Visa Subclass 491 Family Sponsored
Eligibility
- You must have the nomination to apply by department and sponsoring relative category
- Your occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupations (MLTSSL) list.
- You must have a positive and suitable skill assessment report.
- And you must satisfy the points test criteria
Benefits
- You can stay in Australia for 5 years from the date of the visa grant
- You can work and stay in designated regions of Australia.
- Travel to and from Australia as many times as you want, while the visa is valid.
- Eligible to apply for permanent residency after completion of three years in the nominated regional area with valid proofs.
Conditions
- 8504 – Initial entry date
- 8515 – Must not marry or enter into a de facto relationship before entry
- 8578 – Notify if your passport or contact details change
- 8579 – Provide evidence of your live, study or work address if required
- 8581 – You must attend an interview if the department may ask you
Process Overview
Here’s a breakdown of the process for Australian immigration under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program:
Step-by-Step Process for Visa Subclass 190
- Occupation and Skill assessment Body Determination
- Task: Identify your occupation and the relevant skill assessment body.
- Timeline: Same day upon availability of full resume.
- Document Gathering
- Task: Prepare the required documents as specified by the skill assessment body.
- Timeline: 10 to 15 days.
- Skill assessment Application and Outcome
- Task: Submit the application to the relevant skill assessment body.
- Timeline: 1 month to 4 months.
- English Language Preparation
- Task: Prepare for the English language test with Aspire Square’s Online/Offline Coaching Facility.
- Timeline: 1 month to 3 months.
- Expression of Interest (EOI) to Invitation
- Task: Submit an online EOI to eligible state or territories and wait for an invitation. You can fill the multiple EOI for each eligible state or territories.
- Timeline: 1 day to 6 months (can vary based on points score).
- Visa Application to Outcome
- Task: After receiving an invitation, submit your visa application and wait for the outcome. Here you also need to provide Medical Test report and PCC
- Timeline: 2 months to 8 months (depends on the department’s standard time frame).
Notes
- Parallel Processes: The skill assessment application and English language preparation can be done simultaneously to save time.
- Few Assessments body (Like – CPA, Engineers Australia) require English Language score at the time of Assessment application. In that case you need to provide upfront English Language score to apply.
- This timeline is designed to give a general idea of the process and expected durations at each stage. Actual times may vary based on individual circumstances and processing times of relevant authorities.
Eligible Relative
For the subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa, having an eligible relative can be beneficial if you are applying under the family-sponsored stream. Eligible relatives must meet specific criteria to be able to sponsor you.
Eligible Relatives for the 491 Visa:
- Parent (including step-parent)
- Child (including step-child)
- Brother or sister (including step-siblings)
- Uncle or aunt (including step-uncle or step-aunt)
- Nephew or niece (including step-nephew or step-niece)
- Grandparent
- First cousin
Additional Requirements:
- Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident: The sponsoring relative must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
- Living in a Designated Regional Area: The sponsoring relative must be usually residing in a designated regional area of Australia.
Designated Regional Areas:
- Most parts of Australia are classified as regional areas except for major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. It’s important to check the specific regional areas listed by the Department of Home Affairs as they can update the designated regional areas list.
Responsibilities of the Sponsor:
- The sponsor should agree to assist the applicant and their family members settle in Australia.
- They might need to provide documentation to prove the relationship and their residency status in a designated
Benefits:
- Having an eligible relative as a sponsor can provide additional points towards your visa application, which can be crucial in meeting the points test requirements for the visa.
- Make sure to verify the most current requirements and conditions from the Department of Home Affairs or consult with a migration agent, as immigration policies and regulations can change.










