Visa 491 NSW Basic Eligibility – 3 Nomination Pathways!

The NSW Government has announced a new eligibility criteria for a 491 Visa. If you’re planning to apply for a 491 visa in NSW, make sure you check out the Visa 491 NSW basic eligibility criteria below. The Federal Government is in charge of Australia’s migration program.

 

In Australia, it is responsible for the entire migration program. As part of the responsibility, application decisions are made regarding visa applications as well as the allocation of available places across program streams.

 

States and territories are allowed to nominate a limited number of applicants for Skilled Visas, Business Visas, and Investor visa subclasses under the agreement with the Federal Government. The Skilled Work Regional Visa 491 is the best option for skilled migrants to remain, work and study in designated regional areas. This visa allows them to stay there for 5 years.

 

So, let’s discuss the latest visa 491 NSW basic eligibility and the nomination pathways for you to obtain a 491 Visa.

 

New Pathway for Regional NSW-based Skilled Migrants!

The NSW Government is strengthening support for skilled migrants based in Regional NSW. It will assist them with a new pathway for the nomination of 491 visa. This updated eligibility stream “Working in Regional NSW” recognizes applicants who’re committed to working and staying in regional NSW. Furthermore, it supports businesses that want to recruit skilled migrants into their workforce.

 

3 Nomination Pathways – Visa 491 NSW Basic Eligibility!

The 3 nomination pathways for a Skilled Work Regional Visa 491 are below.

1. Regional NSW-based Direct Pathway
2. Apply directly to an RDA office
3. Be Invited by Investment NSW

 

1. Regional NSW-based Direct Pathway

This pathway requires you to meet some requirements which include:

• Make sure you’re eligible for a 491 Visa on the Home Affairs website
• You must have been doing this for at least 20 hours per week for the last 12 months. You must be currently living in a designated regional area of New South Wales and working in your nominated/closely related occupation.
• Obtain a valid skills assessment in an occupation within a unit group that is eligible for the visa and listed on the NSW Regional Skills List.
• You must earn at least the TSMIT level or $53,900 per year on a full-time basis without superannuation.
• You must provide proof of all points claimed in your SkillSelect EOI, as well as your current residence with your application. Additionally, you must provide a copy of your SkillSelect Expression of Interest.

 

2. Apply directly to an RDA office

In order to apply under this pathway, you must:

• Check Home Affairs’ website to see if you qualify for a Skilled Work Regional 491 Visa.
• Verify that you meet NSW’s eligibility requirements
• Complete your Expression of Interest in SkillSelect and make sure all information is correct
• In your Expression of Interest, you ask for nomination only for the Skilled Nominated visa 491 in NSW
• In your Expression of Interest, you ask for nomination only for the Skilled Nominated visa 491 in NSW
• As part of your application, you must provide proof of all points claimed in your SkillSelect EOI and your current residence. A copy of your SkillSelect Expression of Interest must also be submitted.

 

Regional NSW Study Exemption

Under Pathway 1, you might be exempt from the minimum work experience requirement. For this, you must have completed study in regional NSW most recently in the last 24 months before applying to an RDA office.

 

Your study must also be relevant to the occupation you have chosen or one that is closely related. Additionally, you qualify to claim points for Study in regional Australia as you’ve studied in regional NSW.

 

3. Be Invited by Investment NSW

This pathway requires the following requirements for you:

• Visit the Home Affairs website to ensure you are eligible to apply for this visa.
• You must meet the Visa 491 NSW basic eligibility criteria.
• Complete your Expression of Interest (EOI) and all the information must be accurate
• In your expression of interest, you request nomination only for a 491 Visa and New South Wales.
• In order to apply, you must be invited during an invitation round. Any invitation issued outside of the normal process of an invitation round will not be considered.
• Within 14 days of receiving an invitation, you must apply to Investment NSW
• In your SkillSelect EOI, provide evidence of all points claims and the address you currently reside at.

 

Key Details about Invitation Rounds

Invitation rounds take place continuously during the fiscal year. Rounds are not announced in advance, and there are no set dates. It’s not guaranteed that you’ll be invited to apply for NSW nomination simply because you meet the minimum nomination criteria listed above.

 

Getting an invitation to apply is extremely difficult. Therefore, the NSW Government encourages applicants to research the other migration pathways before waiting for NSW to invite you.

 

Visa 491 NSW Basic Eligibility Criteria!

You must meet the following visa 491 NSW basic eligibility criteria in order to qualify for NSW nomination.

• Visa Requirements
• Skills Requirements
• Residency Requirements
• Points Score and Work Experience

 

Visa Requirements

The Department of Home Affairs has set some requirements for a Skilled Work Regional Visa 491. Make sure you comply with all the conditions of Home Affairs for this visa.

 

Skills Requirements

• You must be skilled in an occupation which is eligible for a Skilled Work Regional Visa 491.
• Your occupation must be listed in ANZSCO unit group identified on the NSW Skilled Work Regional Skills List.

 

Residency Requirements

You must currently be living in NSW or abroad. It must have been at least 3 months since you were living in NSW or offshore.

 

Points Score and Work Experience

For your unit group, it is necessary for you to meet the minimum skilled work experience and points requirements. These will be identified next to the name of your unit group on the NSW Skilled Nominated Skills List. However, these work experience and point score conditions aren’t applicable to the ‘Regional NSW-based direct pathway”.

 

Why Applications are Refused? – Common Reasons!

There’re several reasons that applications get declined. Some of the most common reasons for being declined are:

1. When you claim points for credentialled community language after your qualification has expired. In order to claim these points, your CCL certificate must be valid on the date NSW invites you to apply.

When you claim points for Professional Year while you are not eligible for it. For these points to be awarded, your professional year must be in your nominated (or closely related) occupation.

 

2. The 2^nd reason could be not meeting the residency requirements. The applicant must either currently reside in NSW or be offshore for at least 3 months.

 

3.Over-claimed points for employment

The skills assessment indicates a date on which you were deemed skilled in your occupation. So, you cannot claim points for skilled employment before that date. This policy is applicable to ACS and most VETASSESS assessments.

 

However, if your assessment does not show this date, it’s impossible for you to claim points for skilled employment before completing your qualification.

 

It’s important that you confirm that all the points in your SkillSelect EOI are valid. Further, only eligible skilled employment has been claimed. It’s not possible for you to accept an invitation from NSW if you have claimed points in error. It is not possible to make exceptions for any reason.

 

Key Information about Providing False Documents!

For the purpose of supporting its regional economies and communities, NSW participates in the 491 visa program. Regional NSW shows its support through the settlement of highly skilled migrants committed to long-term living and work.

 

If you provide false or misleading information to NSW in support of your nomination, NSW will take action against you.

 

If there’s any fraudulent activity, the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs or NSW Police will be notified. In some cases, nominations can be withdrawn and/or visas can be revoked as a result.

 

Closing Point – Visa 491 NSW Basic Eligibility!

New eligibility criteria for a 491 Visa have been announced by the NSW Government. Check out the Visa 491 NSW basic eligibility criteria if you plan to apply for a 491 visa in NSW. If you don’t understand the eligibility requirements for a 491 visa, you can book a consultation with us right now!