March 7th, 2024 at 05:51 am

Australia 494 Visa | Eligibility and Application Process

Are you looking for the best Australian visa choice that offers several concessions and relaxations in visa requirements? If so, you’ve come to the correct place. A 494 visa in Australia is an excellent chance for qualified people seeking to work in the country’s rural districts. This visa is intended to help regional firms address the country’s skill and labour shortages by bringing in overseas skilled professionals.

“The 494 visa benefits both employers and employees. Employers can address gaps in their workforce with skilled and experienced employees. Workers, on the other hand, can live and work in such regional areas, which have cheaper costs of living, less traffic, and a stronger sense of community.” Karen Andrews, Minister of Home Affairs (January 17, 2022).

So, if you wish to move to Australia, you should explore this amazing chance. However, understanding the qualifying conditions, application methods, visa processing period, and benefits of a 494 visa in Australia is critical.

Therefore, read this blog article because it provides essential information and insights on the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (Subclass 494). But, before we get into the details, let’s define a 494 visa in Australia.

What is the Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa?

A Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494) is intended for skilled workers who live in Australia or outside of Australia. To be eligible for a 494 visa in Australia, you must have skills and qualifications in the occupation listed on the Regional Occupation List.

With this visa, you can stay in Australia for up to five years and be eligible for permanent residency. Furthermore, you may invite your dependant family members to live in the country in these defined geographical zones for five years.

There are various visa streams for a 494 visa in Australia, each with its unique set of requirements and conditions.

Visa Streams of 494 Visa in Australia

A Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494) is organized into three major streams:

• Employer-Sponsored Stream
• Labour Agreement Stream
• Subsequent Entrant Stream

We’ll go over them in depth to better comprehend.

1. Employer Sponsored Stream (Subclass 494)

This 494 visa stream is meant to address Australia’s regional labour or skills shortages. The regional employer is in charge of locating and supporting qualified workers in the region to boost the local economy. This visa stream allows you to work and study in the nation for up to five years. Furthermore, it gives a pathway to permanent residency after three years of working in the approved occupation in the country.

2. Labour Agreement Stream (Subclass 494).

The Labour Agreement stream of a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa is intended for firms with a labour agreement. When ordinary visas are insufficient to meet market demands, approved firms can sponsor overseas skilled workers through a labour agreement.

This agreement was negotiated by the Department of Home Affairs and the employers. So, if you intend to move to Australia under this visa stream, ensure that the employer and the Commonwealth enter into a labour agreement in accordance with the selected vocation.

3. Subsequent Entrant Stream (Subclass 494).

This visa is meant for family members of Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa holders who wish to meet with the primary SESR visa holder. This visa stream allows you to stay in Australia for up to five years. During your stay, you may study, work, or reside in the nation, as well as leave or exit within the five-year timeframe. To qualify for this visa stream, you must have a family member who has a significant skilled employer-sponsored regional visa in Australia.

Who is eligible for a 494 Visa in Australia?

Before applying for an Australian visa, make sure you understand the eligibility criteria, as each visa category has its unique set of requirements and conditions. You’ve probably figured out that there are various types of 494 visas in Australia, each with its own set of requirements. However, I’ve listed some of the general conditions that you must complete before applying for an Australian visa. Look at them.

• You must be under the age of 45 when applying for a 494 visa in Australia.
• You must be fluent in English at the time of filing your visa application.
• You must meet the skill requirements for the specified occupation and have at least three years of full-time experience in that occupation.
• You should have worked in your specified occupation within the last five years. A continuous period of time is not required. Part-time job could be considered, although DHA does not accept casual labour.
• If you are in Australia and have a bridging or substantive visa A, B, or C, you are exempt
• from the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criteria.
• If you want to apply for a 494 visa in Australia, you must meet certain health and character conditions.

Still confused? Wait a moment!

