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Registered 491 visa agent support for Sri Lankans
Australia 491 Visa Consultants in Sri Lanka
The Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) adds 15 points to your score and opens a clear path to Australian permanent residence through the subclass 191 visa. Our 491 visa consultants help you secure state nomination or family sponsorship and plan your move to regional Australia.
Speak to an advisor: +94 74 291 8914 or info@giecglobal.lk
Check your 491 visa eligibility
Share your occupation, age and English score. A migration advisor will call you within one working day with your best state or family sponsorship options.
Your details are used only to contact you about Australian migration. We never share them with third parties.
What Is the 491 Visa in Australia?
The subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa is a points tested visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory, or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area.
It is valid for 5 years. You live, work and study in designated regional Australia, and after 3 years you may be able to apply for permanent residence through the subclass 191 visa.
Benefits of the 491 Visa
- 15 extra points, the biggest boost in the points test
- A pathway to permanent residence through the subclass 191
- Include your partner and children in one application
- Full work and study rights in designated regional areas
- Access to Medicare, Australia's public health scheme
- Regional cities such as Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra and Hobart count as regional
Short of points for the 189? The 491 could be your fastest route to Australian PR.
Check my eligibilityWho Can Sponsor You for a 491 Visa?
You need one of two types of support. We help you choose the stream that gives you the best chance.
State or territory nomination
A state or territory government nominates you because your occupation is in demand in its regional areas. Each state sets its own occupation list and criteria, such as NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia.
Family sponsorship
An eligible relative who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, aged 18 or over and usually living in a designated regional area, sponsors you.
Eligible relatives
Parents, children, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandparents and first cousins, including step relationships, can be eligible sponsors.
Designated regional areas
All of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane counts as regional for this visa, including many large cities.
Australia 491 Visa Requirements
- State nomination or eligible family sponsorship
- An invitation to apply from SkillSelect
- Under 45 years of age when you are invited
- An occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- A suitable skills assessment for that occupation
- At least competent English
- A score of at least 65 points, including the 15 nomination points
- Health and character requirements for you and your family
Document Checklist
- Passport and national identity card
- Birth certificate
- Skills assessment outcome letter
- IELTS, PTE or other English test results
- Degree certificates and transcripts
- Employment reference letters, payslips and tax records
- State nomination approval or family sponsor documents
- Marriage certificate and partner documents if applicable
- Police certificates and health examinations
Not sure which state will nominate your occupation? Get a free nomination strategy.
Find my best stateWhy Use a Registered 491 Visa Agent?
These are the real challenges applicants face, and where registered visa consultants in Sri Lanka make the biggest difference.
Every state has different rules
Occupation lists, work experience rules and offshore eligibility change often and differ between states. Applying to the wrong state wastes time.
Skills assessment surprises
Assessing bodies often count less experience than applicants expect, which can lower points and affect eligibility for nomination.
Proving a family sponsor
Family sponsorship needs clear evidence of the relationship, your relative's status and their regional address.
Planning for permanent residence
To move to the 191, you must meet regional living and income conditions. We plan this from day one so you do not miss out.
How Our 491 Visa Consultants Help
As Australia 491 visa consultants in Sri Lanka with a registered migration agent and an office in Australia, we manage your case from your first check to your visa grant and your path to PR.
Eligibility and state strategy
We check your occupation against state lists and recommend the states most likely to nominate you.
Family sponsorship review
We confirm whether your relative can sponsor you and prepare the relationship and residence evidence.
Skills assessment preparation
We prepare your employment evidence for bodies such as Engineers Australia, ACS, CPA Australia, VETASSESS and ANMAC.
EOI and state applications
We lodge your Expression of Interest and any state nomination applications with accurate claims.
Visa application
After you are invited, we prepare and lodge your 491 application with every claim backed by evidence.
491 to PR planning
We explain the 191 requirements so you meet regional living and income conditions from the start.
What you get in your free assessment
- Your estimated points, including the 15 nomination points
- The states most likely to nominate your occupation
- Whether a relative can sponsor you
- A clear breakdown of government and other costs
- A realistic timeline to your 491 and later PR
Our promise to you
- Advice from a registered migration agent
- A written fee quote with no hidden charges
- One dedicated advisor from start to finish
- No false visa guarantees, because only the Australian Government decides
- Your personal documents kept private and secure
What happens after you fill in the form
Book my free assessmentHow to Apply for a 491 Visa From Sri Lanka
Free eligibility check
We confirm your occupation, points and best sponsorship stream.
