Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Subclass 494 Visa
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Subclass 494 Visa
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Subclass 494 visa is a replacement for the previous Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Subclass 187 visa (Direct Entry stream).
With the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Subclass 494 visa you can work, live and study in a designated regional area of Australia for up to 5 years. Holders of the Subclass 494 visa can travel to and from Australia as often as they wish.
Eligible Subclass 494 visa holders may apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time of the grant of the visa.
How to qualify
To qualify for the Subclass 494 visa, applicants need to be nominated by an approved sponsor to work in an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list, and they must have at least 3 years work experience in the nominated occupation.
Further criteria for the Subclass 494 visa include English language skills at no less than competent level, obtaining a positive skills assessment as well as meeting health and character requirements.
Visa conditions
As the holder of a Subclass 494 visa, you are to work in the nominated occupation, employed in a position within the sponsoring business or as an employee of an associated entity that is located in a designated regional area of Australia.
Family members can be included in the application for a Subclass 494 visa when the application is submitted. Criteria for family members include meeting health and character requirements.
Path to permanent residency
Employers may sponsor holders of Subclass 494 visas for permanent residence through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Subclass 191 visa. The Subclass 191 visa is schedule to come into effect on 16 November 2022.