Visas

SKILLED WORK REGIONAL (PROVISIONAL) VISA (SUBCLASS 491)

Overview

Skilled work Regional visa – Provisional (Subclass 491) grants a skilled worker to stay and work in some regional areas in Australia for up to five (5) years.

This visa allows the person to:

  • Live in Australia for five (5) years;
  • Work and study in specific region of Australia;
  • Travel in and out of Australia while visa is active;
  • Apply for permanent residence, if qualified, through subclass 191 – which starts on 16 November 2022.

Things to consider when applying for this visa

When applying for this visa, the applicant is advised to read the following:

  • Processing
    • Processing time depends on the situation, but the Cornerstone Migration team will exert best efforts to get it in less than the stated months.
    • Be mindful when filling the application. Avoid errors when inputting data, and always check documents to be included.
    • Pay the correct visa application charges. Application will not be process if the applicant has not paid the costs.
  • Eligibility
    • Should be invited to apply.
    • Be under 45 years of age
    • Have skills assessed by the appropriate Australian skills assessing authority as suitable for nominated occupation (must not be a subclass 485 skills assessment).
    • Since the visa is a points-tested visa, applicant must score at least 65 on the relevant points test.
    • Extensive English Language skills and obtain at least one English language test results.
    • Meet the health and character requirement.

Cost:

Skilled Work Regional visa – Provisional (subclass 494) incurs the following cost:

  • Main Applicant: AUD4,045
  • Family members who are 18 years old and above and have less than functional English: AUD4,890

There are also other payments, not part of the costs mentioned above, for English language tests, health checks, biometrics, and police certificates.