Subclass 491
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa - Main applicant
What is a Subclass 491?
Definition
This visa is for skilled people nominated by a state or territory government, or sponsored by eligible relatives to live and work in regional Australia.
Rights
- Live, work and study in a designated regional area of Australia for 5 years;
- Apply for permanent residence after 3 years if eligible;
- Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want, while the visa is valid
To apply for this visa, you must:
- be nominated by a State or territory government agency;
- be invited to apply;
- have a suitable skills assessment: on the list of eligible Skilled Occupations;
- be aged under 45 when you are invited to apply for the visa;
- be able to score 65 points or more; calculate your points here: https://skilldirect.com.au/points-test/;
- meet at least the Competent English level (main applicant).
Let’s go through the whole process one step at a time
Step 1: Before your visa application
Before applying the subclass 491 visa, there are 3 steps you should take:
– First, you need to get Skills Assessment (SA). Check the Skilled Occupation list and identify the ANZSCO code of your occupation.
– Then, check its assessing authority, contact them to submit a SA application. The standards of SA include qualifications and working experience.
– Additionally, check the specific criteria of the state or territory government agency where you want to apply, as each has their own nomination process and requirements.
Step 2: Submit an EOI - Receive sponsorship
– Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to let the government know you are interested in applying for a visa; and
– Receive nomination from State or territory government agency by being invited to apply for state sponsorship; or
– Advise in your EOI if you will be sponsored by an eligible relative.
Step 3: Wait for invitation to apply for visa and gather documents
– You must gather and prepare supporting documents to prove your claims in the EOI and meet the visa criteria.
Step 4: Apply for visa
– When receiving the invitation, you have 60 days to apply for the visa, either in or from outside Australia.
– If your visa is approved, you will receive your visa grant number, start date, and relevant conditions.
SUPPORT WITH YOUR SKILL ASSESSMENT AND APPLICATION PROCESS
As a migration firm based in Melbourne, Australia and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, we deliver international service quality with local experience tailored to each client profile. We would be delighted to help you with any immigration-related needs that you may have.