Regional Employer-Sponsored Subclass 494 Visa for Australia

On November 16, 2019, the subclass 494 visa was introduced, replacing the subclass 187 (RSMS). It is a regional employer-sponsored visa that allows Australian employers to nominate skilled foreign workers. A total of 9,000 places have been allocated to the 494 visa pathway. Since it’s a provisional visa, it does not grant the visa holder immediate permanent residency in Australia. For PR, the visa holder must apply for a subclass 191 skilled regional visa.

The subclass 494 visa allows businesses in regional Australia to actively nominate highly skilled foreign professionals for job vacancies for which no local talent is available.

Reasons to apply for subclass 494 visa

• Stay in the designated regional area of Australia for up to five years

• Apply for permanent residency after three years

• Include your family members in the application

• Access to social care and healthcare benefits

• Priority processing

• Have access to more occupations compared to non-regional pathways

Eligibility Requirements

You can migrate to Australia under subclass 494 visa, if you are:

• Under 45 years of age

• have a valid job offer from an Australian employer

• The job offered to you is a full-time position that is likely to last for at least five years

• Meet health and character requirements

• Satisfy all nomination criteria

• Demonstrate complete English language skills

How subclass 494 visa leads to permanent residency in Australia?

The subclass 494 is only valid for five years. However, holders can access apply for PR through the subclass 191 visa.

To be eligible for the subclass 191 visa, the holder must:

• Must have lived, worked and studied in a designated regional area in Australia on subclass 494 visa.

• have lived for at least 3 years in a designated regional area

• Show earnings of at least $53,900 annually for three years.

• have had a taxable income at or above a specific income threshold for at least three years while holding your eligible visa

• both primary and secondary applicants have complied with the conditions of the eligible visa you hold or have held

Please note that you do not need a sponsorship from an employer to make an application under subclass 191 Australia visa.