Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

The 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is a temporary visa of 5 years that permits skilled migrants to work, study and live in designated regional Australia. This acts as a transition visa where the recipient is eligible to apply for permanent residency after 3 years. Another added advantage to the visa is the shorter processing times that extend from 6 months to 14 months. And the flexibility to add members of the family unit including dependent children.

The 491 visa applicant must be nominated or sponsored in order to be granted subclass 491 in Australia. Once the Expression of Interest (EOI) has been submitted in SkillSelect, and if the applicant is capable of scoring higher points, then state or territory government agencies can nominate the applicant for the visa. The applicant may also indicate in their Expression of Interest about sponsorship if the sponsor is an eligible relative living in a designated regional area of Australia.

Eligibility requirements for (Subclass 491) Skilled Work Regional Visa

To be eligible for the 491 Australian Skilled Work Regional Visa:

• The applicant must be invited to apply. This can be done by submitting an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect

• Must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or sponsored by a relative living in a designated regional area.

• Have a sponsor or be nominated

• Have their skills assessed by the suitable body

• As this is a points-based visa the applicant must be able to score a minimum of 65 points

• Satisfy English requirements

• The applicant must also be working in an occupation that is on the list

• satisfy health requirements

• satisfy character requirements

• repay any remaining debts owed by the applicant or any family member, to the Australian Government

• must not have a previous application refused or a previous visa canceled