Australia 476 Visa: Best Alternative in 2024 | Australia Visa Update

A noteworthy development that will have an impact on prospective skilled migrants for the current fiscal year is the announcement made by the Australian Department of Home Affairs that the 476 Skilled Recognized Visa category would terminate on July 1, 2024. Since it was designed to make it simpler for recent engineering graduates from recognized colleges outside of Australia to temporarily settle in Australia, this visa has reached its cap.

In the past, engineers might start their dream of immigrating to Australia by applying for an Australian 476 Visa, which is a simple method to enter the country. However, because of the new immigration policy, is currently subject to limitations. This implies that before July 1, 2024, no applications for 476 visas will be accepted, and those that are will be denied

This blog post will cover the alternative visa for migrants impacted by the 476 Visa shutdown, along with the requirements for eligibility and application procedures.

476 Skilled Recognized Visa

The Skilled Work Regional Visa is an additional visa for skilled migrants that enables them to live, work, or study in specific regions of Australia. Under the 491 Visa category, skilled migrants can stay in Australia for up to five years, and after three years, they can easily apply for permanent residency.

To get Australian permanent residency, holders of Subclass 491 visas may be eligible to apply for the Subclass 191 visa, which grants permanent residency. As such, you may select this visa as an alternative to the 476 visas.

Eligibility Criteria for the 491 Visa

You must verify your eligibility before submitting your application for an Australian visa. To be able to apply for this visa, you need to be under 45, have your Registration of Interest in place, and be willing to live in a designated regional area. These prerequisites are in addition to the need that you speak and write English well, have passed the EOI points test in Skill Select with a minimum score of 65, and have a valid Skills Assessment Certificate.

You must be residing and employed in a regional area of Australia at the time of nomination if you are applying from within the country. Please be aware that the Department of Home Affairs has designated several localities in Melbourne as regional areas.

How do you Apply?

The application process for the Skilled Regional Visa Subclass 491 consists of the following three easy steps:

• You must submit a Registration of Interest to the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
• An application for nomination must be filed after receiving an invitation letter from the Australian governor.
• Apply for the chosen visa with the Australian Department of Home Affairs if your nomination is approved.

You will receive an email from the Australian territory or regional government letting you know how your nomination is progressing. You will not be nominated again if the Department of Home Affairs does not receive your visa application within 60 days, and for the duration of your visa, you must live and work in the designated regional area.

In addition,y you have to promise to keep your contact information current so that you are aware of any updates or new developments.

Next Steps for Affected Applicants

Anyone wanting to use the 476 Visa program to obtain a visa to relocate to Australia as a talented worker should look into alternative options for applying for Australian visas, as it is about to expire. Applicants who were in the process of applying for the 476 Visa, as well as their families, will be impacted by this change.

Comprehensive details can also be obtained via ImmiAccount. Individuals who have not yet received their visas should refer to their emails for guidance on how to request a reimbursement of the visa application fee.

Prospective applicants need to stay up-to-date on the latest immigration laws and visa initiatives to make well-informed decisions about their migrating ambitions. Prospective immigrants must be informed about the latest developments and policy changes regarding Australian visas.

The discontinuation of the 476 Skilled Recognized Graduate Visa program serves as a reminder of how frequently Australian immigration laws change and how important it is to speak with a professional before making immigration plans, as Australia is always updating its immigration laws and procedures.