If you are considering migrating to Australia, the skilled employer sponsored regional provisional Visa 494 may be your path. This temporary visa allows you to work and live in Australia for two years, after which you can apply to become a permanent resident.
The skilled employer sponsored regional provisional visa 494 has also been called the Skilled Regional Provisional (subclass 494) visa, Skilled Regional Sponsored Provisional (subclass 494) visa, and Skilled Provisional regional Visa, amongst other names.
What is a Skilled Regional Employer Sponsored Visa Subclass 494?
The Australian Government has introduced a new temporary visa category that allows employers in regional Australia to sponsor skilled workers. This Visa is available only in limited circumstances.
The employer must be willing and able to employ an overseas worker for at least two years and be registered with Skill Select as an employer when lodging their nomination.
What are the benefits of a 494 skilled employer sponsored regional provisional visa?
- It gives you the right to live and work in Australia permanently.
- If a job is found for you, it will be in an area that matches your skills and qualifications.
- Your family can come with you to Australia if they are eligible.
- If not you may join them after 3 years of working.
- It allows some time for you & your employer to assess if there is a potential career fit with each other.
- A 4-year visa is given on approval which can be converted into permanent residency after 2 years of employment under subclass 494 visa.
- On successful completion of 2 years of employment under subclass 494 visa, you become eligible for Australian citizenship.
The Qualifications required for 494 skilled regional employer sponsored visas permanent residence
To apply for a 494 employer sponsored visa, you must:
- Have been sponsored by an approved Australian employer.
- Have your skills been assessed and approved per Australia’s national skills assessment framework
- Be nominated by your sponsor, who is also known as a ‘nominating’ or ‘sponsoring’ employer and will be supporting your application for a permanent visa.
- Be under 50 years of age when you apply.
- Meet health and character requirements.
- Live in regional Australia for at least 3 months before applying for a provisional visa.
- If you live overseas, you may still be able to apply if you have lived in regional Australia within 12 months before lodging your application.
- Meet English language requirements for Subclass 494 Visa.
The Eligibility Criteria for Skilled Employer Sponsored Visa 494
To qualify for a 494 visa, you must:
- Hold a skills assessment from an Australian state or territory government that certifies your training and experience meets the ‘outstanding’ level of qualification.
- Obtain an employer nomination by satisfying conditions relating to skill shortage, investment, market testing, and business/job commitment.
- Have at least one year’s work experience in your nominated occupation within five years of applying for a visa. Your career must be on Australia’s skilled occupations list.
- Be under 50 years old when you apply for a 494 visa permanent residence unless you have previously held another skilled migration visa or are sponsored by an eligible family member who is settled in Australia.
The application process of skilled regional employer sponsored visas 494
To apply for a Provisional 494 visa, an employer must submit an application on behalf of a worker for employer sponsored Visa regional. The application must be lodged and approved before access can be granted. The required documents are extensive.
- The applicant must provide evidence that they have at least two years’ work experience in their nominated occupation.
- Evidence that they have sufficient English language skills
- Proof that they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay in Australia.
- A range of other factors will also be considered when assessing applications, including age, qualifications, work experience, and any criminal history.
Other Considerations for Visa 494 Application
While a person may have all their paperwork kept in order, if they have no job offer, there is still a way for them to satisfy Subclass 494. Likely you will be able to find employment criteria. Suppose a person does not have a job offer and can’t prove that they will probably be employed; in that case, their application for Subclass 494 will automatically fail.
Even worse, an applicant would need to apply again under another visa category with fresh supporting documentation and pay another set of fees. This could take months or even years, depending on how long it takes to get through the queue for another visa type.
In reality, many applicants who have been approved under other visas do not end up being granted one because they cannot secure a job offer before their current Visa expires. If you want know more about Skilled Work Regional Provisional Visa 491 then you can collect all the required information by visiting us or contact us at hello@v4migrationservices.com.au.
FAQs Related to Skilled Employer Regional Visa 494
The Subclass 494 Temporary Work visa is specifically for people who have been offered a job in Australia by an employer. This Visa lets people stay in Australia while they are assessed by Immigration. The application is made on behalf of an employer, and you must have a full-time job with approved qualifications. It also requires at least two years of full-time work experience in your field.
There are six points in which a person must obtain and be able to show evidence. These are English language proficiency, educational qualifications, employment experience, employer nomination, age, and health/character requirements.
For most applications, a final decision will be made within 60 days of receiving all relevant information and documentation. However, some cases can take longer due to complexities or where more information is required.
Your employer must be located in a regional area of Australia that has been declared by the Australian Government. This will be listed on your nomination certificate. There are six categories under which a regional sponsored visa may be granted. Still, these visas are generally only available for job seekers who meet either occupation criteria or an existing skills shortage list.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional provisional visa 494 is only available to certain occupations on the Skilled Occupations List, and it is open to both temporary and permanent workers. This visa has two pathways: the Direct Entry Stream and the Temporary Residence Transition Stream. Applicants must have an occupation on the Skilled Occupations List, hold a relevant qualification or at least three years of relevant experience, be nominated by an approved employer, and meet English language, health and character requirements.
To be eligible for Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional provisional visa 494, the applicant must meet several requirements. The applicant must:
- Be invited by an approved Australian employer in a designated regional area.
- Have the skills and qualifications needed for the job offered by the employer.
- Meet the English language proficiency requirement.
- Be under the age of 45 at the time of invitation.
Health and character requirements as outlined in the visa application form. These include providing police clearance certificates and health examinations. By meeting all of these requirements, you may be eligible to apply for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional provisional visa 494.
The total cost of a skilled employer sponsored regional provisional visa 494 application is approximately AUD 6,000 to AUD 8,000. There are additional costs associated with securing your work rights in Australia. This includes paying for an occupational English language test or completing a skills assessment if required. Depending on the profession or occupation, these fees may range from AUD 500 to AUD 2,500.
The length of time it takes to receive your visa depends on several factors, including the amount of supporting evidence you provide, your qualifications and the skills that are needed in the Australian labour market. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from 2-6 months to receive your visa. t’s important to understand that the processing times vary depending on individual cases. This means that if you are well-prepared with the necessary documentation and meet the requirements for Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional provisional visa 494, it could take as little as two months to process your visa.
The best way to ensure that you obtain your visa quickly is to thoroughly prepare your application and ensure that you submit all required documentation. Additionally, be sure to keep track of any changes in processing times or application requirements, as these can affect how long it takes to receive your skilled employer sponsored regional provisional visa 494.
The skilled employer sponsored regional provisional visa 494 requires applicants to demonstrate an adequate level of English language proficiency. This is to ensure that successful applicants can successfully contribute to the regional community and maintain employment in their chosen occupation.