If you’ve been living and working in regional Australia under a temporary visa and are now ready to settle permanently, the Permanent Residence Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 191) could be your golden opportunity. The 191 visa offers a direct route to permanent residency for skilled workers who have contributed to regional areas of Australia.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain the 191 visa requirements, eligibility criteria, application process, benefits, costs, and processing time — everything you need to know to plan your PR journey confidently.
The 191 visa, officially known as the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191), allows eligible skilled workers who have lived and worked in designated regional areas of Australia to apply for permanent residency.
It’s designed for people who previously held a regional provisional visa, such as the Subclass 491 or visa subclass 494, and have met specific conditions during their stay.
Once granted, the 191 visa lets you live, work, and study anywhere in Australia permanently.
The permanent residence skilled regional visa was introduced to encourage skilled workers to stay and contribute to the growth of Australia’s regional economies. It provides an incentive for migrants to commit long-term to areas that need skilled labor, helping balance population and development across the country.
By meeting the 191 visa requirements, you demonstrate that you have supported regional communities and fulfilled the purpose of Australia’s regional migration strategy.
There are two main streams under the subclass 191 visa:
This stream is for those who have held an eligible regional provisional visa (such as Subclass 491 or 494) for at least three years and have met the required income threshold.
This stream applies to Hong Kong passport holders who have lived in Australia for at least four years on a qualifying visa and meet the residency and character requirements.
To apply for a subclass 191 visa, you must meet several 191 visa eligibility and 191 visa criteria conditions. These include:
You must have held one of the following for at least three years:
You must have complied with all the 191 visa conditions and your previous visa requirements during your stay in regional Australia.
You must meet the 191 visa income requirement, which means showing that your taxable income for each of the three years was at least equal to the income threshold set by the Department of Home Affairs.
You and your family must have lived in a designated regional area for at least three years before applying.
All applicants must meet Australian health and character standards before the 191 visa application is processed.
You should have no unpaid debts to the Australian Government.
Preparing your 191 visa application requires gathering and submitting several important documents, such as:
Passport and identity documents
Tax assessment notices from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
Employment records showing compliance with income and work requirements
Health and police clearance certificates
Proof of residence in a designated regional area
Relationship documents (if applying with family)
Having all these documents ready helps avoid delays in the 191 visa processing time.
Here’s a simple breakdown of how to apply for the subclass 191 visa:
Confirm you meet all subclass 191 visa requirements, including the minimum income threshold and regional residence duration.
Collect all required documents such as tax records, proof of residence, and employment details.
Submit your 191 visa application through the official Department of Home Affairs website via your ImmiAccount.
Pay the 191 visa application fee during submission. The payment confirms your application.
The department will review your documents and may request additional information.
Once approved, you’ll receive your Permanent Residence Skilled Regional Visa, allowing you to live permanently in Australia.
The 191 visa fee varies depending on whether you are applying as a main applicant or including dependents.
As of now, the 191 visa application fee for the primary applicant is AUD 475. Additional charges apply for family members included in your application.
Note: Fees are subject to change, so always check the latest updates on the official Australian Government immigration website before applying.
The 191 visa processing time depends on factors such as:
Completeness of your application
Accuracy of supporting documents
Department workload and verification processes
On average, subclass 191 visa applications take 6 to 12 months to process. Applicants with accurate documents and timely submissions may experience faster results.
Let’s summarize the 191 visa requirements for easy reference:
Hold a qualifying provisional visa (491 or 494) for at least three years
Have lived and worked in a regional area for at least three years
Meet the 191 visa income requirement each year
Comply with all 191 visa conditions during your stay
Pass health and character checks
Have no outstanding government debts
Meeting these subclass 191 visa requirements is crucial to avoid refusal or delays in your application.
Once you receive your Permanent Residence Skilled Regional Visa, you’ll enjoy several privileges:
The 191 regional visa grants you the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia permanently.
You’re no longer restricted to regional areas. You can move to any city or state.
As a permanent resident, you can access Australia’s public healthcare system, Medicare.
After meeting residency requirements, you may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.
You can sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia.
You can travel in and out of Australia freely for up to five years from the visa grant date.
The Australian Government designed the 191 visa benefits to reward skilled migrants for contributing to regional development.
To qualify, you must comply with all 191 visa conditions tied to your previous visa (491 or 494). These conditions typically require:
Living and working in designated regional areas
Earning above the required income threshold
Maintaining valid health insurance (if applicable)
Failure to comply with these conditions could affect your eligibility for the subclass 191 visa.
Here are some expert tips to improve your chances of approval:
Keep Accurate Tax Records: Maintain three years of ATO tax notices as proof of income.
Track Your Residence: Keep utility bills and lease agreements to prove regional residence.
Apply Early: Don’t wait until the last moment; start preparing once you meet eligibility.
Double-Check Documents: Incomplete or incorrect documents cause major delays.
Seek Professional Guidance: Consulting a registered migration agent ensures compliance with every 191 visa requirement.
Many applicants face delays or rejections due to avoidable mistakes. Avoid these pitfalls:
Not meeting the 191 visa income requirement each year
Living outside designated regional areas
Submitting incorrect or incomplete forms
Missing health or character documentation
Ignoring email requests from the Department
Taking care of these issues early ensures a smoother 191 visa application experience.
The Permanent Residence Skilled Regional Visa Subclass 191 offers an excellent pathway to permanent residency for skilled migrants who have supported regional Australia. By understanding and meeting the 191 visa requirements, maintaining the income threshold, and submitting a complete 191 visa application, you can transition from a temporary resident to a proud Australian permanent resident.
If you’ve already contributed to a regional community and are ready for the next step in your migration journey, the 191 regional visa is your perfect opportunity to build a secure and prosperous life in Australia.
Anyone who has held a 491 or 494 visa for at least three years, met the income requirement, and lived in a regional area can apply.
You must meet the minimum taxable income threshold for each of the three years before applying. The specific amount is updated annually by the Department of Home Affairs.
The 191 visa processing time generally ranges from 6 to 12 months, depending on your case and document completeness.
Yes, you can include eligible family members in your 191 visa application, provided they meet health and character requirements.
The 191 visa fee starts at AUD 475 for the main applicant, with additional charges for dependents.
Yes, the subclass 191 visa grants permanent residency, allowing you to live and work in Australia indefinitely.
Yes, after holding the visa and meeting residency conditions, you can apply for Australian citizenship.
