to apply by an Australian state or territory government agency, or an eligible relative must sponsor you
• have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
• have a suitable skills assessment for nominated the occupation
• be invited to apply by the Australian Government
• satisfy the points test
• Have competent English or higher (6 minimum in IELTS)
• be in the age group of 18 to 45 years
• meet health and character requirements

How can apply for PR in Australia after a 491 visa?

As mentioned above, subclass 491 leads to permanent residency in Australia after three years of residing in a designated area. You can apply for a PR visa in Australia via the skilled regional 191 visa and meet other basic eligibility requirements.

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