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Introduction: The new skilled work regional 491 visas (Subclass 491 Visa) is a temporary visa that allows all qualified workers to live, pursue school, and work in designated areas of Australia with their families. This visa is good for five years. A qualified family member who is an Australian permanent resident must either state-nominate or sponsor the visa applicant.
This visa allows to:
- Remain five years in Australia
- Occupy a defined Australian regional area for a job, education, or both
- As long as the visa is valid, applicants may make as many trips to and from Australia as they choose.
- Submit an application for permanent residency under the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191), which becomes available on 16 November 2022, if applicants are eligible.
Requirements for family members
This visa is most likely the one used for family-sponsored visas. The visa is a five-year work permit that can be extended to permanent residence. A family member who resides in Australia, such as a parent, brother, aunt, uncle, or other relatives, may be able to sponsor the applicant’s application for a visa to live and work there. The requirements for being a sponsor are given below:
- Must be 18 or older
- Typically residing in a certain Australian region
- Have an appropriate New Zealand passport or be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- A qualified relative of the applicant or his partner.
But before Applicants get an invitation to apply for the visa, applicants must follow these steps.
- A member of the family: Applicants must have a relative that qualifies and who resides in a regional area.
- Assessment of skill: Successfully complete a skill test for a job on the list of applicable occupations (MLTSSL).
- Points test: Send in an expression of interest. At the moment, getting accepted requires between 90 and 95.
- Getting an invitation: Applicants can use their immi account to apply for a visa after receiving an invitation.
Requirements for visa applicant
Applicants are qualified for a 491 visa if they have:
- A favorable skill evaluation for a job on the MLTSSL
- Between the ages of 18 and 45
- IELTS score of at least 6 or possession of a valid passport
- A qualified relative who resides in a specified regional area
- Fulfill the prerequisites for character and health
- Pass the skilled migration points test with at least 65 points.
The criteria for 65 points are:
Age
- Applicants are between the ages of 18 and 25.
- 25 points
- Applicants are in the age range of 25 to 35.
- 30 points
- Applicants are between the ages of 33 and 40.
- 25 points
- Applicants are in their 40s or 45s.
- 15 points
Proficiency in English
- Competent English level.
- 0 points
- Proficient English level.
- 10 points
- Superior English level.
- 20 points
Experience at Work
- Three years of job experience (overseas)
- No points
- Working career spans three to five years (overseas)
- 1 point
- Applicants have 5-8 years of international work experience.
- 10 points
- They have worked in the industry for at least 8 years (overseas)
- 15 marks
- They have worked in this position for a year (in Australia)
- No points
- Three years of job experience (in Australia)
- 1 point
- Their working career spans three to five years (in Australia)
- 10 marks
- They have been working for 5-8 years (in Australia)
- 15 marks
- They have worked in the industry for at least 8 years (in Australia)
- 20 marks
Education Level
- Applicants hold a Ph.D. from an accredited university.
- 20 marks
- Applicants hold a BA from a reputable university.
- 15 marks
- Applicants hold a master’s by Research degree from a reputable university.
- 10 marks
- A degree or a trade certification (An acknowledged institution)
- 10 marks
- A certification or honor for the field of employment
- 10 marks
- With two years of academic study, a doctorate (by an Australian institution)
- 10 marks
- Applicants fulfill the prerequisites for Australian study (Applicants have at least 1 degree, diploma, or trade certificate from an Australian institution that meets the study requirements)
- 1 point
- Applicants spent a year working professionally in Australia.
- 1 point
- Applicants possess a credentialed qualification in a community language.
- 1 point
- Applicants spent at least a year pursuing the degree, diploma, or certificate in a regional area of Australia.
- 5 points
Relationship Status
- The spouse is under 45 years old, speaks English well enough to communicate, possesses the necessary skills, and has been nominated for a position in a trade on the list of skilled occupations.
- 10 points
- Spouse speaks English at a proficient level.
- 5 points
- Applicants are either single or their partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- 10 points
But The trouble with this visa is that there are only a few 491 Family Sponsored visas issued each year, even if applicants have a sponsoring family member who qualifies. The supply cannot keep up with the demand.
Additionally, before applying for the 491 visa, applicants must pass a skill test in a relevant occupation and the visa is points-tested. They presently need to have at least 90 to 95 points to be invited to apply for the visa due to how popular it is.
Candidates who apply for the hand 491 – State Nominated Stream, on the other hand, frequently get an invitation with substantially fewer points.
ESI is here to assist if you wish to live and work in Australia as a skilled immigrant and need professional advice. With ample experience in the field of education and migration consulting, we offer complete solutions to the candidates and support them during the entire procedure.