Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494): Subsequent Entrant Stream
The 494 visa Australia Subsequent Entrant stream lets family members join a primary 494 visa holder in regional Australia. If your partner or parent holds a 494 visa and you weren’t included in their original application, this is how you reunite with them.
With the student visa subclass 500, you can
Stay
Up to 5 years (expires same time as primary visa holder)
Cost
From AUD4,910.00
Work Rights
Work only in designated regional areas
Study
Study in designated regional areas
PR Pathway
Apply for Subclass 191 with the primary visa holder after 3 years
What is the Subsequent Entrant Stream?
Usually, family members apply for the 494 visa at the same time as the primary applicant. But sometimes that’s not possible—family circumstances may change after the primary application is submitted or after the visa is granted.
If your family member already holds (or has applied for) a 494 visa and you want to join them, you apply as a subsequent entrant.
Important requirement: You need a written letter from your family member’s work sponsor (employer) extending their sponsorship obligation to include you. The employer must agree to this—discuss it with them before applying.
With this visa, you can:
- Stay in Australia while the visa is valid
- Live, work, and study only in designated regional areas for up to 5 years
- Travel to and from Australia freely up to 5 years
Eligibility Requirements
You must be a member of the family unit of a primary 494 visa holder or main applicant for a 494 visa.
The work sponsor (employer) with the most recently approved nomination for the primary visa holder must agree in writing to extend their sponsorship to include you as a family member.
This requirement ensures the employer is aware of all family members to whom their sponsorship obligations will extend.
Discuss this with the work sponsor first before lodging your application.
You must have Functional English. If you can't demonstrate this, you'll need to pay the second instalment.
You must meet health requirements.
If 16 years or older, you must meet character requirements.
Note: If the primary visa holder's sponsor is an accredited sponsor, you may not need overseas police certificates—a reference from the accredited sponsor confirming good character and no criminal convictions may suffice. You still need Australian police clearances where applicable.
Any debts must be paid or under formal arrangement.
If 16 or older, read (or have explained) the Life in Australia booklet and sign the Australian Values Statement.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Before You Apply
Before applying, you must obtain a written letter from the work sponsor agreeing to extend their sponsorship obligation to include you.
Ask the work sponsor for the Transaction Reference Number of the nomination application.
Complete before or after you apply.
If using assistance, ensure they're MARA-registered, a legal practitioner, or exempt.
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
- Passport (photo page, personal details, issue/expiry dates)
- National identity card (if applicable)
- Proof of name change (marriage certificate, divorce certificate, deed poll, or other documents)
Written letter from the work sponsor extending their sponsorship obligation to include you as a family member
Evidence of Functional English (or be prepared to pay second instalment)
- Australian Federal Police certificate (complete disclosure) if 12+ months in Australia since turning 16
- Overseas police certificates from every country (including home country) where you've spent 12+ months in the last 10 years since turning 16
- Military records (if applicable)
Note: If the primary holder's sponsor is accredited, you may provide a reference from the sponsor confirming good character instead of overseas police certificates. Australian clearances still required.
- Identity documents
- Character documents
- Marriage certificate, OR evidence of 12+ months de facto relationship with the primary 494 holder (joint bank accounts, billing in joint names, joint leases/mortgages, proof of same address)
- Identity documents (under 5 don't need passport)
- Character documents (if applicable)
- Form 1229 consent from non-travelling parent, OR statutory declaration
- ID with signature and photo of person who completed the form
- Identity documents
- Character documents
- Documents about other relationships (if applicable)
- Form 47a
- Proof of relationship
- Proof of financial dependency for 12+ months
- Proof of Functional English (or pay second instalment)
- Form 956A (to receive correspondence)
- Form 956 (for immigration assistance)
- Translate all non-English documents (NAATI-accredited in Australia)
- Scan in colour, clearly legible
- Combine multi-page documents into single files
Step 3: Apply Online
Submit through ImmiAccount. You can be in or outside Australia (not in immigration clearance).
If in Australia, you must hold a substantive visa or Bridging visa A, B, or C.
- Log in or create ImmiAccount
- Complete the application
- Attach all documents (including sponsor letter)
- Pay the visa application charge
- Note your TRN
Step 4: After You Apply
You can be in or outside Australia.
