Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (subclass 191)
The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) is a permanent visa for people who have lived and worked in a designated regional area of Australia for at least three years on an eligible provisional visa, either the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) or the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494). It lets you stay in Australia indefinitely, and is the final step in the regional migration pathway.
What Is the Subclass 191 Visa?
The subclass 191 visa is the permanent residence pathway for holders of regional provisional visas. Applicants become eligible once they have completed three years on a subclass 491 or 494 visa. The visa is currently open and available, and it is the Department of Home Affairs’ official pathway from regional provisional visas to permanent residence.
Who Is Eligible for the Subclass 191 Visa?
To be eligible, you generally need to meet all of the following:
- Eligible visa: you hold, or have held, a subclass 491 or subclass 494 visa.
- Three years in a designated regional area: you have lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least three years while holding that visa.
- Income evidence: you can show three years of taxable income during your eligible visa period, usually through Australian Taxation Office (ATO) notices of assessment. See the income section below.
- Compliance with visa conditions: both primary and secondary applicants have complied with the conditions of the eligible visa they hold or have held.
What Counts as a Designated Regional Area?
For migration purposes, most of Australia outside the major cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane is a designated regional area. This includes locations such as the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin, as well as smaller regional and rural communities. Boundaries are set by postcode, so always check your home and workplace postcodes against the Department of Home Affairs’ designated regional area postcode list before relying on a location.
What Are the Benefits of the Subclass 191 Visa?
As a permanent resident, you can:
- live, work and study anywhere in Australia, with no regional location restriction;
- enrol in Medicare;
- sponsor eligible relatives to join you in Australia;
- travel to and from Australia for five years (after which you can apply for a resident return visa if you wish to continue travelling); and
- apply for Australian citizenship once you meet the residence and character requirements.
How Do I Apply for the Subclass 191 Visa?
- Check your eligibility. Confirm your visa history, your time in a designated regional area, your income evidence and your compliance with visa conditions.
- Gather your evidence. This typically includes ATO notices of assessment, proof of where you have lived and worked, employment records and identity documents for every person on the application.
- Lodge your application online through ImmiAccount, including health and character information as required.
- Respond to any requests for further information from the Department while your application is processed.
Application charges and processing times change regularly. Check the current visa application charge and the Department’s global visa processing times before you lodge.
How Can Ramsden Law Help with Your Subclass 191 Application?
Our migration lawyers are experienced in all types of skilled visas and can support both employers and visa applicants. We can assist with:
- advising on the requirements and process for the visa, including any sponsorship, nomination and visa application steps that apply to your circumstances;
- preparing a tailored document checklist so you know exactly what evidence is needed;
- collating and reviewing your documents before lodgement;
- preparing detailed submissions to the Department of Home Affairs that address each requirement and explain the evidence provided;
- preparing and lodging your visa application, and any related sponsorship application, with supporting evidence; and
- advising on the status of your application, ongoing obligations and current processing times.
If you are still on a regional provisional visa, we can also help you plan ahead so your evidence is ready when you reach the three-year mark. See our pages on the subclass 491 visa and the subclass 494 visa.
Whether you are planning ahead or ready to lodge, our team can review your circumstances and help you prepare a well-supported application.
Ramsden Law assists employers and visa holders with skilled and regional visa applications from our offices in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne. Book an initial consultation to check whether you are ready to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the subclass 191 visa still valid?
Yes. The subclass 191 visa is current and open for applications. It is the permanent residence pathway for holders of subclass 491 and 494 visas.
How long do I need to hold a 491 or 494 visa before applying for a 191 visa?
You must have held your eligible visa for at least three years and lived and worked in a designated regional area during that time.
Can I apply for a 191 visa if I live in the Gold Coast?
Yes. The Gold Coast is a designated regional area for migration purposes, unlike Greater Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Always confirm your specific postcode.
Is there a minimum income for the 191 visa?
No dollar threshold is set in the legislation. You need to provide ATO notices of assessment for three income years within your eligible visa period.
Can my family be included in a 191 visa application?
Yes. Eligible family members who were included on your provisional visa may be able to apply with you, and they must also have complied with their visa conditions.
Can the 191 visa lead to Australian citizenship?
Yes. Permanent residents can apply for citizenship once they meet the residence, character and other requirements.
