Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191)

The Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa is a permanent residency pathway for skilled workers who have lived and worked in designated regional areas of Australia on an eligible provisional visa. It represents the second stage of the regional skilled migration pathway, allowing holders of Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional – Provisional) or Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Provisional) visas to transition to permanent residency after meeting specific requirements.

Introduced on 16 November 2022, the visa has become increasingly popular, with grants surging 55.4% in 2024–25 to reach approximately 2,500 approvals. As of March 2026, the visa remains active and accepting applications, with the Department of Home Affairs currently processing applications lodged from August 2025.

The 191 visa does not require:

• A new skills assessment or nomination
• A new Expression of Interest (EOI) or state sponsorship/nomination
• A points test
• English language proficiency

Government Fees

• AUD 505.00 for the main applicant
• AUD 250.00 for each additional applicant who is at least 18
• AUD 130.00 for each additional applicant who is less than 18

You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates, and biometrics.

Additional Costs

• Health examinations: Costs vary depending on your country of residence and the specific examinations required. Budget between AUD 300–800 per person for comprehensive health checks by approved panel physicians.
• Character documents: Police certificates and character documents from countries where you've lived for 12 months or more. Costs vary by country but typically range from AUD 20–200 per document.
• Professional services: If you engage a migration agent, professional fees are typically charged on a fixed fee basis.

Hong Kong Stream

There is a separate Hong Kong Stream for holders of Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passports. The cost for dependents below 18 years old is AUD 1,230, the cost for a dependent applicant 18 years old and above is AUD 2,450, and the cost for the main applicant is AUD 4,910. A second instalment of AUD 4,885 might be necessary if your dependent, who is over 18 years old, has less than Functional English.

Official Processing Time Guidance

For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool on the Department of Home Affairs website. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.

The Department assesses applications on a case-by-case basis. Actual processing times can vary due to individual circumstances including:

• Whether you have submitted a complete application, including all supporting documents
• The time taken for you to respond to requests for more information
• The time it takes to perform required checks on supporting information provided
• The time it takes to receive more information from external agencies, particularly about health, character, and national security requirements
• How many places are available in the migration program

Current Processing Time Data

As of 2025–2026:

• 50% of applications are processed in 7–9 months
• 90% are processed in 13–14 months
• Some sources indicate the Department currently processes most applications within 2–4 months, with complicated applications taking up to a year

Processing times have stabilized since the visa subclass opened on 16 November 2022.

Factors Affecting Processing Speed

Factors influencing processing speed include:

• Program caps (2025 allocation: 3,000 spots, 80% filled by Q3)
• Application volume
• Staffing changes
• Modifications in immigration policy or regulations
• Resource allocation

Submitting a well-prepared application with supporting evidence will help reduce delays and improve your success.

Income Requirement Clarification (2023)

As of June 2023, there is no minimum income threshold. This represents a significant change from earlier policy discussions. The Department requires evidence of economic contribution through ATO Notices of Assessment, but does not mandate a specific minimum income amount.

Residency Requirement Clarification (2025)

The Department of Home Affairs has clarified that continuous physical residence in Australia is not required to apply for the Subclass 191 visa. Instead, the key requirement is compliance with visa condition 8579, which mandates that holders of Subclass 491 and 494 visas live, work, and study exclusively in designated regional areas while in Australia. This clarification ended years of confusion about whether applicants needed to remain in Australia continuously for three years.

Processing Priority Updates (2025)

The Department processes Skilled visa applications according to Ministerial Direction No. 105. As of March 2026, the Department is processing Subclass 191 applications lodged from August 2025.

Timing Eligibility Correctly

You must wait exactly three years from your 491 grant date. Applying early results in automatic refusal and wasted fees. The three-year period is calculated from the visa grant date, not the date you arrived in Australia.

Documentation Completeness

The most common 191 refusal reason is "insufficient evidence" of regional compliance. Compile comprehensive documentation proving continuous Condition 8579 compliance throughout the three-year period, organizing residential leases, employment contracts, utility bills, bank statements, and Medicare claims chronologically to demonstrate unquestionable regional presence.

ATO Notices of Assessment

Missing or late-lodged tax returns jeopardize 191 applications. Review your ATO Notice of Assessment history early, identifying gaps before lodgment. If you haven't lodged all required returns or have incomplete tax records, address these issues properly to meet Department requirements.

Income Requirement Misconception

A common misconception is that there is a high "minimum salary" to meet. As of 2026, there is no minimum income threshold for the Subclass 191 visa. However, you must provide three Notices of Assessment (NOA) from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) issued during the period you held your provisional visa. Even if your income was low, you must have filed your tax returns and obtained these notices to qualify.

No New Skills Assessment or Nomination Required

The 191 has no occupation list and requires no new skills assessment. Even if your occupation was removed from skilled migration lists or your skills assessment expired, you remain eligible based solely on your 491 holding period and regional compliance.

Employment Flexibility

You can change employers, occupations, or industries freely. The 191 doesn't require continuous employment in your nominated occupation, just evidence of regional living and working.

Visa Condition Compliance

Breaching Condition 8579 jeopardizes both your 491 visa and 191 eligibility. The Department can cancel your 491 for serious breaches. Maintain regional compliance throughout your provisional visa period.

Application Completeness

The Department can refuse incomplete applications outright. Provide customized checklists ensuring every mandatory document—491 grant letter, three ATO Notices, regional residence evidence, employment proof, health examinations, and police clearances—is included and properly certified before lodgment.

Front-Loading Documentation

Front-loading your application with all three NOAs and updated police checks is the fastest way to bypass delays.

State Nomination Program Closures

Victoria has closed its 2024–25 state-nominated skilled visa program to new Registrations of Interest (ROIs). The state received more than 5,000 ROIs, exceeding its allocation of 2,000 places for the Subclass 491 visa and 3,000 places for the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190). This highlights the importance of submitting ROIs early in the program year if pursuing the 491 pathway first.

The Subclass 191 visa has a separate Hong Kong Stream for holders of Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passports. For HK Stream applicants, there is a separate AUD 4,910 fee; extended residency requirements apply. 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.

Permanent Residency: You can stay in Australia permanently and let you stay in Australia indefinitely.

Work and Study: You can work and study in Australia without restrictions.

English Language Support: You can attend free English language classes through the Adult Migrant English Program, if eligible.

Healthcare: You can enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare.

Family Sponsorship: You can sponsor your relatives to come to Australia.

Travel: You can travel to and from Australia for 5 years. The visa has a travel component that expires 5 years after the date of visa grant. If you wish to travel after this date, you must apply for a Resident Return visa.

Citizenship Pathway: If eligible, you can become an Australian citizen. After four years of permanent residency (including 12 months as a PR holder), you're eligible for Australian citizenship. Your three years on 491 count toward this requirement, so most 191 holders can apply for citizenship just 1–2 years after 191 approval.

Regional Restrictions Removed: Once granted, Condition 8579 disappears. You can immediately relocate to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or anywhere in Australia. No more regional restrictions or monitoring.

Citizenship Commencement: For citizenship purposes, your permanent residence starts on the day the Department grants the visa if you are in Australia.

Family Inclusion: You can include members of the family unit in your application. You can include them when you lodge your visa application or add them after you lodge your application but before the Department decides on your visa. Generally, family members included in your application do not need an eligible visa. Family members must hold an eligible visa if they no longer meet the standard definition of member of the family unit and you include them in your application.

Government Benefits: Newly arrived residents may need to wait before they can access certain Australian Government payments and benefits.