Can I include my partner in my 494 visa application?

Planning to immigrate to Australia through the subclass 494 visa and wondering whether your partner can accompany you?

The good news is that yes, you can include your spouse or de facto partner in your 494 visa application. The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa is designed to address skill shortages in regional Australia by allowing employers to sponsor skilled foreign workers. It also recognizes the importance of keeping families together. 

If you are applying for this visa, your partner and dependent family members may be eligible to join you under the same application, provided certain eligibility criteria are met. At Cross Border Education, we help aspiring migrants like you to immigrate to Australia. Let’s explore how you can include your partner in your 494 visa journey and eventually unlock the pathway to an Australia PR visa.

What is Subclass 494 Visa?

The Subclass 494 visa is a provisional visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia for up to 5 years. There are two streams under this visa:

• Employer-Sponsored Stream
• Labour Agreement Stream

After 3 years on the 494 visa, eligible visa holders may apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa, provided they meet income and residency requirements.

Who Can You Include in Your 494 Visa Application?

You can include the following family members:

• Your spouse or de facto partner
• Your or your partner’s dependent children
• Other dependent relatives (in limited cases)

However, all secondary applicants must meet health and character requirements, and the relationship with your partner must be genuine and ongoing.

Eligibility Criteria for Your Partner

To include your partner in your 494 visa application, the following conditions must be fulfilled:

• If married, you must provide a valid marriage certificate.
• If in a de facto relationship, you must show that you’ve lived together for at least 12 months and share financial and social responsibilities.
• Your partner must undergo medical examinations.
• A police clearance certificate is also required.
• Proof of language tests may be required if your partner wants to work or study in Australia.

Can My Partner Work or Study in Australia on a 494 Visa?

Yes! One of the key benefits of including your partner in your 494 visa application is that they get full work and study rights in regional Australia. Your partner can:

• Work for any employer (in regional areas)
• Study at any regional Australian institution

If you get married or enter a relationship after your 494 visa is granted, you can still sponsor your partner through a subsequent entrant application. You’ll need to lodge a separate application for your partner as a secondary applicant.

Make sure to notify the Department of Home Affairs and provide the necessary relationship evidence. At Cross Border Education, we can help you streamline this process to avoid delays or rejections.

Can My Partner Help Me Gain Australia PR?

Yes. If you and your partner have held the 494 visa for at least 3 years, meet the income threshold, and have complied with all visa conditions, you can jointly apply for the Subclass 191 visa, which leads to Australia PR. Including your partner from the start not only ensures you're together in Australia but also makes the PR process smoother later on.

Subclass 494 vs Subclass 491 – Know the Difference

Though your target visa is Subclass 494, it's useful to understand how it compares to the Subclass 491 visa, as both are provisional visas leading to permanent residency:

How Cross Border Education Can Help?

At Cross Border Education, we provide step-by-step guidance on partner inclusion and help gather required documentation for your spouse or de facto partner. Additionally, we assist in post-visa processes like subsequent entrant applications and prepare you for a successful Australia PR visa transition. We ensure that your move to Australia is not just a solo journey, but one where your loved ones move forward with you.

Conclusion

So, can you include your partner in your 494 visa application? Absolutely! and it’s a wise move both emotionally and practically. As long as your partner meets the eligibility criteria, they can enjoy the benefits of living, working, and studying in regional Australia alongside you.

Cross Border Education is here to support your journey toward Australia PR!