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51 Albion Street,
Surry Hills,
Sydney NSW 2010
AUSTRALIA
Monday to Friday
9am - 5:30pm
(or flexible by appointment)
The visas would require people to work for 3 years in regional Australia before they can apply for permanent residency, and will commence from 16 November 2019.
New migration regulations have introduced more detailed criteria for the regional visas, as well as revised the points system for existing General Skilled Migration visas. We summarise the regulations below.
Subclasses 491 and 494 to replace Subclasses 489 and 187
Three new regional visas have been introduced – two provisional visas, and one permanent residence visa.
New visa commencing on 16 November 2019 | To replace | No. of places |
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa | Subclass 489 (Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visa | 14,000 |
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa | Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa | 9,000 |
The new Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)) visa will be available for those who hold a Subclass 491 or a Subclass 494 visa at the time of application from 16 November 2022.
Revised points system
The new regulations also introduce a revised points system for the Subclass 491 visa, as well as existing General Skilled Migration visas. The changes include:
Summary of criteria for new regional visas
Subclass 491 visa (5 years validity) Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa |
State/Territory sponsored stream | Family member sponsored stream |
|
|
Applicant requirements |
Criteria include:
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Subclass 494 visa (5 years validity) Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa |
Employer sponsored stream | Labour agreement stream |
Similar nomination, application and sponsorship obligations to the Subclass 482 visa apply
| Allows employers to source skilled workers in accordance with a labour agreement with the Commonwealth. |
Applicant requirements |
Criteria include:
|
Subclass 191 visa (5 years validity) Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa |
Available only to Subclasses 491 and 494 visa holders |
Criteria include:
|
Transitional arrangements
Current Subclass 489 holders and applicants with lodged Subclass 187 applications
Transitional Subclass 457 visa holders
Holders of Subclass 457 visas on 18 April 2017, or applicants for a Subclass 457 visa on 18 April 2017 that was subsequently granted, are exempt from the closure on 16 November 2019 of the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the Subclass 187 RSMS visa.
Transitional Subclass 482 visa holders
Holders of Subclass 482 visas in the medium-term stream on 20 March 2019 or applicants for a Subclass 482 visa in the medium term stream on 20 March 2019, that was subsequently granted, are exempt from the closure on 16 November 2019 of the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the Subclass 187 RSMS visa.
51 Albion Street,
Surry Hills,
Sydney NSW 2010
AUSTRALIA
Monday to Friday
9am - 5:30pm
(or flexible by appointment)
Abacus Visa Pty Ltd. ACN: 147099303
Abacus Visa & Migration Services Pty Ltd. ABN: 58169966036
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