Consult an immigration specialist to determine whether you are eligible for a 494 visa in Australia or not. You can also contact us at The Migration for tailored assistance based on your age, abilities, certifications, and work experience. We help you choose the appropriate visa for your needs and interests.

How Do I Apply for a 494 Visa in Australia?

The Australian visa application procedure is complex and stressful. As a result, you must understand the fundamental procedures involved in the visa application process. I’ve gone over the most critical procedures when applying for a 494 visa in Australia. Understand these steps and follow the instructions carefully for successful visa application.

Step 1: Organize your documents.

Prepare and organize your paperwork before you apply for an Australian 494 visa. These documents include evidence of your skills assessment, health assessment, character certificate, English language test, and identity documents. Gather all the documents carefully before applying for a 494 visa in Australia.

Keep in mind that providing inaccurate or misleading information will lead to cancellation of your visa application. Provide precise details to prevent visa refusal in Australia.

Step 2: Apply for the visa.

After gathering all necessary and supporting documents, the next step is to apply for a visa. You can apply for a 494 visa in Australia online. Create an account on the official website, enter all the required information, attach your papers, and pay the application price. Remember the Department of Home Affairs will not proceed with your application until you pay the application fee.

Step 3: Things to Do After Application Submission

The Department of Home Affairs will notify you after receiving your visa application. Moreover, you must stay updated as the Department can ask for more information, such as providing the biometrics. In case you change your email address, phone number, or any other important information regarding your application, inform the Department of Home Affairs. Otherwise, the Government will cancel your application.

Processing Time for a 494 Visa in Australia

The processing time for a 494 visa in Australia is different for each case, depending upon various factors. The processing of your visa could take longer if you haven’t completed your visa application correctly. Moreover, if you don’t answer the necessary questions asked by the Department of Home Affairs immediately, the application processing for your visa will be extended.

Major Update About 494 Visa Australia

The Australian Government announced the extension of three years in a 494 visa for those who were affected by COVID-19 restrictions. According to the spokesperson of the Department of Home Affairs,

“We will extend visas for Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa holders if the primary visa holder was outside Australia at any time between February 1, 2020, and December 14, 2021 (inclusive) as the holder of a valid Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa.”

After that, impacted holders of skilled regional (provisional) visas will have time to arrange their travels based on their plans of living and working in regional Australia.

Benefits of an Australian 494 Visa

Subclass 494 visa in Australia offers numerous benefits, which are;

• Reduced Cost for Employers: The subclass 494 nomination requires only one SAF levy stage. On the other hand, subclass 482 to ENS subclass 186 permanent resident pathway consists of two stages.
• Pathway to Permanent Residency: A skilled employer-sponsored Regional visa (Subclass 494) provides a direct route to permanent residence in Australia without acquiring the second nomination stage. For this purpose, you have to apply for a subclass 191 visa.

ALSO, READ

• FIRSTLY, CANADA WORK VISA 2023: NO LMIA || VISA & ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED
• SECONDLY, BECOME A TEACHER IN CANADA | PERMANENT RESIDENCY | MOVE TO CANADA
• THIRDLY, LIST OF COUNTRIES WHERE UAE EXPATS CAN GET AN E-VISA
• MOREOVER, CANADA’S FAMILY CLASS AND SPOUSE WORK PERMITS ARE OPEN
• THEN, CANADA OFFERS NEW INVESTMENT PROSPECTS IN IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT SERVICES
• ALSO, CHECK THE NEWLY UNVEILED CANADA’S ‘WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED’ PASSPORT
• MOREOVER, CANADA’S FAMILY CLASS AND SPOUSE WORK PERMITS ARE OPEN
• THEN, CANADA OFFERS NEW INVESTMENT PROSPECTS IN IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT SERVICES
• ALSO, CHECK THE NEWLY UNVEILED CANADA’S ‘WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED’ PASSPORT
• FINALLY, THE BEST AND WORST COUNTRIES FOR SCHENGEN VISAS FOR TRAVELLERS REVEAL