Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa 494
Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa 494 to PR 491 (VISA 187)
What is visa 494
Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional Visa 494, the SESR visa is a temporary visa that provides a migration pathway to the permanent residence via the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled – Regional) visa.
Why is Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional visa 494
The visa is designed to respond to labor market shortages in regional Australia.
It enables employers to recruit skilled overseas workers who are willing to live and work in regional Australia on an ongoing basis.
The visa can only be used if the employer is genuinely unable to source appropriately skilled Australian workers.
What are streams available under the visa 494
There are two streams available under the visa 494
- Employer-Sponsored (ES) stream – this stream is for employers in regional Australia to recruit skilled overseas workers to work in specified skilled occupations for five years.
- Visa holders become eligible to apply for a permanent residence visa 191 after three years.
Another stream is:
- Labour Agreement (LA) stream – this stream is for employers in regional Australia who have a labour agreement with the Commonwealth to source skilled overseas workers to work, in an occupation specified in the labor agreement, for five years. Visa holders become eligible to apply for permanent residence after three years.
About the SEST visa 494
The SESR visa is a temporary visa that enables a visa holder to enter and stay in Australia for a period of five years from the date of the grant.
The visa 494 provides a pathway to permanent residence after 3 years.
What are the requirements of SESR Visa 494?
- must work for the approved sponsor in the approved occupation;
- must live and work only in a designated regional area;
- can bring family with them to Australia, dependants can work and study in a regional area as well;
- can travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid.
How many stages in sponsoring an overseas worker under visa 494?
There are three stages in sponsoring an overseas worker under the Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional SESR visa 494
Visa 494 has replaced the visa 187
Issued on 16 November 2019
2015
Visa 187
16 Nov 2019
visa 494
16 Nov 2019
3 years
PR 191
Where the application must be made under visa 494
The primary and secondary applicants for a Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (SESR) visa 494,
Can be in or outside Australia at the time of application.
If you are in Australia
If the applicant is in Australia, they must hold a visa, or a (Bridging A) visa, a (Bridging B) visa, or a (Bridging C) visa
If you are not in Australia
You do not need to hold any visa.
Combined and separate applications for your family
Applicant’s family
The applicant’s family can lodge their application together with the applicant.
A dependent child
A dependent child can be added to an existing application before the visa granted or decision is made.
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How could I get a 494 visa?
Generally speaking, you should have gained your experience of at least 3 years within the last 5 years in a full-time based period ( 38 hours per week).
- Having a suitable skills assessment.
- Being sponsored by an employer
- At least three years of full time (38 hours per week) and relevant skilled work experience.
- under 45 years of age.
- Competent English – IELTS 6 on each or equivalent to PTE or other tests.
Benefits of the 494 visa:
- Can apply for the subclass 191 visa (commences 16 November 2022) to Australian Permanent Residency.
- 5 years residents period, and can apply for PR after 3 years
- Lower cost to pay for the employers sponsor fee SAF levy
Conditions and pathway for the visa 494 to PR:
-
- Must live and work for 3 years in regional areas
- Cannot apply for any other skilled PR while you are holding on visa 494.
- Eligible for Medicare