Skills assessment
You apply to the assessing body for your occupation with our help on your evidence.
English test
You take IELTS, PTE or another accepted test and aim for the score that adds the most points.
Expression of Interest
We lodge your EOI in SkillSelect for state nomination or family sponsorship.
Nomination or sponsorship and invitation
A state nominates you, or your eligible relative sponsors you, and you receive an invitation to apply.
Visa application
We lodge your 491 application with all supporting documents and pay the visa charge.
Grant and move to regional Australia
After health and character checks and a decision, you move to a designated regional area.
491 Visa Fees
Home Affairs visa application charges from 1 July 2026, for applications lodged on or after that date.
| Applicant | Visa application charge |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | AUD 6,140 |
| Each additional applicant aged 18 or over | AUD 3,070 |
| Each additional applicant under 18 | AUD 1,535 |
Also budget for your skills assessment, English test, state nomination fees where charged, medical examinations and police certificates. Our 491 visa agent fee is explained in a written quote after your free assessment.
Get a full cost plan for you and your family before you start.
Get my cost plan491 Visa to PR: The Subclass 191 Pathway
After holding your provisional visa for at least 3 years, you may apply for the subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa if you:
- Lived, worked and studied in a designated regional area
- Complied with your visa conditions
- Earned taxable income at or above the minimum threshold for at least 3 years
The income threshold is indexed, so we confirm the current figure with you.
491 vs 190 vs 189 Visa
| Feature | 491 | 190 | 189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra points | 15 | 5 | None |
| Visa type | Provisional, PR via 191 | Permanent | Permanent |
| Sponsor | State or family | State | None |
| Where you live | Regional areas | Nominating state | Anywhere |
491 Visa Occupation List and Processing Time
Each state and territory publishes its own 491 occupation list, and these change often. Processing times after you lodge also vary, so we check the current Home Affairs processing time and state lists for your case.
Improve your score with our PTE training or IELTS coaching.
Lessons From Sri Lankan Applicants
- Applying to several states increases your chances of nomination
- Family sponsorship can be the fastest route if you have an eligible relative
- Choosing a regional city with strong jobs in your field makes the 191 income requirement easier
- Getting the skills assessment right first time saves months
Exploring other routes? See Australian work visas and study in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the best 491 visa consultant in Sri Lanka?
Choose registered visa consultants in Sri Lanka who work with a migration agent you can check on the official register, explain fees in writing and know each state's rules. Avoid anyone who guarantees nomination or a visa.
What is the 491 visa in Australia?
It is a 5 year provisional, points tested visa for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible relative in a designated regional area.
How can I apply for a 491 visa from Sri Lanka?
Get a skills assessment and English test, lodge an Expression of Interest, secure state nomination or family sponsorship, then lodge your visa application after you are invited.
Who can sponsor me for a 491 visa?
A state or territory government, or an eligible relative who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen aged 18 or over living in a designated regional area.
What is the age limit for the 491 visa?
You must be under 45 when you are invited to apply.
How many points do I need for a 491 visa?
You need at least 65 points, and the nomination or sponsorship itself adds 15 points. States may expect higher scores for some occupations.
How much does the 491 visa cost?
From 1 July 2026, the visa application charge is AUD 6,140 for the main applicant, AUD 3,070 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and AUD 1,535 for each child under 18.
Can I get PR from a 491 visa?
Yes. After holding the 491 for at least 3 years, living in a regional area and meeting the income threshold, you may apply for the subclass 191 permanent visa.
Which cities count as regional for the 491 visa?
All of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane counts as regional, including Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra, Hobart and Darwin.
Can I buy a house on a 491 visa?
Temporary visa holders can generally buy property in Australia, but foreign investment rules and approvals may apply. Check with the relevant authority before buying.
Can I include my family in a 491 visa?
Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children, and they can also live, work and study in designated regional areas.
What is the 491 visa processing time?
Processing times vary by case and change often. We check the current Home Affairs processing time and give you a realistic timeline.
What is the difference between the 491 and 190 visa?
The 491 adds 15 points and is provisional with a path to PR, while the 190 adds 5 points and is permanent from grant. Many applicants apply for both.
Where is your office in Sri Lanka?
Our office is at 36/3/2 Pavilian Building, Gamini Mawatha, Galle. We offer online consultations for applicants in Colombo, Kandy, Jaffna and across the island.
Start Your 491 Visa Application Today
Talk to our Australia 491 visa consultants in Sri Lanka. We will check your points, find your best state or family sponsor and guide you to your visa and your path to PR, with registered migration agent support. Your first assessment is free.
