The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) allows skilled workers to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to five years. This provisional visa also offers a pathway to permanent residency after three years, provided you meet specific criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs. It is an invitation-only visa.
What the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) Offers ?
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is a five-year temporary visa designed to bring skilled workers to Australia's designated regional areas. It offers a clear pathway to permanent residency.
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Main Applicant Benefits:
As the main visa holder, you can:
- Live, Work, and Study in a designated regional area of Australia for the entire five-year validity period.
- Enjoy unrestricted travel, allowing you to enter and leave Australia as many times as you wish while your visa is valid.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: After holding the 491 visa for three years and meeting specific criteria (which generally include demonstrating eligible skilled employment and meeting minimum taxable income thresholds while living and working in a designated regional area), you may be eligible to apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).
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Subsequent Entrant Benefits:
The Subsequent Entrant stream of the 491 visa allows eligible family members to join the main visa holder in Australia.
- Family Unit Inclusion: This visa is for individuals who are a member of the family unit of a primary 491 visa holder. This typically includes a spouse or de facto partner, and dependent children.
- Aligned Visa Validity: The Subsequent Entrant visa is valid for the same duration as the main applicant's 491 visa, ensuring the family unit can stay together.
- Requirements: Subsequent entrants must meet Australia's health and character requirements and prove their relationship to the main visa holder as a "member of a family unit.
491 Visa Eligibility:
To be eligible for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), you generally need:
- Nomination by an Australian state/territory or sponsorship by an eligible relative in a regional area.
- To be under 45 at the time of invitation.
- A suitable skills assessment for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List.
- Competent English (exempt for certain passport holders).
- A minimum of 65 points on the points test in your EOI
- To meet health and character requirements for all applicants aged 16+.
What if You Want to Stay Longer on a 491 Visa?
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) is valid for five years, allowing you to live, work, and study in designated regional areas with no travel restrictions during that period. It serves as a direct pathway to permanent residency. After holding the 491 visa for just three years, you become eligible to apply for a permanent residence visa (the Subclass 191 visa), provided you meet the specific criteria at that time. This essentially allows you to transition from a provisional to a permanent stay in Australia.