The skilled regional (provisional) visa (Subclass 489) is a visa for skilled people who want to live and work in a regional or low population growth area in Australia. A person who is a holder of this visa can live and work permanently anywhere in Australia. Also, this visa holder can include some family members in the application. This visa is valid for four years. A candidate can live and work in Australia. In other words, this visa allows a skilled worker to live and work in regional or low population growth metropolitan areas of Australia for up to four years

To get this visa there are three pathways:

1. The extended stay pathway
2. The invited pathway
3. The subsequent entry pathway

All three pathways are different from each other.

1.The extended stay pathway

All those candidates who currently hold one of the following provisional areas and complied with all conditions of visa for at least two years before applying this visa can apply for skilled regional (provisional) visa (Subclass 489) through the extended pathway:

• Skilled-regional Sponsored visa (subclass 475)
• Skilled-regional Sponsored visa (subclass 487)
• Skilled-Independent Sponsored visa (subclass 487)
• Skilled-designated area Sponsored provisional visa (Subclass 496)

Candidate should have never held more than one of the above-mentioned visas. A candidate can work in any occupation and for any employer.

If a candidate is nominated by a state or territory for his or her current skilled visa, then the candidate must live and work in same state or territory’s regional or low-population growth metropolitan area.

Eligibility

• In order to become eligible for a visa through this pathway, a Candidate should have never held more than one of the below-mentioned visas:
• Skilled-regional Sponsored visa (subclass 475)
• Skilled-regional Sponsored visa (subclass 487)
• Skilled-Independent Sponsored visa (subclass 487)
• Skilled-designated area Sponsored provisional visa (Subclass 496)
• Candidate’s age should be below 45 years.
• Candidate must have competent English
• Candidate should have a relevant occupation
• Candidate should have a suitable skill assessment for the occupation

2. The invited pathway

The Invited pathway is for all those candidates who do not meet the conditions for the extended pathway.

A candidate either wants to be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or will be sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia.

If a candidate wants to apply for skilled regional (provisional) visa (Subclass 489) through the invited pathway, then the candidate needs to submit an expression of interest (EOI) via skill select with the information of his or her nominated occupation, skills and qualifications and if he or she will be sponsored by a family member or wish to be nominated by an Australian state or territory.

• If a candidates score in point table is high, he or she will receive an invitation to apply if sponsored by a relative
• Candidates nominated by Australian state and territory government agencies will be invited to apply for the visa.

Expressions of Interest (EOI)

In order to get an invitation for this visa, candidates must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through Skill Select with details of nominated occupation, skills and qualifications.  After submission of Expression of Interest (EOI), ranks will be given based on the selection factors. These EOI‘s are kept for two years. Also, there is no cost fee to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for this visa.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for this pathway:

• A candidate must be nominated by an Australian state or territory to live and work in that state or territory.
• A candidate must be sponsored by a relative
• A candidates occupation must be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations
• Candidate should have skill assessment that shows that the candidate is skilled and qualified to work in that occupation
• A candidate needs to score at least 65 points in the Point table in order to become eligible.
• Candidate’s age should be below 45 years.
• Candidate must have competent English

4. The subsequent entry pathway

This pathway is designed for individuals who belong to a family in which one of the members holds visa either under subclass 489 or any one of the subclass 475, 487, 497 or 496

Ability

• In order to become eligible for this pathway, a family member of applicants must be a holder of below-mentioned visa:

• As such there are no requirements for the English language. If an applicant is more than 18 years with no functional English, the applicant will have to pay an extra fee called as the second instalment.

Processing time

The process time for applications can vary case to case and can also vary due to individual circumstances like:

• whether the candidate has lodged a complete application, including all necessary supporting documents
• how promptly candidate respond to any requests for additional information
• how long it takes to perform required checks on the supporting information provided
• how long it takes to receive additional information from external agencies, particularly in relation to health, character, and national security requirements
• for permanent migration visa applications, how many places are available in the migration program
• For citizenship applications, the time taken to attend a Citizenship Ceremony or receive a Citizenship Certificate.

Benefits

• A candidate who is a holder of this visa is free to live and work as a permanent resident. That means, this visa holder can choose the location of the workplace and is free to live anywhere in Australia.
• A candidate with this visa can access the Medicare healthcare scheme
• A candidate can get a basic and advanced education in Australia
• Opportunity to apply for Citizenship. After spending a certain time in Australia, a candidate can apply for Citizenship
• Candidates can travel to and from Australia as many times as he or she want during the time of visa validation
• Candidate can live in Australia for up to 4 years.

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