Australia reveals details about the new Regional Visas

Australia is gearing up to launch two new Regional Visas in November this year. The Subclass 491 and Subclass 494 Visas will become effective from 16th November 2019.

 

The Subclass 489 and Subclass 187 Visas will no longer be available in Australia. They will be replaced by the Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional ) and Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional) Visas respectively.

 

Both Subclass 491 and 494 require visa holders to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia for at least 3 years. Both these Regional Visas have a provision for PR once the mandatory stay period is completed.

 

The validity of the Subclass 491 Visa is 5 years. Skilled overseas workers and their families can apply under the same to live and work in designated regional areas in Australia.

 

The Subclass 491 Visa will follow a points-based system and applicants must be sponsored by a territory or state in Australia. Applicants can also be sponsored by eligible family members living in regional areas of Australia.

 

What are the main features of the Subclass 491 Visa?

1. There will be 14,000 visa places available every year
2. Applicants can nominate more than 500 eligible occupations
3. You have to be under 45 years to apply
4. The visa will be valid for 5 years
5. It is mandatory to live and work in a regional area of Australia for at least 3 years to qualify for PR
6. Your minimum income per year should be at least $53,900. Concessions may apply if you have applied under DAMA.
7. Visa holders are allowed to move from one regional area to another
8. Eligible visa holders can apply for a PR after 3 years under the Subclass 191 Visa which will be available from 22nd November 2022
9. The cost of the visa is $4,045 for the primary applicant and $2,025 for the partner

How is the Subclass 491 Visa different from the Subclass 489 Visa?

 

Subclass 489 Visa holders can Apply for Australia PR after completing two years of stay in a regional area. The mandatory stay period for the Subclass 491 Visa is 3 years.

 

There are more regional areas covered under the Subclass 491 Visa than the Subclass 489 Visa.

 

How will the points system work for the new Subclass 491 Visa?

 

Applicants will be awarded points as below:

• You can get 10 points for a skilled spouse or partner. You could only claim 5 points under the Subclass 489 Visa.
• You get 5 points if your spouse or partner has competent English. No points are available under the Subclass 489 Visa.
• Single applicants can claim 10 points. No such provision is available under the Subclass 489 Visa.
• For nomination from a state or territory in Australia, you can claim 15 points. 10 points were given under the Subclass 489 Visa.
• For sponsorship by an eligible family member, you can claim 15 points. You could only get 10 points under the Subclass 489 Visa.
• Having certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) qualification can earn you 10 points. No such provision under the Subclass 489 Visa.

Y-Axis offers a wide range of visa and immigration services as well as products to overseas immigrants including Australia Evaluation, Visit Visa for Australia, Study Visa for Australia, Work Visa for Australia and Business Visa for Australia.

 

If you are looking to Study, Work in Australia, Visit, Invest or Migrate to Australia, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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