Are you a skilled worker? Then you must have thought about how you can achieve growth and a successful career in a foreign country like Australia. If you are thinking of being successful, a NSW 491 visa might just be your key to unlocking that door to a world of opportunities.
Subclass 491 allows international skilled people across the world to live, work, and study in designated regional areas for a generous span of 5 years. Australian immigration can play an important role in your professional journey. In this blog, we’ll break down the pathways and guide you through the essentials of the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa subclass 491.
What is a NSW 491 visa?
The Australian government has introduced the New South Wales (NSW) nomination for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) to entice skilled migrants from all over the world to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of NSW for a period of five years.
It aims to address regional skill shortages and promote economic growth in New South Wales. However, it is a provisional visa, meaning it’s temporary, but this visa can be one of the pathways to permanent residency in Australia. The NSW Government has the authority to nominate eligible skilled applicants who commit to working in critical sectors within regional New South Wales.
Basic Eligibility:
| Eligibility Aspect | Details |
| Visa Eligibility |
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| Skills Assessment |
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| Residency |
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Recent Updates About Pathways For the NSW 491 VISA:
The Australian government has announced two different pathways for obtaining NSW nominations for this visa stream.
Pathway 1:
Individuals can directly apply to Investment NSW if they have a well-established work history with a regional NSW-based employer.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must have lived and worked in a designated regional area of NSW for the past 12 months.
They should also have inskilled employment in the twelve months with a single regional NSW-based employer in the nominated or closely related occupation, deemed skilled by NSW. They should be getting paid a minimum TSMIT salary level of $70,000 annually.
Key Steps for Pathway 1:
- Check eligibility before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.
- Submit an EOI in SkillSelect, specifically requesting NSW nomination for the subclass 491 visa.
- Apply for NSW nominations through the online application form.
- Wait for the nomination assessment, typically completed within six weeks.
Pathway 2:
Alternatively, applicants can be invited to apply by Investment NSW. However, it is crucial to note that securing a NSW nomination under ‘Pathway 2’ is highly competitive. As a result, potential candidates are strongly encouraged to explore alternative migration pathways and not solely rely on being invited to apply for NSW nominations.
Eligibility Criteria:
You should fulfil the standard eligibility criteria for the 491 visa.
Applicants must confirm meeting the basic New South Wales eligibility criteria.
Key Steps for Pathway 2:
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- Check eligibility before submitting an EOI in SkillSelect.
- Submit an EOI in SkillSelect, specifically requesting NSW nomination for the subclass 491 visa.
- Wait for an invitation to apply during the scheduled invitation rounds.
- Apply to Investment NSW within 14 days of the invitation, providing valid documents to substantiate claims made in the EOI.
- Wait for the nomination assessment, typically completed within six weeks.
Important Information for All Pathways:
EOI Submission:
- EOI must remain valid throughout the assessment period.
- Changes to the EOI are not allowed after applying directly under Pathway 1 or being invited under Pathway 2.
- EOI must be exclusively for the subclass 491 visa, seeking nomination from NSW only.
Nomination Assessment:
- Applications are typically assessed within six weeks after payment.
- Avoid contacting the office for updates during this period.
Additional Recommendations:
- Explore all migration pathways and avoid waiting for an invitation, especially under ‘Pathway 2’, which is highly competitive.
- Promptly respond to invitations, providing necessary documentation within the 14-day window.
Patience is key.
Invitation rounds take place continuously throughout the fiscal year. These rounds do not adhere to predetermined dates and are not pre-announced.
Update About Targeted Sectors:
“Under ‘Pathway 2’ invitation rounds for Subclass 491, NSW will give preference to Expressions of Interest (EOIs) in occupations within our major industry sectors: health, education, ICT, infrastructure, and agriculture.
If you want to get more information, you can check out this video:
How Can The Migration Assist You?
With so many Asians going and settling in Australia through the NSW 491 Visa, the chances of you finding an easy pathway can be pretty hard. But should you give up just because there is a little competition? Of course not.
You do better, and you submit an application that is foolproof. To get a PR visa after you have gotten a 491, we recommend you get in touch with The Migration. It is a registered Australian company. We have a team of experienced, authorized, and considerate team members under the leadership of Nasir Nawaz who will help you submit the best application. Get in touch with the Migration so that you can experience successful application submissions and reduce the chances of rejection.
