The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494) allows employers in regional Australia to fill local vacancies in specific occupations that are facing labor shortages, by sponsoring foreign skilled workers under the Employer Sponsored stream, if no suitable domestic workers are available for the position. Australia 494 visa holders and their family members can live in the country for up to five years, and apply for permanent residence three years after visa approval.

This visa is different from the other popular regional immigration pathway – the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) 491 Visa, as there is no point system or Expression of Interest system. This means that the selection process is less competitive. In order to be eligible, candidates must meet the following requirements:
•Be under 45 years of age.
•Have the required level of skill, and at least three years of work experience in the occupation that the candidate intends to practice in Australia i.e. the nominated skilled occupation.
•Be nominated for the visa by an approved employer who operates a lawful business in a designated regional area of Australia, and be employed to work for that business, in the nominated skilled occupation.
•Receive a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for the nominated skilled occupation.
•Have at least competent English language skills.
•Meet health and character requirements.
•Not have had a visa previously cancelled or a visa application refused while in Australia.
•The candidate or their family members should not have any outstanding debt payable to the Australian government.
•Commit to obeying Australian law by signing the Values Statement.

Eligible candidates can prepare the required documents and submit a visa application to the Department of Home Affairs – the federal Australia immigration authority – online via ImmiAccount. The application fee for the primary applicant is AUD 4,045. Family members can be added to the application. After due verification, the DHA will announce the visa outcome. Application processing time is indefinite.

To identify viable regional areas where your profile would be in-demand, enhance your eligibility and submit a complete Australia 494 visa application – or pursue alternative permanent residence pathways – seek the expert guidance of seasoned consultants at Abhinav Immigration Services, who provide visa solutions for various skilled immigration pathways, and reliable support at every step of the process.