Immigration experts in Australia and NZ

Immigration experts in Australia and NZ

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491 Skilled Work Regional Visa

491 Skilled Work Regional Visa

The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa is a pathway for skilled workers and their families to live and work in regional areas of Australia. This visa aims to address labor shortages and promote economic growth in regional areas by encouraging skilled migrants to settle there.

The 491 visa is part of the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program but is specifically designed to encourage migration to designated regional areas of Australia. It is important to note that this regional focus excludes major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

After holding the 491 visa and satisfying the regional residence requirement, applicants can apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.

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491 Skilled Work Regional Visa

491 Skilled Work Regional Visa

The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa is a pathway for skilled workers and their families to live and work in regional areas of Australia. This visa aims to address labor shortages and promote economic growth in regional areas by encouraging skilled migrants to settle there.

The 491 visa is part of the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program but is specifically designed to encourage migration to designated regional areas of Australia. It is important to note that regional areas exclude major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

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Requirements to apply for a Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

Points-Tested Visa: Applicants for the 491 visa must undergo a points-based assessment, where points are awarded based on factors such as age, English language proficiency, skilled employment, qualifications, and regional nomination.

Conditions:

  • 491 visa holders are required to live, work, and study only in regional areas of Australia.

  • They must reside in a designated regional area for a minimum of three years to be eligible for permanent residency.

  • Visa holders must comply with Australian laws and regulations during their stay.

Duration: The 491 visa is a provisional visa that allows the holder to live and work in a regional area for up to five years.

The 494 visa has the following requirements to apply: 

  • Be nominated or invited to apply by a government agency
  • Be sponsored by an eligible relative
  • Have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
  • Complete an appropriate skills assessment
  • Satisfy the points test
  • Be aged under 45 years
  • Meet the minimum standards of English language proficiency

Types of 491 visas

There are two pathways to access the 491 skilled work visa: 

Main applicant stream

As the principal applicant, you must meet all the eligibility criteria and be nominated or sponsored by an eligible relative or sponsor. Once you receive the 491 visa, your family members can apply via the subsequent entrant stream.

Subsequent entrant stream

If your family member holds a subclass 491 visa, you can apply for the same visa through the subsequent entrant stream. 

Apply for a 491 skilled work regional visa

Step 1

Once you reach out to Absolute Immigration, we set up a discovery call to understand what your needs are and what Visa best suits you.

Step 2

From there, we will send you a Strategy proposal outlining the steps we will take to assist you in getting a Visa for you to sign off on.

Step 3

Now our team leaps into action, following immigration pathways, taking care of the paperwork and helping you through the entire application process.

Take the first step and schedule a call

Call us

You can reach our team via our support lines at 1300 227 658 or +61 3 9827 3721 or schedule a consultation through our Acuity Portal.

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Email us

You can get in touch with the team through our support email: aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. You and your family members can study in designated areas of regional Australia on the 491 skilled worker visa for up to five years. 

No. The 491 visa is provisional, allowing you and your family to live, work, and study in Australia for up to five years. You can also apply for permanent residency three years after receiving your visa. 

The processing time for each application varies. The length of time to receive your visa will depend on individual circumstances. According to the Australian Government, these are the average processing times for the 491 visa: 

    • 25% of applications: 5 Months
    • 50% of applications: 12 Months
    • 75% of applications: 15 Months
    • 90% of applications: 20 Months

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