Valuable Information on 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa

 Do you want to work in Australia? Do you want to live and work in a regional location in the country? If it is so, you can be eligible to apply for a 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa. Australia is one of the finest destinations to work in the field of your choice. The developed country offers a myriad of job opportunities in construction, medicine, hospitality, retail, management, etc. The cost of living in a regional location is comparatively cheaper than major cities in the country. It offers several other advantages also. The article outlines eligibility and ways to apply for a 494 Visa. 

 Streams to Apply under a 494 Visa

 This visa allows regional employers in Australia to hire skilled laborers overseas after identifying labor shortages within the region. It is a provisional visa to Australia that can lead to PR. It has two primary streams to apply. 

Employer-Sponsored Stream

Under this stream, any regional employer can hire overseas skilled workers after identifying labor shortages within their region. It is valid for 5 years. After completing 3 years of stay, you can be eligible to apply for Australian PR.  

 Labour Agreement Stream 

 As the name suggests, this stream allows labor agreement employers to hire skilled workers overseas. A labor agreement is an agreement between the government and employers to hire skilled workers overseas. It is for 5 years and renewable for the next 5 years. 

The processing times of these streams can vary. You can refer to the visa processing time guide tool. 

 Advantages of applying for a 494 Visa to Australia 

 It has a range of advantages. 

 On this visa, you can stay in Australia for 5 years. Usually, a provisional work visa is for 4 years. 

 It allows you to live and work in a designated regional location in the country. 

It lets you participate in a course to enhance your skills and knowledge. It also increases the opportunity to apply for PR visas to Australia. 

 The requirements to apply for this visa are straight and easy. It is not a point-test visa. It requires nomination and a suitable skills assessment. 

 After 3 years of your continuous stay in a regional area of Australia, you can become eligible to apply for permanent residence. This visa allows you to apply for a range of PR visas including:-

• Business Talent Subclass 132
• Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186
• Skilled Independent Subclass 189
• Skilled Nominated Subclass 190
• Skilled Regional Subclass 191
• Global Talent Subclass 858 

 You can include your immediate family members (dependent children and your partner) in the visa application. 

 It allows you to apply from in and outside the country. 

 Basic Eligibility to Apply for a 494 Visa 

·       It is an age-restricted visa to Australia. It means you can apply for this visa if you are under 45 years of age. The age criterion is eliminated if you work as a lecturer, researcher, or scientist. Age does not matter if you hold a Special Category visa subclass 444 or New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa subclass 461. 

·        This visa requires nomination by an employer whose business is running smoothly and lawfully in Australia. 

·         You meet the educational and work experience requirements. You have pursued your education in the nominated field. You have at least 3 years of experience in the nominated field as a full-time employee. 

·         Before you apply for this visa, collect your skills assessment. It is essential to demonstrate your positive skills assessment. 

·         You are eligible to apply if you have at least competent English language skills. 

·         Collect your health and character certificates for yourself and the family member who is moving with you. 

·         You have signed the Australian values statement to respect the way of life and law of the country. 

·         You have had no visa cancellation history with Australia for an unjustified reason. 

Steps to Apply

After learning the eligibility criteria for a 494 Visa to Australia, you can take the following steps-

Arrange your skills assessment, and an English language test score, and undergo for health assessment. 

Keep your documents ready to apply right after your nomination. Some certificates include education, work experience, health, character, age, and English language skills. 

Now, apply for this visa online in ImmiAccount. At this phase, you can get help from immigration specialists in Australia. A professional agency helps you to fill out the visa application. 

After applying, wait for the visa approval. The DHA might contact you via email for further documents. Therefore, keep checking your email regularly. Approval information you may also get in your email ID. 

Overall, it is easy to apply for a 494 Visa to Australia if you fit the requirements. You can consult an immigration specialist to clear your doubts.