Australia’s 491 VISA- Check the Eligibility Requirements

491 VISA in Australia

Regional skilled VISA subclass is basically a provincial point tested VISA that allows skilled migrants to work, study and live in regional Australia for a period of 5 years.  With this VISA you are sponsored by an Australian State or Territory Government or an eligible family residing in a designated regional area. Here regional areas are defined as any areas excluding Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.  The 491 VISA replaced the 489 VISA and commenced on 16 November 2019. It has an age limit of 45 years and requires a positive skills assessment.

Eligibility streams

In order to be eligible for NSW nomination you must meet all the criteria of any one of the following streams:

• Stream 1– Living and working in regional NSW.
  • Applicant has to have a valid skill assessment for an occupation that is listed on                                                                                                                                                                           stream 1 combined occupation list.
  • Applicant must be living in a designated regional area of NSW for at least the 12 months though 3 months will be considered too.
  • Have been working in the nominated occupation or a closely related occupation in a designated regional area of NSW for the previous 12 months or atleast the previous three months.
• Stream 2– Recently completed study in regional NSW
  • Applicant hold a valid skills assessment for an occupation mentioned on their nominated region’s occupation list.
  • Applicant has completed studying within the previous 24 months from education provider from a designated regional area in NSW while living in a designated regional area of NSW.
  • Applicant’s study meets the Australian study requirements and the qualification obtained from this education is closely related to the nominated occupation.
• Stream 3– Skilled in an occupation required in regional NSW
  • Applicant holds a valid skills assessment for an occupation that is on the nominated region’s occupation list.

If an applicant doesn’t meet the criteria in one of those streams, he will be refused unless otherwise agreed with the NSW treasury.

Common Criteria that needs to be met

In order to be eligible for applying for a 491 VISA applicant would need to meet these criteria no matter through which stream they apply.

1. Need to get a nomination from a region or a relative living in a designated NSW region.
2. English language skills need to be competent.
3. Need to have a positive skills assessment.
4. Need to have a good health and character
5. Need a submission of Express of Interest (EOI).
6. Need to receive an EOI nomination invitation email in response.
7. Applicant’s age have to be less than 45 years. If he turns 45 before being invited to apply, he cannot apply for a 491 VISA.
8. Qualify for at least 65 points on the score table (including 15 of state nomination) under the stream in which the applicant is applying.
9. Don’t owe the Australian government any money.
10. Has no history of refusing VISA or cancellation of VISA before.

Required Documents:

• Identity Documents:
  • Pages of valid passport showing the applicant’s picture, personal details, issue and expiry date.
  • Proof of change of name like marriage documents or other change of name documents.
  • A national identity card if you have one

• Relationship Documents:
  • Marriage certificate, divorce certificate or other relationship documents.
  • Proof of divorce documents, separation documents or statutory documents if applicable.

• Character Document:
  • Police clearance certificate from every country where the applicant has stayed for 12 months or more in the past 10 years since he turned 16.
  • Military service records or discharge papers if the applicant has ever served in the military.
• English Test Result
• Partner’s document:

If the applicant has a partner, provide

• Identity documents and photos
  • Character documents
  • Marriage certificate if applicable
  • Documents about other relationship if applicable
  • Proof that the applicant’s partner has functional English.
• Skill assessment documents:

Provide the assessment outcome letter stating its validity and reference number.

• Other documents regarding claims made in EOI:
  • Proof of all the claims in EOI
• Sponsor Documents:

If the invitation is based on family sponsored stream sc 491, provide

• Sponsorship declaration form
  • Proof of the sponsor being an eligible relative living and working in a designated regional are
  • Proof that sponsor is 18+
  • Proof of sponsor’s permanent residency of Australia or eligible citizenship of New Zealand.
  • Proof of sponsor’s relationship with the applicant.

• Dependents Document:

For every dependent 18 years old or younger applying with the applicant, provide

• Copies of birth certificate or family book showing the names of both parents of the dependents.
  • Copy of adoption papers if applicable.

For dependents who are over 18 (over 18 but not 23 depending on the applicant and his partner or over 18 and over 23 but dependent due to physical or cognitive limitation.) in the VISA application, provide

• Identity documents
  • Evidence of relationship with the applicant
  • Proof of financial dependency
  • Proof (from a qualified medical practitioner) of dependency due to physical or cognitive limitations.