Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) Family Sponsored

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491)

The 491 family sponsored visa is for skilled people wishing to live and work in regional Australia.

To apply for a 491 family sponsored visa, you must score at least 65 points. Moreover, you need a close family member living in regional Australia to offer sponsorship.

Applying for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491)

You must first submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. This can be done in or outside of Australia.

If you have secured sponsorship from an eligible relative and meet the basic requirements for this visa, you will then receive an Invitation to Apply.

Eligibility:

receive an invitation to apply;
be under 45 years of age when you are invited to apply
nominate an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List or the Short-term Skilled Occupation List
have a positive skills assessment
achieve competent English
have sponsorship from an eligible relative
score at least 65 on the Points Test
meet the health and character requirements.

The 491 Family Sponsored Visa Application Process

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) is based on a 3 stage application process:

Stage 1

The first stage of the application process involves completing a skills assessment with the relevant government body. Your skills assessment enables the Department of Home Affairs to judge if you have the required level of skill in your chosen occupation to work in Australia.

Stage 2

After you have received a positive skills assessment, you will need to submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. This can be done in or outside Australia. You also need to be sponsored by an eligible relative. The relative would be no further distant than a first cousin and living in a designated area of Australia.

Stage 3

Once you have been issued an Invitation to Apply, you can submit your final, complete application to be approved by the Australian Government. Priority processing arrangements apply to this visa, determining the order in which the department considers applications regardless of when they have been lodged.

Moving from a provisional visa to a permanent visa

A successful applicant is given a 5 years multiple entry visa to live and work in a designated regional area of Australia. Most locations of Australia outside major cities (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) are classed as designated areas for migration purposes.

Through a 2 stage visa process, Skilled Nominated (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa holders must live and work in a designated regional area of Australia. Basic eligibility icludes:

Living in regional Australia for at least three years; and
Being employed (including self employed) for at least 3 years in regional Australia; and
Show earnings of at least AUD$ 53,900 for past 3 years in regional Australia ;

Applicants can apply for the following permanent residence visa:

Skilled – Regional (subclass 191)

Processing Time

90% of applications are processed within 6-22 months.

Processing times can vary depending on the quality of your application. Moreover, the number of people applying and visas available can also cause delays.

Australian Government Visa Fees

AUD$ 4,640.00 Main visa applicant
AUD$ 2,320.00 Partner included in application
AUD$ 1,160.00 Per child under 18 included in the application

Visa Go Australia Fees

Total fee to process a Skilled Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) is £2,400.00.

Our fee is paid in 3 stages as we complete the work on your visa application.

Initial deposit – £800.00
Skills assessment lodgement – £800.00
EOI lodgement – £800.00

Visa Go Australia Processing Service

Visa Go Australia offer a comprehensive processing service to all their clients. A designated experienced Case Processor is allocated to undertake the necessary steps in preparing and lodging each application. They are available to advise and support clients throughout the whole process and their knowledge and expertise is supported by a Registered Migration Agent (MARA 0211214).