Australia Subclass 491 Visa 5-Step Process in 2024 | 491 Visa Australia

For eligible immigrants seeking a greater quality of life and an abundance of employment opportunities, Australia continues to be a Top Option. One route for qualified workers is the qualified Work Regional Provisional Visa Subclass 491, often known as the 491 Visa.

As of 2024, for individuals who are ready to live and work in a particular Australian regional area, the 491 Visa remains a popular option. This blog provides a comprehensive overview of the 491 Visa process, including qualifying requirements and the application process, along with a straightforward, five-step application approach.

With a 491 Visa, skilled workers and their families can live, work, and study in certain regional areas of Australia for up to five years. A temporary visa can be utilized to temporarily become a permanent resident in Regional Australia by fulfilling specific requirements while residing under the subclass 191 Visa.

Benefits and Limitations of Subclass 491 Visa

With the Subclass 491 Visa, skilled people in rural areas can now live the Australian Dream. It’s critical to realize that obtaining Australian citizenship through this route is not straightforward. To qualify for permanent residency, you must first meet certain wage requirements and spend three years living in a designated area.

491 Visa Eligibility Criteria

Candidates need to fulfill a few requirements to be eligible for the 491 Visa.

• Nomination or Sponsorship: Applicants must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or sponsored by a qualifying family member who resides in a designated geographic area.
• Skills Assessment: For a profession to be included in the relevant Skilled Occupation List, a positive skills evaluation is necessary. Every occupation has its assessing authority, and applicants must obtain a valid evaluation before applying.
• Expression of Interest (EOI) and points test: Interested parties are requested to use the Skill Select system to submit an EOI, followed by an application for a visa. Furthermore, applicants for the 491 Visa need to have at least 65 points, which are based on a variety of factors such as age, educational background, proficiency in the English language, specialized job experience, and more.
• Candidates must be under 45 at the time of invitation and meet certain requirements, including a minimum level of English competency as demonstrated by a suitable test score.

How to Apply

The application process for the Australia 491 Visa is a straightforward five-step process.

1. Expression of Interest (EOI)

The first step is to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through Skill Select, an online portal that allows state governments and the Department of Home Affairs to review the profiles of potential immigrants. In the EOI, candidates provide details about their credentials, employment experience, and skill set.

2. State or Territory Nomination

Candidates may approach a state or territory administration for nomination after submitting an EOI. Since every state and territory has various standards and dynamic job listings, it’s critical to review the most recent requirements and modify your application accordingly.

3. Invitation to Apply (ITA)

An invitation to apply will be sent to the applicant if the Expression of Interest is approved. Invites are sent out from time to time, and acceptance of one depends on the applicant’s point total and the demand in their profession.

4. Application for Visa

After receiving the invitation, the applicant has 60 days to complete the online visa application process and submit all required paperwork.

5. Visa Decision

The application will be examined upon filing, and processing times may differ. However, candidates can check the progress of their submission.

Life with a 491 Visa

One benefit of the 491 Visa is the freedom to live, work, and study in Regional Australia. Another benefit is the unrestricted travel to and from Australia throughout the validity of the Visa.