Also known as the Skilled Work Regional visa, the 491 visa is designed as a provisional visa to help skilled workers live and work in Australia. Naturally, the government in Australia tries to promote domestic workers and hire talented Australians. However, this isn’t always possible, and skills shortages sometimes exist. With this in mind, skilled workers can often get a visa so long as they meet certain eligibility requirements.
Basics of the 491 Visa
As a provisional visa, the 491 visa is open to skilled workers who want to work and live in Australia for up to five years. Normally, the recipient of the visa can work, live, and study in a specific area of the country for the duration of the visa. Rather than the restrictions of short-term visas, applicants can leave and return to Australia as much as they want during the visa.
Three years after the visa is granted, recipients can apply for permanent residency. In total, the application costs a little over $4,000 and the process can take some time. According to the Department of Home Affairs, only 25% of applications are completed within 79 days. On the other hand, it takes seven months to get through half of all applications and 18 months to get through 90% of all applications. With this in mind, skilled workers can often get a visa so long as they meet certain eligibility requirements.
Since this process can lead to confusion, get in touch with a leading service like Australian Skilled Migration for help. This service will ensure that you’re applying for the right visa and that you don’t make any mistakes that could delay the application. With this in mind, skilled workers can often get a visa so long as they meet certain eligibility requirements.
Eligibility
Are you eligible for this visa? This is an important question, and it starts with a nomination. If you don’t have an eligible relative, you must get sponsored by a territory or state government. Not only this, but your occupation also needs to be present on a skilled occupation list. During the application, you may also need to prove that you have suitable skills to work in this occupation.
Eligibility also includes two more steps:
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You need to receive an invitation to apply (you cannot just apply yourself)
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You need to pass the points test
What is the points test? Essentially, the points test is a system wherever you earn points for each part of your application – this includes your age, English language skills, skilled employment experience, educational history, and various other factors. To satisfy the points test, you need to earn at least 65 points. However, this can change depending on the number of applicants and candidates.
As a basic example, you can get 25 points for being between the ages of 18 to 25. Meanwhile, at least eight years of experience in the field earn 15 points while between three and five years of experience earn 5 points. Nonetheless, this isn’t generally imaginable, and abilities deficiencies in some cases exist. In light of this, gifted specialists can frequently get a visa insofar as they meet specific qualification necessities.
Subsequent Entrant
The 491 subclass of visa in Australia also covers subsequent entrants. For example, this includes immediate family members of those with a 491 main visa. This subsequent entrant visa is normally processed much faster, and it allows family members to also live in Australia with visa holders. Rather than extending beyond the original applicant’s visa, subsequent entrants will see their visa expire alongside their family member’s visa.
As you can see, visas can offer some complex scenarios. If you want tailored advice, remember to talk to a professional. They can consider your circumstances, provide personalised advice, and ensure that you and your family members get the right visa for your future in Australia. Good luck!
