Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494) is a provisional residency visa available to skilled workers outside of Australia, and those already living and working in Australia. To be eligible for this visa, you must be skilled in an occupation on the Regional Occupation List and be nominated by an employer in a Designated Regional Area.
Skilled workers with an occupation on the Regional Occupation List can apply for this visa once they have an employer nomination. You must have a substantive visa or a bridging visa A, B or C to make a valid application within Australia.
Once a 494 visa is granted, providing you remain in the nominated employment within the designated regional area, they can stay in Australia for up to 5 years, with a permanent residency pathway available after 3 years. Dependent family members may be included and must also live, work and study in the designated regional area.
Qualifying for a subclass 494 visa
To be eligible for a 494 visa, primary applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be between the ages of 18 and 44
- Have Competent English or higher, and their dependent family members over 18 years of age have at least Functional English
- Completed a skill assessment in the nominated occupation
- Employed in the nominated occupation for at least 3 years on a full-time basis and at the appropriate skill level
- Meet health and character requirements
Qualifying for a subclass 494 visa
You must be nominated by an Australian employer whose is operating in a designated regional area of Australia. The employer must be an approved sponsor or have at least lodged an application to become a standard business sponsor.
Obtaining a subclass 494 visa is a 3 stage process:
- Sponsorship: The employer must be or have applied for approval of sponsorship.
- Nomination:The employer must lodge a nomination that specifies the details of the position and identifies the nominee.
- Visa Application:The applicant applies for Subclass 494 visa under a relevant stream.
Moving from a provisional visa to a permanent visa
The 494 visa provides a pathway to apply for permanent residence in Australia. To apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) you must have held an eligible visa (491 or 494) for at least 3 years, have had a taxable income at or above the income threshold ($53,900/year) for at least 3 years, and all applicants must have complied with the conditions of their visa.
Permanent residency will enable you to work and study in Australia, enrol in the public healthcare system, sponsor your relatives to come to Australia, and, if eligible, apply for Australian citizenship.
Processing Time
6-9 months
Australian Government Visa Fees
AUD$ 4,640.00 Main visa applicant
AUD$ 2,320.00 Partner included in application
AUD$ 1,160.00 Per child under 18 included in the application
Visa Go Australia Fees
Total fee to process a Skilled Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) is £1,800.00
Our fee is paid in 3 stages as we complete the work on your visa application
£600.00 Deposit
£600.00 Due when Skills Assessment is Lodged
£600.00 Due when EOI is Lodged
Visa Go Australia Processing Service
Visa Go Australia offer a comprehensive processing service to all their clients. A designated experienced Case Processor is allocated to undertake the necessary steps in preparing and lodging each application. They are available to advise and support clients throughout the whole process and their knowledge and expertise is supported by a Registered Migration Agent (MARA 0211214).
