Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Provisional Visa (Subclass 494) – I2N Dev
Nadeem Lawyers
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Provisional Visa (Subclass 494)
Subclass 494 is a provisional visa which will commence on 16 November 2019. This visa will replace the current subclass 187 visa.
You must be nominated by an employer who is an approved standard business sponsor for a position which exists in a designated regional area. The applications for approval as a standard business sponsor for employers interested in nominating overseas workers are now open.
You will be eligible to apply for a permanent visa after 3 years without a second nomination through the subclass 191 visa which will commence on 16 November 2022.
This visa is a low-cost option for employers as it requires only one SAF levy at the nomination stage for subclass 494 visa (compared to the two stages for the current subclass 482 to ENS subclass 186 permanent resident pathway) and do not require second nomination (and thus no second SAF Levy) at the subclass 191 visa stage.
About 9,000 places have been allocated to this visa subclass.
Length of the Visa
The period for this visa is 5 years.
Visa Eligibility Criteria
You must meet the following minimum criteria:
- Must be nominated by a sponsor.
- Must be less than 45 years of age at the time of application.
- Must have suitable skills assessment in the nominated occupation.
- Must have 3 years full-time work experience in your nominated occupation.
- Must have competent English at the time of application.
- Must be holder of substantive visa or BVA, BVB or BVC to apply onshore
- Must meet health and character requirements
Benefits Of This Visa
- Priority processing
- Eligibility to transition to subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after 3 years
- Availability of more points
Designated Regional Areas
At commencement of this regional visa, it is intended that any area excluding Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and the Gold Coast will be designated as a regional area. The areas of New Castle, Wollongong and the NSW Central Coast will become designated regional areas. Regional visa holders may live in any designated regional area and can move between the designated regional areas.
Benefits
- The holders of this visa will be eligible to transition to Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after 3 years.
- Employer do not need to lodge a second nomination for the purposes of subclass 191 visa.
- No second nomination means no SAF Levy – less costs for the employer.
Subclass 191 Visa
Subclass 191 is a new permanent visa which will commence on 16 November 2022. Subclass 494 visa holders will be eligible to apply for this visa after 3 years subject to having complied with the visa conditions which include living and working full time in a designated regional area for 3 years and meeting the minimum earnings of $53,990 per annum for three years.
Visa Conditions
The holders of 494 visa shall be restricted from applying for the following visas, unless they have completed at least three years in a designated regional area, unless exceptional circumstances exist:
- Subclass 124/858 – Distinguished Talent
- Subclass 132 – Business Talent
- Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme
- Subclass 188 – Business Innovation and Investment
- Subclass 189 – Skilled – Independent
- Subclass 190 – Skilled – Nominated
- Subclass 820 – Partner (Temporary)
Family Members
You can include your family members in your visa application.
Costs
Primary applicant: $3,755
Additional applicant: Over 18 years: $1,875; Under 18 years: $940
Second instalment: Secondary applicant with less than functional English: $4,890
Free Visa Assessment
We can determine your eligibility for 494 visa. Please email us your details at info@nadeemlawyers.com.au or call us on 02 96357903 and we will provide you more detailed information on the steps, fees and process.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is only for general understanding and does not constitute legal advice.