The 494 is a new type of visa introduced by the Australian government. The government introduced this visa in November 2019 to update the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme also known as the 187 visa. The 494 is designed to offer 10,000 skilled individuals applying for an opportunity to work in certain regional areas in Australia.
If you successfully apply for and are granted this visa, you’ll be able to live, work, and travel in and out of Australia as you wish for 5 years. You’ll also be able to apply for permanent residency after 3 years of living and working here and you meet all the eligibility criteria.
Please note that being a provisional visa, you won’t be granted immediate permanent residency by the 494. However, holding this visa qualifies you to apply for subclass 191 skilled regional permanent residency visa 3 years after the award date as mentioned above. Below are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the 494 visa Australia.
Can you be nominated by an employer for a 494 visa?
Yes, you can be nominated by an employer for this visa. However, there are a number of requirements that must be met for this to happen. Here are the eligibility requirements for nomination:
- The employer must be located in an Australian regional area designated for this visa
- The employment opportunity you are being offered must be one listed in the list of relevant occupations.
- The position must be available for at least five years, genuine, and on a full-time basis.
- The Regional Certifying Body (RCB) in that location must approve the employer to nominate you for the visa.
- The salary you are being offered by the employer should be at market rate.
As the applicant, you are required to meet the following criteria to qualify for the 494 visa:
- Must not be older than 45 years
- Must possess the relevant skills accepted under the program
- Must have worked on a full-time basis for at least three years and possess the relevant experience
- Must demonstrate that you can competently communicate in English
How will you qualify for permanent residency with the 494 visa Australia?
You’ll be able to qualify for the subclass 191 residency scheme if you meet the following requirements:
- Must have lived and worked for at least three years in the designated regional area with the 494 visa
- Must prove that you have been earning a yearly salary of at least $53,900 for 3 years in the designated regional area while holding the 494 visa.
