Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 494) visa
What is 494 Visa?
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) visa 494 enables skilled applicants who are nominated by their employer in regional Australia to live and work in Australia for 5 years. You may apply for permanent residency after living and working for your sponsor for 3 years following the visa grant.
Who can get a 494 Visa?
Eligibility requirements:
- under the age of 45
- the position is in regional Australia (outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane)
- nominate an occupation that is on the skilled occupation lists (including the short-term, medium-term and regional lists)
- have at least 3 years relevant work experience in your nominated occupation
- assessment must have a relevant skills assessment
- approved by Regional certifying body RCB
- meet English language requirement, exempt from the English requirement if you are a passport holder of the following countries: United Kingdom, United States, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland
- meet health and character requirement
- meet additional criteria of the stream in which you are applying for
- the sponsoring business must be actively and lawfully operating in Australia
- must have a genuine need to fill a skilled position
- must be unable to find an Australian citizen or permanent resident with the skills and experience needed to fill the nominated position.
- full-time employment contract for at least five years
- pay market rate salary
- business has no adverse information
What are the Streams under 494 visa?
Employer Sponsored stream – for applicants who are nominated by employers in regional Australia to address identified labour shortage.
Labour Agreement stream – for applicants who are nominated by regional employers who have a labour agreement. Labour agreements are developed between the Australian Government and employers.
How long to process 494 Visa?
Subclass 494 processing times vary by stream, application completeness and Home Affairs caseload. Check current processing guidance before relying on a fixed estimate.
TESTIMONIALS FROM REAL PEOPLE
Ali Khan
“With help of AIA, my brother my family and I could acquire Australian tourist visa. Because of political and social reasons, this is not an easy task for Iranians”
Owen Barnabas
“Had a very urgent case regarding the 482 visa. Thanks to AIA and particularly Ruby who acted on my case urgently I had my 482 visa granted within a very short period of time. The manner in which it was dealt with was very professional and all done so by a very friendly and kind team. I would highly recommend them”
Caroline Butler
“Myself and my partner had a very urgent case regarding the 482 sponsorship visa that was handled brilliantly by AIA, especially by Ruby. She took on our case and acted on it as soon as possible. I would highly recommend AIA as we got our visa through in a short period of time”
Peter King
“AIA handled my case rapidly and with professionalism. Within two weeks of AIA submitting my application for AU citizenship I was contracted by AU Immigration for an interview and test. AIA was a great investment and provided stellar services”
Romain Davies
“My case for the 482 visa was not easy and urgent but AIA and especially Ruby found the good way to manage it. I knew that it would be difficult and may be not possible to get this sponsor but Ruby did it! Thank you”
Viki Wong
“Ruby and team were very helpful and thorough. We are Kiwis and have successfully achieved our PR goal with their assistance in a very quick time-frame.
Highly recommend them”
Hepzi Dorairaj
“I applied for 189 visa through AIA. I’m very glad I chose AIA as they made my visa process very smooth and absolutely with no stress during skill assessment and EOI. They are very approachable and kind to provide any clarification anytime I reach out to them. They always do it right the first time. I definitely recommend AIA.”
Raphael, Brazil
My 482 visa was complicated, after speaking to many agents, I met for consultation with Michaela at AIA office, within 3 weeks my application was lodged and visa was granted very quickly. Speak to AIA if you have a complicated case, they will point you in the right direction and sort it out.
Marion, Philippines
“AIA did a great job with my partner visa application for wife from Philippines. They did Prospective marriage visa stage, 820 visa and second stage 801 applications. Friendly and experienced staff. I am now happily settled in Brisbane with my wife and children. They are experts in partner visas and highly recommend them.”
