Australia’s 491 Visa Explained: What You Need to Know

Many types of visas allow the applicants to live, study, or work. The visa subclass 491 is one of those visas that allows skilled workers to live, study, and work in Australia. Every visa needs proper paperwork before traveling to a foreign country, especially for employment. This article will help you know more about visa 491 and how to get a working visa so that you can prepare for your procedure. 

Know more about Visa 491

The visa subclass 491 allows skilled workers and their family members to live, study, and work in the regionally designated area of Australia for a maximum period of five years. As applicants hold a visa for three years, they are allowed to apply for permanent residency. But it is necessary to be nominated by the state and territory of Australia. They can sponsor family members who live in the geographical area of Australia. 

Requirements for Visa 491

To become eligible for the visa subclass 491, you have to fulfill the 491 visa Australia requirements:

• Nomination and sponsor: applicant should be nominated by state or Australian territory. They can be sponsored by qualified family members who live in regional geographical areas.
• Occupation: applicants should opt for a job that is on the 491 occupation list.
• Assessment: The applicant should have done a skilled assessment for your nominated occupations. 
• English language—an English language test should have been done.
• English score: 491 visa points for English score should be 65 on the point test.
• EOI (expression of interest): applicant should submit EOI and get invited to apply.
• Health and character certificate: applicant should meet the health and character requirements of Australia. 
• Intentions: applicants should have real intentions to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia. 

Fee structure for visa 491

The 491 visa fee structure is AUD 4,115. An additional payment of AUD 4,890 is for the family members who have not met the language requirements for Australia. 

Allocation for points on visa 491

Under general skill migration, the evaluation is done under the 491 visa points test. The assessment will include applicants age, education background, and work experience both in Australia and other countries. Recently, the allocation has gone through some changes, which want the applicants to gain some extra points under the category mentioned.

Accumulate 15 points in state or territory government 

Accumulate 10 points in having a skilled spouse.

Attain 10 points if without a partner.

Add 5 points if your partner has good English apart from being an Australian resident. 

Eligibility for NSW Visa 491

For the 491 visa NSW nomination, consider the eligibility criteria. 

• Applicants should meet all the visa conditions for subclass 491.
• Applicants should have a valid skill assessment in their occupation list.
• Applicant should be resident for three years in NSW.

Processing time for visa 491

The 491 visa processing time can be between 11 months and 14 months. It also depends on the applicants who provide the detailed material. It may also vary from one another if there is any error or delay in submitting documents. And the Department of Australia determines how long it has to be taken.

How to take PR from 491 visa Australia 

Applicant to get permanent residency after holding visa 491 Australia they need to meet certain requirements before applying for skilled regional visa:

• Eligible: applicant should hold visa 491 for three years.
• Income: The applicant should show the three-year taxable income.
• Resident: The applicant should work or live for three years in a designated regional area.
• Application: The application should be submitted for 191 visas.

Occupation for visa 491

Here is the occupation list for the visa 491:

Construction project manager

Engineering manager 

Child care center

Nursing director

Primary health manager

Welfare center manager 

Art administrator 

Environmental manager 

Dancer or choreographer 

Music director 

Musician

Artist director

Accountant 

Management accountant 

Taxation accountant 

External auditor 

Internal auditor 

Actuary

Economist

Statistician

Read More: Australia Tourist Visa Processing Time

Conclusion 

Applicants should properly do all the work to get the subclass visa 491. With the help of this visa, the applicant can live and work in Australia for a maximum of five years. If the applicant is qualified, they can also apply for subclass visa 191 for permanent residency. All the regulations of the territory must be followed by the applicant and their family members. There are the best migration agents in Adelaide who can help in getting visas. The migration services in Adelaide will fulfill your dreams of Australia. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

 How long does it take to get an invitation?

The time taken can vary from one another. Generally, the time taken can be from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the factors.

What to do after separation from a partner in visa 491?

You must inform the Department of Home Affairs that your relationship status has changed. This might affect your visa conditions, especially if it is based on your partner.

Can we add a newborn child to visa 491?

Applicants should provide the birth certificate and passport of the newborn. And inform it to the Department of Home Affairs. Form No. 1436 should be completed. Make sure that baby goes through the health conditions and reports to be submitted to the department.