The subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa is designed for skilled workers who want to live, work, and study in regional areas of Australia. This provisional visa allows successful applicants to stay in Australia for up to 5 years, with the opportunity to transition to permanent residency after meeting specific criteria. By holding this visa, individuals can gain valuable work experience in regional areas and, after 3 years, may apply for permanent residency.

To be eligible for the Subclass 491 visa, applicants must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member who lives in a regional area. Additionally, applicants must have an occupation listed on the relevant skilled occupation list and meet the points test, which assesses factors like age, education, work experience, English language ability, and other qualifications. A positive skills assessment for the nominated
occupation is also required.

To apply for the Subclass 491 visa, applicants must first ensure that their occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list and obtain a positive skills assessment. Following this, they may receive an invitation to apply from a state or territory government or through family sponsorship. After receiving the invitation, the applicant must submit their visa application along with required documents such as a skills assessment, proof of English language proficiency, health and character checks, and sponsorship details. Once granted, the applicant can live, work, and study in regional Australia for the duration of the visa.

The cost of applying for a partner visa starts from AUD 4770.00