494 Skilled Employer Regional.
Sponsored, regional, and PR-bound.
The Subclass 494 is an employer-sponsored regional visa. Work in a designated regional area for 3 years and you can apply for the Subclass 191 permanent residence visa.
Processing time
10–16 months
Employer-sponsored stream
Valid for
5 years
Temporary regional visa
Documents needed
14 items
Across 5 categories
PR via 191
3 years
Regional residence required
Document checklist
494 document requirements
Identity
- Passport (bio-data page)
- Previous visa grants
Employment
- Employer nomination approval
- Employment contract
- Payslips (last 3 months)
- Position description
Skills
- Skills assessment (if required)
- Qualification certificates
- Work experience evidence
English
- IELTS, PTE or equivalent
- Exemption evidence if applicable
Character
- AFP police clearance
- Overseas police clearances
Regional
- Employer is in designated regional area
- Nomination for regional position
The PR pathway
494 to 191 — how it works
Get nominated and apply for 494
Your employer in a designated regional area nominates you. Apply for the 494 and get granted.
Live and work regionally for 3 years
Stay in the designated regional area. Keep evidence — payslips, leases, tax returns.
Meet the income threshold
Earn above the minimum income threshold for at least 3 of the 4 income years on your 494.
Apply for Subclass 191
Lodge your 191 permanent residence application. Processing takes 8–14 months.
Track your 494 in Visafold
Document checklist, regional evidence tracker, 191 PR pathway planner.
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