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Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) – 191 visa

191 visa

The 191 visa (Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)) is a key pathway to Australian permanent residency for skilled workers who have lived and worked in designated regional areas. Designed as the natural next step after holding a 491 visa or 494 regional visa, the 191 visa rewards applicants who have contributed to regional communities and met the required income and residency conditions.

With the Subclass 191 visa, you and your family can enjoy the security of permanent residency, including unrestricted work rights, access to Medicare, and a pathway to Australian citizenship. The visa is especially attractive for those who began their journey on a temporary regional visa and are now ready to transition to permanent residency.

To qualify, applicants generally must have held a 491 or 494 visa for at least three years, demonstrated compliance with visa conditions, and met minimum income thresholds. While the 191 visa does not have an age limit at the time of application, all applicants must satisfy health and character requirements.

FAQs - frequently asked questions

Eligibility Criteria for the 191 Visa

To meet the 191 visa requirements under the Skilled Regional (Permanent Residence) pathway, applicants must:

  • Hold an eligible 491 visa or 494 visa at the time of application

  • Have lived and worked in a designated regional area of Australia for at least three years

  • Provide Australian Taxation Office (ATO) notices of assessment for three income years to show compliance with tax obligations

  • Demonstrate that all 491 or 494 visa conditions have been fully met during the qualifying period

  • Satisfy the health and character requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs

  • Include eligible family members in the application if they also meet the subclass 191 visa conditions

There is no age limit for the Subclass 191 visa. Unlike many skilled visas, applicants of any age can apply, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

There is no English requirement for this visa.

Processing times vary, but during 2025 the 191 visa processing time is between 4 to 12 months, depending on the completeness of your application and the Department’s caseload.

Yes. You can include eligible family members, such as your partner and dependent children, in your application.

The 191 visa fee in 2025 starts from $505 for the main applicant, with additional charges of $250 for partners and $130 dependent children. Fees are reviewed annually by the Department of Home Affairs.

No, there isn’t a legislated amount you need to earn each year but you must provide ATO notices of assessment for three income years during your 491 or 494 visa. This demonstrates that you were actively working and meeting visa obligations in Australia.

Yes. Once you meet the three-year work and residency requirements and have the necessary tax assessments, you can transition from a 491 visa to a 191 visa. Unlike other visas, this transition is completely independent and does not require employer sponsorship. You apply directly to the Department of Home Affairs once you meet the eligibility conditions. In addition, secondary applicants who were included in the original 491 visa may be able to apply as primary applicants for the 191 visa, provided they independently meet the requirements.

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