Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visas
Introducing new Regional skilled provisional visas for Australia!
These visas commenced November 16, 2019.
- Subclass 491 skilled regional visa
- Subclass 494 sponsored regional visa
Subclass 491 Skilled regional visa: This is a points tested visa. It requires either state nomination, or sponsorship by an eligible family member who is settled in a designated regional area. The age limit for this visa is 45 and you must have a positive skills assessment and other criteria would also need to be met.
Subclass 494 Sponsored visa: has 9,000 places allocated per year. It requires employer sponsorship and the position would need to exist for at least 5 years. It has an age limit of 45, the applicant would need competent English, skilled employment experience of at least 3 years unless exempt, positive skills assessement and other criteria is also needed to make a successful application for this visa.
These visas for valid for 5 years and conditions will be imposed on visa holders (condition 8579) for example where you live, work, study will need to be in specified regional area codes. Visa holders can move between specified regional area codes. Regional areas include: Perth, Adelaide, Goldcoast, Sunshine coast, Geelong, lake macquarie, Newcastle, Hobart and Canberra. Areas excluded are: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Skilled Regional (Permanent) Pathway
The subclass 191 Skilled Regional Permanent visa: As these visa’s are quite new there is also a new pathway for Permanent Residency. The Department will be opening this to new applicants from November 2022. To meet requirements applicants must have held either 491 or 494 for at least 3 years, have complied with the conditions on that visa and have met minimum taxable income requirements.
