Subclass 191 · Skilled migration
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191)
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.
By Roman Lama
- 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
- From AUD 630 for the primary applicant. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens from 1 July 2026.
- 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:
- 1
Have held a subclass 491 or 494 visa (or a combination) for at least 3 years
- 2
Complied with the conditions of that visa, meaning you lived, worked, and studied only in designated regional areas
- 3
Lodged tax returns and hold ATO notices of assessment for at least 3 income years out of the 5 years of your eligible visa (there is no minimum income amount)
- 4
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 tax return requirement
You must show ATO notices of assessment for three income years out of the five years you held the provisional visa. The three years do not have to be consecutive. There is no minimum income amount: the AUD 53,900 threshold that applied when the 191 opened in 2022 has been removed, so what matters is that you lodged returns and the assessments exist, not how much you earned.
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?
Base application charge for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191): From AUD 630 for the primary applicant. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens from 1 July 2026. 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?
Typical processing time for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191): 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?
Stay period for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191): Permanent. The exact period and any conditions are set on your grant notice, so confirm yours on the Department of Home Affairs website or in VEVO before you plan travel, study or work around it.
Related guides and visas
Been through the permanent residence (skilled regional) visa yourself? Share what actually happened — it helps the next applicant more than another summary of the rules.
This is general information, not immigration advice, and Where To Apply is not a registered migration agent. Visa criteria change often, so always confirm the current rules on the Department of Home Affairs website or with a registered migration agent (check their MARN on the OMARA website) before you apply.