The 491 Remote Area Sponsored Skilled Migrant Visa is a temporary visa designed to attract skilled migrants to work and settle in remote areas. Applicants need to be sponsored by a remote state or territory government and be invited to apply after passing a points test. The visa is valid for 5 years. After three years of living and working full-time in a remote area of a sponsor state, applicants with a 491 visa can apply for a 191 permanent residence visa without having to reassess their occupation, submit proof of English proficiency, or re-score. Through a state or territory government guarantee, applicants can earn 15 bonus points, which means that an individual needs to score 50 points to make up 65 points. Most of Australia is classified as a "remote area", that is, all other parts of Australia except QLD Brisbane, VIC Melbourne and NSW Sydney are classified as "remote areas". Under the FY24-25 budget, the 491 visa remote Area State sponsored immigrant quota received a small increase, to 33,000. In addition, in order to disperse the population of the three major cities, the future focus will be on speeding up the processing of visa applications in remote areas.

· Free travel to and from Australia during the visa period

· More occupations available than 190 state guarantees

· Application score is lower than 190 State guarantee

· Enjoy Australian Medicare card benefits

· Children can enjoy free Australian public school education (in some states or territories)

· The principal and deputy applicants are entitled to full-time employment

· The occupation is on the state or territory designated occupation list

· Hold valid career assessments

· The current age range is 18-45 years old

· IELTS score of at least four English scores of 6 or equivalent, valid for 3 years

· Received a state sponsor nomination from a state or territory to apply for a visa

· Meets health and no crime requirements

· Meet the minimum EOI application score (currently at least 65 points)

① Prior to submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI), the applicant has a valid career assessment and has passed the EOI score test

② Submit a letter of intent

③ Won the regional nomination

④ Apply for a visa