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Subsequent Entrant Visa

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What is the 491 Subsequent Entrant Visa?

This is a visa pathway for family members (usually spouse/children) to join a primary 491 visa holder after the main applicant has already been granted the 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa.

In simple terms:
→ Primary applicant already holds 491
→ Family member applies later to come and live in Australia under the same visa conditions.

What This Visa Provides

  • Permission to live, work, and study in regional Australia (same restrictions as primary holder)
  • Access to public schooling
  • Healthcare rights under Medicare (once enrolled)
  • Pathway to PR when the primary applicant converts to Subclass 191

The end PR outcome is linked to the primary applicant, not assessed separately.

Who Is Eligible

Immediate family members of the main 491 holder:

No cousins, siblings, parents → unless the sponsorship stream permits (rare, case-specific).
CategoryEligibility
Spouse / De facto PartnerMust prove genuine ongoing relationship
Dependent ChildUnder 18, or between 18-23 if financially dependent
StepchildrenAllowed if legal responsibility exists

Key Requirements

The subsequent entrant must:
  • Show relationship evidence (marriage cert, joint finances, cohabitation, communication history)
  • Demonstrate functional English (minimum requirement)
  • If not met → applicant must pay the second VAC (English charge) later.
  • Meet health and character checks (mandatory medicals + police clearances)

Conditions & Restrictions (Important)

The new visa holder inherits all conditions of the primary visa holder:
ConditionMeaning
Regional Residence RequirementMust live ONLY in a designated regional area
Work ConditionMust work only in regional areas
TravelAllowed, but the primary applicant must maintain regional residency
PR PathwayYou receive PR only when the main applicant qualifies for the 191 visa
You cannot convert to PR independently—your PR outcome is tied to the primary applicant’s income and residency compliance.

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