Subclass 491 Visa Australia | Eligibility Requirements

The Australian Government offers a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa to skilled workers who want to live and work in regional areas. This visa allows you to live in Australia for almost five years. A 491 visa is temporary but provides a pathway to permanent residency via a 191 visa.

 

So, if you are among those who want to explore the regional Australia, this opportunity is for you.

 

Understand the eligibility criteria, application process, visa cost, and processing time  before applying. It will save you from a lot of trouble. In this blog, you will learn all the key points regarding a 491 visa in Australia.

 

What is a 491 Visa Australia?

A Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa is designed for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia. With this visa, you can stay in Australia for almost 5 years. Moreover, you can travel to and from Australia as often as you want till the validity of the visa.

Here, I’ve discussed some of the most important questions that candidates ask about a 491 visa to Australia.

 

Can I include my family members in my 491 visa application?

Yes, you can include your family in your visa application. You can add them while submitting your application. However, if you have a dependent child, include it after the submission of the application and before the grant of the visa. 

Moreover, ensure the family members who apply for the visa satisfy certain health and character requirements. In case you don’t add your partner or dependent children in your application, provide the reason to the Department of Home Affairs.

 

What is the cost of a 491 visa Australia?

The visa cost of subclass 491 is AUD4,770.00 for the main applicant. Moreover, you will have to pay an extra fee for each family member who applies with you. You can calculate the estimated cost with the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not count additional costs and the second installment.

You may be required to pay an additional fee if a dependent is eighteen years old and has less than fictional English. The Department refers to this fee as the second installment. For family members, the second installment is AUD4,890.00.

 

Can both onshore and offshore candidates apply for subclass 491?

Yes, both onshore and offshore candidates can apply for a 491 visa. However, keep in mind that you must not be in immigration clearance while applying for this visa.

 

Moreover, if you are applying from within Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or

• Bridging A visa (Subclass 010) 
• Bridging B visa (subclass 020)
• Bridging C visa (subclass 030)

Otherwise, your application will not be considered valid.

 

What is the processing time of an Australian 491 visa?

The Department of Home Affairs evaluates your applications on a case-by-case basis, and processing time may differ depending on the following factors:

 

• Volume of the applications being received.
• Completeness of the application.
• Complexity of each case.

 

Use the visa processing time guidance tool to get an idea of how long it will take to process this visa. 

 

Can I get permanent residency with a 491 visa in Australia?

Yes, you can get permanent residency in Australia after spending three years under a 491 visa in the designated regional area. You can apply for a 191 visa that allows you to live and work in Australia permanently.  

 

Remember, you cannot apply for the following visas in the first three years of 491 visa:

• Partner visa (subclass 820)
• Business Talent visa (subclass 132)
• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
• Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188)
• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
• Global Talent visa (subclass 858)

 

What are the Eligibility Requirements of a 491 Visa Australia?

 

 

Eligibility criteria are an important factor that the Department of Home Affairs takes into account while making decisions regarding your application status. So you need to understand whether you are eligible for 491 or not. Otherwise, your application will be rejected and it can further impact your applications lodged in future.

 

Following are the eligibility requirements that you must meet before lodging your visa application:

• Age requirements
• English language proficiency
• Health and character requirements
• Nomination or sponsorship  requirements.
• Positive skills assessment.
• Clear immigration history

 

Age Requirements

• You must be under 45 years of age when you are invited to apply for this visa. 
• However, if you turn 45 after getting the invitation, you can still apply for the visa. 
• Furthermore, if you turn 45 after the submission of your EOI and before getting the invitation, you cannot apply for an Australian 491 visa. 

 

English Language Proficiency

You must be competent in the English language at the time of invitation. Nonetheless, if you have a family member who is 18 years of age or older and is applying for the visa with you:

• They must have functional English.
• They must pay a second instalment.

 

Health and Character Requirements

You and your family members who are applying with you must meet certain health and character requirements. To demonstrate this, you must undergo a medical examination. Moreover, you are also required to show the police clearance certificate. 

 

Invitation to Apply 

You must be invited to apply for this visa. For this purpose, submit an expression of interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.

 

Nomination or Sponsorship

You must be nominated by an Australian state or territory. To do so, you have to submit an EOI and the state will nominate you on the basis of points you score. However, if you mention in your EOI that you will be sponsored by an eligible relative, the Department may invite you to apply for a visa in an invitation round.

 

Skills Assessment

Your occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list (SOL). Moreover, you must have obtained a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation. Keep in mind that your skills assessment is valid only for the 3 years after the date of your invitation. 

 

Points Test

You will receive an indicative points score in SkillSelect upon submitting your EOI, which is determined by the claims you have made.  If you fail to score 65 points, you will not be invited to apply for this visa.

 

Debt to the Australian Government 

If you owe the Australian Government money, you or any family members (even those who do not apply for the visa with you) must have made arrangements to pay it back.

 

Immigration History

The Department of Home Affairs checks your immigration history while making a decision on your application. It means that  if you have had a visa cancelled or refused in the past, you might not be eligible for this visa.

 

So, these are the basic requirements that every candidate must fulfill before submitting their visa application. 

 

Final Thoughts

In this blog, you have gained insights regarding the 491 visa Australia. You got to know about the eligibility criteria, processing time, visa cost, and many other important things. So, what’s next? 

 

It is important to study more about this visa to avoid any trouble. In case you need any help, it is better to consult an immigration lawyer or agent. 

 

You can contact us at The Migration to get customized solution. We understand that each case is unique and needs careful consideration and we do it accordingly. Therefore, schedule an online consultation now and allow us to help you throughout your visa process.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I get PR after a 491 visa in Australia?

You can get PR in Australia via subclass 191 after spending three years under a 491 visa in a designated regional area. 

Do I need IELTS for a 491 visa to Australia?

Yes, you must be fluent in the English language. To demonstrate it, you must appear in English language exams such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, etc. In the case of IELTS, you must score 6.0 to be eligible for a 491 visa.

Can I bring my wife to Australia on a 491 visa?

Yes, you can add your wife to your application via a subsequent entrant stream. This stream allows the primary 491 visa holders to bring their family members to Australia. 

Can I work anywhere in Australia with a 491 visa?

No, you cannot work anywhere in Australia under a 491 visa. You must live in the designated regional area, particularly during the first three years.