From priority processing to five-year validity, two new skilled visas come into effect

Migration experts suggest the new visas will change the flow of migrants to Australia with more places allocated to regional migration than to major cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

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From November 16 2019, skilled migrants will have access to two new skilled provisional visas which will require them to live and work in a regional area in Australia.

The new visas have been introduced to tackle skills shortages in regional Australia while trying to ease population pressures on major cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

The two new skilled regional provisional visas are:

• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa: for people sponsored by an employer in regional Australia.
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa: for people who are nominated by a State or Territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member to live and work in regional Australia.

Migration experts suggest the new visas will change the flow of migrants to Australia.

“Traditionally, migrants have preferred to settle in Sydney and Melbourne for job prospects. With more incentives on offer for those willing to live outside these cities, we expect migrants will now look elsewhere to settle and this will change the country’s migration pattern,” Mr Rohit Mohan, a migration agent told SBS Hindi.

The government hopes to do just that.

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman said there will be additional incentives for skilled migrants and their families to settle in regional areas.

“Applicants for the two new visas will receive priority processing and have access to a wider range of jobs than those applying to migrate to our major cities,” Mr Coleman said in a statement.

“By requiring migrants to live and work in a regional area for at least three years we are encouraging them to put down roots in those communities, meaning they are more likely to stay long term,” he said.

Six most important questions answered in SBS Hindi Facebook Live:

• What is the 491 and 494 visa?
• What special incentives are on offer for skilled migrants and their families to settle in regional areas?
• Which regions qualify as regional Australia?
• What kinds of occupations are eligible for these visas?
• Is there a pathway to becoming a permanent resident?
• What is the new points system? 

For full list of occupations for 491 and 494 visas, click here.

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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 ask a registered MARA agent.