- Very popular option for most countries
- Candidates who find a full time job & an employer overseas are eligible for this visa
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The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa is a residency visa for skilled foreign workers with job offers from employers in regional areas of Australia.
Why Subclass 494?
- Stay in Australia for up to 5 years
- Sponsor eligible family members
- Travel to & from Australia without any restrictions
- Earn 5x more in AUD
- Apply for Australian citizenship upon eligibility
Subclass 494 Visa Australia
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, or Subclass 494 visa, is a residency visa for skilled workers. The visa is granted to eligible candidates with relevant skills and an employment offer from employers in regional areas of Australia.
Individuals must have a nomination from a registered Australian employer who must also offer sponsorship to the candidate.
Subclass 494 Visa streams
The Subclass 494 visa is classified into three streams that are given below:
- Employer-Sponsored stream
- Labor agreement stream
- Subsequent Entrant
Employer-Sponsored stream
- The Employer Sponsored stream is for individuals nominated to work in an occupation listed in the skilled occupation list.
- The candidate must have at least three years of prior work experience in the nominated occupation.
- The candidate must work only for the sponsored employer.
- The candidate must be below 45 and must fulfill the English language requirements.
Labor agreement stream
- The Labor Agreement stream is for individuals with a nomination in an occupation from an employer with a Labor Agreement.
- The candidate must have at least three years of prior work experience in the nominated occupation.
- The candidate must have a skills assessment.
- The candidate must be below 45 years and must fulfill the English language requirements.
Subsequent Entrant
- The Subsequent Entrant visa is for candidates who are members of the family unit of a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR).
Benefits of Subclass 494 Visa
The benefits of Subclass 494: Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa are given below:
- The Subclass 494 visa allows candidates to stay in the country for up to 5 years.
- Candidates can study the course of their choice while seeking employment in an appointed regional area of Australia.
- The Subclass 494 visa permits easy travel throughout the visa.
- Candidates can avail of Australia’s Medicare facilities.
- Candidates can apply for Australian Permanent Residency via the Subclass 191 visa pathway.
Eligibility for Subclass 494 Visa
The essential eligibility criteria required for Subclass 494 visa are as follows –
- The candidate must have a nomination from an approved work sponsor.
- The candidate must have an occupation listed on the skill occupation list.
- The candidate must have relevant skill assessments according to the occupation.
- The candidate must be below the age of 45
- The candidate must fulfill the minimum English language proficiency.
- The candidate must not be indebted to the government of Australia.
Requirements of Subclass 494 Visa
The requirements for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa are given below –
- Proof of identification
- Validation of English language proficiency
- Evidence of skill assessment
- Medical certificate
- Criminal clearance certificate
- Form 956 & 956a
Requirements for spouse:
- Proof of identity
- Certificate of Marriage
- Evidence of a registered relationship
- Validation of knowledge in Functional English
- Proof of separation (if applicable)
Requirements for other family members:
- Proof of identity
- Evidence of good character
- Proof of dependency
- Form 47a
Subclass 494 visa Application process
To apply for the Subclass 494 visa, you can follow the steps given below –
Step 1: Check if you are eligible for the Subclass 494 visa.
Step 2: Arrange the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa requirements.
Step 3: Acquire a nomination from an Australian employer.
Step 4: Apply for the Subclass 494 visa.
Step 5: Wait for the status of your visa.
Subclass 494 Visa processing time
The processing time for Subclass 494 Visa generally takes around 32 days to 12 months, depending on the stream.
The complete details of the processing time for each stream are given below:
Stream | Processing time |
Employer Sponsored stream | 57 days to 12 months |
Labour Agreement stream | 32 days to 9 months |
The processing time of the Subclass 494 visa usually varies based on the submitted application and other factors that determine the success of the visa.
Cost of Subclass 494 visa
The cost of a Subclass 494 visa is AUD 4,640. The detailed costs for each stream are given below:
Stream | Application cost |
Employer Sponsored stream | Primary applicant: AUD 4,640 |
Dependents over 18 years of age: AUD 2,320 | |
Dependents under 18 years of age: AUD 1,160 | |
Labour Agreement stream | Primary applicant: AUD 4,640 |
Dependents over 18 years of age: AUD 2,320 | |
Subsequent Entrant | Dependents under 18 years of age: AUD 1,160 |
Primary applicant: AUD 4,640 | |
Subsequent entrant over 18 years of age & lacks Functional English: AUD 4,890 |
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