September 28th, 2024 at 01:38 am

Eligibility Requirements of Subclass 491 Visa Australia | Complete Guide

The Australian government provides a qualified Work Regional (Provisional) visa to qualified individuals who wish to live and work in regional areas. This visa allows you to stay in Australia for nearly five years. A 491 visa is transitory but can lead to permanent residency with a 191 visa.

So, if you’re looking to discover regional Australia, this is your opportunity.

Before applying, make sure you understand the eligibility requirements, application process, visa costs, and processing times. It will keep you out of a lot of problems. In this blog, you will learn more about the 491 visa in Australia.

What is the 491 Visa Australia?

A Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa is intended for skilled workers seeking to live and work in regional Australia. This visa allows you to stay in Australia for roughly five years. Furthermore, you can travel to and from Australia as often as you want as long as your visa is valid.

I’ve covered some of the most common queries that candidates have concerning a 491 visa to Australia.

Including family members on my 491 visa application

You can include your family in your visa application. You can add them when you submit your application. However, if you have a dependent child, mention it after the application is submitted and before the visa is granted.

Furthermore, check that the family members applying for the visa meet specific health and character requirements. If you do not include your partner or dependent children in your application, explain why to the Department of Home Affairs.

Cost of a 491 visa in Australia

Subclass 491 visas cost AUD4,770.00 for the primary applicant. Furthermore, you will have to pay an additional charge for each family member that applies to you. The Visa Pricing Estimator allows you to calculate the expected cost. The estimator does not include additional charges or the second installment.

If a dependent is eighteen years old and speaks less than fictional English, you may be charged an extra cost. The Department refers to this cost as the second installment. Family members will get a second installment of AUD4,890.00.

Can onshore and offshore candidates apply for Subclass 491?

Yes, both onshore and offshore candidates may apply for the 491 visa. However, keep in mind that you cannot be in immigration clearance when applying for this visa.

Furthermore, if you are applying from within Australia, you must have a substantive visa.

• Bridging A Visa (Subclass 010)
• Bridging B Visa (Subclass 020)
• Bridging C Visa (Subclass 030)
• Otherwise, your application will be considered invalid.

Processing time for an Australian 491 visa

The Department of Home Affairs assesses your applications on an individual basis, and processing time may vary depending on the following factors:

• The volume of applications received.
• Completeness of the application.
• The complexity of each situation.

Use the visa processing time guide tool to estimate how long it will take to process this visa.

Can a 491 visa lead to permanent residency in Australia?

Yes, you can obtain permanent residency in Australia after three years on a 491 visa in a selected regional area. You can apply for a 191 visa, which lets you stay and work in Australia permanently.

Remember, you cannot apply for the following visas within the first three years of your 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)

Eligibility Requirements for a 491 Visa Australia

Eligibility criteria are a crucial component that the Department of Home Affairs considers when making decisions about your application status. So you need to know if you are eligible for 491 or not. Otherwise, your application will be rejected, which could have an impact on future applications.

The following are the eligibility standards that you must meet before filing your visa application.

• Age requirements:
• English Language Proficiency
• Health and character needs.
• Nomination or sponsorship criteria.
• A positive rating of skills.
• Clear immigrant history.

Age requirements

You must be under 45 years old when you are invited to apply for this visa. However, if you turn 45 after receiving the invitation, you may still apply for the visa. Furthermore, if you turn 45 after submitting your EOI but before receiving the invitation, you cannot apply for an Australian 491 visa.

English Language Proficiency

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

• They must be able to communicate effectively in English.
• They must pay the second installment.

Health and Character Requirements

You and any family members who apply with you must meet specific health and character requirements. To establish this, you must get a medical exam. In addition, you must produce your police clearance certificate.

Invitation to Apply

You must have been invited to apply for this visa. To accomplish this, submit an expression of interest (EOI) through SkillSelect.

Nomination or Sponsorship

You must have been nominated by an Australian state or territory. To do so, file an EOI, and the state will designate you based on the points you earn. However, if you state in your EOI that you will be sponsored by an eligible relative, the Department may ask you to apply for a visa during an invitation period.

Evaluating Skills

Your occupation must be on the applicable skilled occupation list (SOL). Furthermore, you must have received a favourable skill assessment for your specified occupation. Keep in mind that your skills assessment is only valid for three years following the date of your invitation.

Points Test.

After submitting your EOI, you will obtain an indicative points score in SkillSelect based on the claims you made. If you do not obtain 65 points, you will not be invited to apply for the visa.

Debt to the Australian government.

If you owe the Australian Government money, you or any family members (including those who did not apply for the visa with you) must have made preparations to repay it.

The Department of Home Affairs considers your immigration background while deciding on your application. This means that if you have previously had a visa revoked or refused, you may be ineligible for this visa.

So, these are the basic standards that all candidates must meet before filing a visa application.

Final Thoughts

In this blog, you learn about the 491 visa in Australia. You learned about the qualifying requirements, processing time, visa cost, and many other vital details.

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