The Department can't provide updates within standard processing times.
If in Australia, you can travel during processing with a valid visa to return.
If required after lodgement, check ImmiAccount.
May be requested.
Maintain valid visa status. Don't ask to cancel your current visa.
If applicable, invoiced after other requirements met.
Complete Form 1023 as soon as possible.
Tell the Department about contact, passport, relationship, or family changes.
Step 5: Visa Decision
You can be in or outside Australia. The primary visa holder’s 494 visa must have been granted before yours can be granted.
If Approved: Written notification with grant number, start date, conditions.
If Refused: Reasons and review rights. Fee not refunded.
Including Family in Your Student Visa Application Australia
You can bring:
- Your partner (married or de facto)
- Dependent children under 18 (unmarried)
Critical rule: Declare all family members in your application—even if they’re not travelling with you. Undeclared family members cannot get Student visas to join you later. No exceptions.
Children who turn 18 before your visa is granted must apply for their own visa.
494 Visa Cost (Subsequent Entrant)
- Applicant Type
- Cost
- Subsequent entrant
- AUD4,910.00
- Second instalment (if 18+ without Functional English)
- AUD4,890.00
- Additional applicant charge 18 and over
- AUD2,455.00
- Additional applicant charge under 18
- AUD1,230.00
Additional costs: English tests, health exams, police certificates, and biometrics.
Processing Time
Processing times vary. Use the Department’s guide for current estimates.
Factors affecting timing:
- Application completeness
- Response time to requests
- Verification of information
- External agency checks
Your Obligations
- Obey all Australian laws
- Live, work, and study only in designated regional areas
Travel: Unlimited while valid. Time outside doesn’t extend the visa.
Visa Label: Digitally linked to passport—no physical label.
How Long Can You Stay?
This is a provisional visa. You can stay for up to 5 years—your visa expires at the same time as the primary 494 holder’s visa.
You can’t extend this visa. If eligible, you can apply for permanent residence (Subclass 191) with the primary visa holder after they’ve held their visa for 3 years.
After You Have This Visa
What You Can Do
- Live, work, and study only in designated regional areas
- Travel freely while valid
- If eligible, apply for permanent residence with the primary visa holder
Working
You can work only in designated regional areas. You’re protected by Australian workplace law.
Leaving Australia
Before leaving, ensure you have a valid passport. Check your visa conditions in VEVO.
If you’re leaving permanently and worked in Australia while 18+ and earned AUD450+/month, you may have superannuation to claim.
Why Work With The Migration?
We’ve helped students in every situation you can imagine. First-time applicants. People with previous refusals. Students who need strategic course advice for PR pathways. Applicants with complex financial situations.
Eligibility Assessment
We confirm you qualify as a family member of the primary 494 holder.
Sponsor Coordination
We help obtain the written letter extending sponsorship to include you.
Document Preparation
We organise identity, relationship, and character evidence completely.
English Evidence
We assess your Functional English or advise on second instalment options.
Application Lodgement
We submit complete applications aligned with the primary holder's visa.
PR Pathway Planning
We guide you on applying for Subclass 191 with your family member.
Ready to Join Your Family in Regional Australia?
Let’s make sure your subsequent entrant application is complete and properly coordinated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Subsequent Entrant stream?
It allows family members of a primary 494 visa holder to apply separately to join them in Australia if they weren’t included in the original application.
Do I need the employer's permission?
Yes. You must have a written letter from the primary visa holder’s work sponsor agreeing to extend their sponsorship to include you.
Yes. You must have a written letter from the primary visa holder's work sponsor agreeing to extend their sponsorship to include you.
Up to 5 years, but your visa expires at the same time as the primary 494 holder’s visa.
Can I apply for permanent residence?
Yes, with the primary visa holder after they’ve held their 494 for 3 years, you can apply for the Subclass 191 if eligible.
What English level do I need?
Functional English. If you can’t demonstrate this, you’ll need to pay a second instalment of AUD4,890.
What if the employer won't provide a letter?
Without the employer’s written agreement to extend their sponsorship, you cannot apply for this stream. You may need to explore other visa options.
