How does the Subclass 491 visa work?
In order to qualify for this visa, the applicants must score at least 65 points on a Points Test and be either nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible relative in regional Australia.
As part of the process the applicants need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect portal and indicate what state/territory they want to seek nomination from or if they have an eligible relative in regional Australia as a sponsor. Some states require submission of a separate application for state nomination in addition to the EOI, where others want you to indicate that you are seeking their nomination in your EOI and they will then invite you to apply for it should you be successful.
Once the nomination or sponsorship is approved, the applicant will be issued with an Invitation to Apply for this visa by the Department of Home Affairs and will be required to submit the visa application within sixty days.
Once Sc 491 visa is approved, the principal visa holder and migrating family members will need to enter Australia by a specified date to validate their visas.
Do I need a Registered Migration Agent to help?
Because attaining the set level of points is dependent on so many factors, it is essential to have your eligibility assessed by a registered migration agent to ensure you will meet Australia immigration requirements and avoid costly disappointment.
What is the process to apply for a Sc 491 visa?
State/Territory Nominated stream
In order to be eligible for this visa under State/Territory Nominated stream, the applicants must:
- nominate an occupation from either the Medium- and Long-Term Strategic Skills List or Short-Term Skilled Occupations List or Regional Occupation List. Additionally, the nominated occupation must be included in the State Occupations List of the state/territory the nomination is sought from
- secure a positive skill assessment in the nominated occupation
- achieve minimum competent level of English through a recognised English test
- score at least 65 points in the Expression of Interest
- have approved nomination from one of the Australian states/territories (it's possible to seek nomination from more than one state/territory, provided your occupation is included in the respective State Occupations List and you meet the criteria) and an Invitation to Apply from the Department of Home Affairs
Eligible Relative Sponsorship stream
In order to be eligible for this visa under Eligible Relative Sponsorship stream, the applicants must:
- have an eligible relative residing in regional Australia who is willing to sponsor them
- nominate an occupation from the Medium- and Long-Term Strategic Skills List
- secure a positive skill assessment in the nominated occupation
- achieve minimum competent level of English through a recognised English test
- score at least 65 points in the Expression of Interest
- have the Expression of Interest selected by the Department of Home Affairs of Australia.
Your sponsoring relative must be:
- 18 years old or older
- be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen usually resident in regional Australia
- be your eligible relative (or your partner's eligible relative if your partner is also included in your visa application), such as:
- a parent
- a child or step-child
- a brother, sister, adoptive brother, adoptive sister, step-brother or step-sister
- an aunt, uncle, adoptive aunt, adoptive uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle
- a nephew, niece, adoptive nephew, adoptive niece, step-nephew or step-niece
- a grandparent, or
- a first cousin
The Department of Home Affairs must approve your sponsorship before you can be granted a visa.
Typical process timeline
This is the process we follow for most of our offshore clients.
- Mar 30, 2020
- Mar 30, 2020
- Mar 30, 2020
- Mar 30, 2020
- Mar 30, 2020
Not sure what visa is right for you?
Take our online eligibility assessment or get in touch with our team!