Prior to immigrating to Australia via the subclass 491, it’s always better to keep yourself informed about the subclass 491 Visa processing times, eligibility criteria and many more so that you don’t miss out on anything important. After all, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of Care.” 

“What is the Australia Visa Subclass 491?” is one of the first questions that trigger your mind prior to Australia Immigration in 2020. 

Now, what is the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 491?

Subclass 491 is not a permanent residency visa, however, it’s a temporary one that can pave your way to become the permanent residence post living in the Kangaroo land for 3 years. It’s a special category for the skilled workers who wish to work and earn a living in the designated regional areas of the country. 

With this, you can;

• Stay in the land of Kangaroos and Koalas for 5 years. 
• Travel anywhere in and out of Australia without any hitch. 
• Live, work and study in the designated regional areas. 
• Apply for the Permanent Residency after living there for 3 years 
• Work with any employer in the occupation that’s high-in-demand. 

Well, to avail the benefits given above, you need to meet the eligibility criteria for the subclass 491 such as:

• You need to get either a nomination certificate from the regional state or a sponsorship from the eligible family member may also work. 
• You must choose an occupation that’s present in the visa 491 occupation demand list. 
• You must have a Positive Skills Assessment for your chosen occupation. 
• You need to score a minimum of 65 Australia Immigration points. 
• You need to be minimum 18 years of age and less than 45 years of age, if you want to apply under this category. 
• You must be efficient in the English Language. 
• You should have no history of any visa cancelation or refusal.
• You must prove that you’ve a clean bill of health and a good character by showcasing your medical clearance certificate and Police Clearance Certificate respectively. 
• You should not owe any money to the Australian Government. 

Post meeting the above-mentioned requirements, you might be eager to know about, 

What is the application process or How Can You Apply under the Visa subclass 491?

The first and foremost step is to submit your EOI (Expression of Interest) showcasing your interest to apply under this category. Well, there are no fees associated with the submission of the EOI in the online skill select. Now, after submitting your EOI, the skill select will evaluate your scores based upon your credentials that you’ve provided under the EOI. 

It’s mandatory to score 65 points in the online skill select if you want to move to the land of Kangaroos without any hassle. Now, the state or territory will review your application, and if they find it interesting, then they’ll provide you with a nomination certificate to apply. 

Your EOI is stored in the skill select for a period of 2 years, which means you can easily access or update any information, if required. If you’re invited to apply, you need to submit all your pertinent documents validating your credentials. Post receiving the invitation, you have 60 days-time-duration to apply for the visa before it expires. 

Catch the Sight of the 491 Visa Processing Times 2020

Now, you all might be eager to know as to how much time it takes for your visa to get approved by the Department of Home Affairs. Isn’t it? Well, there is no particular or fixed time for your visa to get processed, however, it can take about 8-10 months for your visa to get processed. The processing times are impacted and can vary due to the following instances such as:

• It can take longer, if your application is incomplete and lacks pertinent documents. 
• If you’re not able to respond quickly to the DHA in case any information is required from your end. 
• It also depends upon how much time it takes to validate your information from the third-parties such as the medical clearance certificates or the police clearance certificates. 

Make a List of the Mandatory Documents 2020 that You Need to Provide 

Well, below is a list of the pertinent documents that you need to submit when applying for the 491 Visa. 

• A Valid Passport 
• Character Certificate 
• Medical Clearance Certificate 
• IELTS Language Test Results 
• Skills Assessment Documents such as the Positive outcome on the Skill select
• Sponsorship Documents such as proof of residence, proof of relationship and many more
• Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
• ID’s of Family Members 
• Personal Credentials 

Can You Stay In Australia for More than 5 Years on the 491 Visa?

Well, 491 is not a permanent visa. So, you cannot live in the kangaroo land for more than 5 years If you wish to do so, you need to apply for a fresh visa. Moreover, if your nomination is withdrawn, you’ll not be granted any visa. 

Final Words

Now, you might be clear about what the visa 491 is all about. So, are you ready to apply for this in 2020? Well, if you’re a skilled worker, then this category is undoubtedly the best choice you can make to accomplish your goal of living in the Kangaroo land and living the best life there. Good Luck!