Home >
Services >
Work Visas >
491
The 491 visa, officially known as the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 visa, allows skilled workers to live, work, and study in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years. This visa not only opens doors to exciting regional employment opportunities but also provides a clear pathway to permanent residency through the 191 visa.
If you’re looking to migrate to Australia and build a life in a vibrant regional community, the 491 visa offers flexibility, incentive points, and a structured migration path.
The 491 visa is a points-tested provisional visa that requires either:
Once granted, you must live and work in a regional area for at least 3 years before becoming eligible to apply for permanent residency via the subclass 191 visa.
To qualify for the 491 visa, applicants must:
In addition, you must meet health and character requirements as part of the visa application process.
Regional areas include all of Australia except for:
Eligible locations include Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Darwin, Perth (excluding central metro), and all other regional and rural areas. These regions often offer more relaxed nomination criteria and strong support services for new migrants.
This visa offers several advantages for skilled workers:
Moreover, employers in regional areas are more likely to sponsor skilled workers due to local labour shortages.
For real-time updates, visit the Department of Home Affairs and refer to the Global Visa Processing Times page.
Processing times can vary depending on the complexity of your application and nomination stream. As of recent data:
After holding the 491 visa for 3 years and earning a taxable income for those years, you may be eligible to apply for the subclass 191 permanent visa.
At Jade Immigration Lawyers, we:
Speak with Jade Immigration Lawyers today – we’re here to help you find the best visa pathway.
📞 Call us: 0485 907 989
📧 Email: jade@jadeimmigrationlawyers.com.au
📝 Submit an online enquiry or
📅 Book a consultation now to get personalised immigration advice from our experienced team. We assist clients across Australia and internationally.
Find answers to common questions about our Work Visa Australia services and processes. If you need further assistance, please contact us.
No. You must live, work, or study in a designated regional area while holding the visa.
Yes, partners and dependent children can be included.
No. It’s a provisional visa with a pathway to permanent residency after 3 years.
Yes, but you must continue working in a regional area to remain compliant.Yes, but you must continue working in a regional area to remain compliant.
You need at least 65 points, but higher scores increase your chance of invitation.