Visa hopefuls will have to wait a bit longer for the new skilled regional visa for New South Wales as Australia’s most populous state is yet to open applications for the new 491 subclass – the Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa program.
The new regional visas were launched by the Australian government in November 2019.
Goat farmers, actors, pilots, archaeologists, nurses and carpenters are all among workers eligible to come to Australia through new regional visa pathways.
The new visas were introduced to ease the population pressures on Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and give regional communities a boost in population and access to skilled workers.
It has been more than two months since the new visas were launched but NSW is yet to open applications for this.
“There is currently a delay in the program opening in NSW. We will announce when NSW is open to applications shortly. We are unable to provide further guidance via phone or email at this time,” the NSW government said on its website.
Source: SBS
‘Offshore applicants waiting eagerly’
Registered migration agent, Rohit Mohan says offshore applicants are eagerly waiting for NSW to kickstart the 491 visa program.
“Unlike previously, those who live in Victoria or other parts will not be eligible for this program. NSW has restricted this program to those living, working or studying in regional NSW and offshore applicants. I have received a lot of queries from offshore. They are eagerly waiting for the program to start accepting applications,” Mr Mohan told SBS Hindi.
Mr Mohan believes the program has been delayed due to change in structure.
“Previously the regional 489 visas were handled by regional certifying bodies in NSW. Now, the 491 visa program will be managed entirely within the NSW government, with applications to be made directly to NSW Treasury. Maybe they are working on establishing this process and therefore the delay,” Mr Mohan explained.
What is this new visa?
The new Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) will enable eligible skilled workers and their families to live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia for five years.
Visa holders will be eligible to apply for a Permanent Residence visa after three years.
Applicants for this visa must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area and be invited to apply for the visa, following submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.
Disclaimer: We’d like to point out that the information contained in this segment is general and is not specific advice. If you would like accurate information relevant to your situation, you should speak to a registered MARA agent.
