Subclass 191 · Skilled migration
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa
The subclass 191 is the permanent residence stage for people who spent three years on a 491 or 494 provisional visa in regional Australia. It is not points-tested and not invitation-based. If you held the provisional visa for three years, lived regionally, and had income above the threshold for three years, you qualify.
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- Stay period
- Permanent
- Permanent residence
- Yes, PR or a pathway to it
- Points tested
- No
- Age limit
- No age limit at this stage
- Base application charge
- About AUD 335 for the primary applicant
- Processing time
- Commonly 3 to 8 months
- English requirement
- No new English test required at the 191 stage
- Work experience
- No occupation requirement; the test is regional residence plus three years of income above the threshold
Who it’s for
You are eligible if you:
- Have held a subclass 491 or 494 visa (or a combination) for at least 3 years
- Complied with the conditions of that visa, meaning you lived, worked, and studied only in designated regional areas
- Had taxable income at or above the specified threshold for at least 3 income years while holding the provisional visa
- Meet health and character requirements
Pathway to permanent residence
The 191 is the permanent visa. After meeting residence requirements you can apply for citizenship.
The income test
You must show three ATO notices of assessment with taxable income at or above the threshold, currently AUD 53,900. The three years do not have to be consecutive, but they must fall within the period you held the provisional visa.
Living regionally
Home Affairs cross-checks addresses, employer records, and Medicare data. Short trips away are fine; relocating to Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane while on the 491 is not, and it will surface at the 191 stage.
Why the 491 to 191 route is worth considering
Regional nomination adds 15 points and regional lists are broader, so applicants who would wait years for a 189 invitation can often get a 491 quickly, then convert to permanent residence with nothing more than evidence of how they lived.
Visa conditions
No ongoing conditions. The 191 is a full permanent visa with the same rights as a 189 or 190.
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191): common questions
How much does the subclass 191 visa cost?
The base application charge for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) is About AUD 335 for the primary applicant. Family members you include each pay an additional charge, and there are separate costs for health checks, police certificates, and skills assessments.
How long does the subclass 191 visa take to process?
The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) is generally processed in Commonly 3 to 8 months. Times vary with your occupation, how complete your application is, and demand at the time.
Does the subclass 191 visa lead to permanent residence?
The 191 is the permanent visa. After meeting residence requirements you can apply for citizenship.
What is the age limit for the subclass 191 visa?
No age limit at this stage. Age is assessed at a specific point in the process, usually the date of invitation or application, so check exactly when before you plan around it.
How long can I stay on the subclass 191 visa?
Permanent.
This is general information, not immigration advice. Visa criteria change often, so always confirm the current rules on the Department of Home Affairs website or with a registered migration agent before you apply.