Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)

The visa 191 category in Australia, or also known as the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, allows skilled individuals who have lived and worked in designated regional areas of Australia for at least three years on an eligible visa to live and work in Australia permanently.

Subclass: 191 Visa
Stay Duration: Permanently
DoHA Fee: AUD435 for the main applicant. Additional AUD220 is required for every additional applicant aged 18 years and above, while AUD 110 for those below 18 years.

To be eligible for 191 visa, you must:

Have held an eligible visa (such as subclass 491 or 494) for at least three years
Have lived and worked in a designated regional area of Australia for at least three years
Meet the health and character requirements
Have complied with the conditions of your eligible visa

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191 Visa Stream

Regional Provisional stream

For people who hold a subclass 491 or 494 visa.

Hong Kong stream

For eligible Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders who have demonstrated a commitment to Australia.

Once you are granted the visa 191, you will be able to:

Live and work in Australia permanently
Study in Australia
Enroll in Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare scheme)
Sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
Travel to and from Australia for five years
Apply for Australian citizenship if eligible

191 Visa Conditions

As the visa applicant, you must,

hold an eligible visa
have lived for at least 3 years and have a taxable income at or above a specific income threshold for at least three years
both primary and secondary applicants have complied with the conditions of the eligible visa you hold or have held

191 Visa Eligibility

You must be in Australia when you apply for this visa. You must also be in Australia for the grant of this visa.
You must have held an eligible visa (subclass 491 or subclass 494 visa) for at least 3 years, have complied with the conditions on that visa and have met minimum taxable income requirements.
Meet all the health and character requirements

Benefits of the 191 visa in Australia

The 191 visa, or Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, offers numerous benefits to skilled individuals and their families who have lived and worked in regional Australia:

stay in Australia permanently
work and study in Australia
enroll in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare
sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
travel to and from Australia for 5 years
if eligible, apply for Australian citizenship

191 Visa Processing Time

The processing time for Visa 191 varies depending on your unique circumstances. We recommend that you completely and truthfully fill in your application form and submit all required documents and information to avoid delays in your application.

Effect on Current Regional Visas

The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa (subclass 187) and the Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 489) will close to new applicants from November 16, 2019. Transitional arrangements will be put in place for applications which have been lodged and are undecided at that time, as well as applicants whose pathway currently targets the permanent Skilled Regional Visa (subclass 887).

Regional Areas for Migration Purposes

Most locations in Australia outside major cities (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) are classed as designated regional areas for migration purposes.

The regional definition is comprised of 3 categories and offers regional incentives for skilled migrants who migrate to locations classified as Category 2 ‘Cities and Major Regional Centres’ or Category 3 ‘Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas’

Category 2 – ‘Cities and Major Regional Centres’ of Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart

Category 3 – ‘Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas

General notes for 191 visa applicants

The visa validity period is 5 years. Conditions will be imposed which will enforce the government’s intentions that visa holders live, work and study only in regional areas (condition 8579) and if employer sponsored, only in the nominated position.
The visa has a travel component that expires 5 years after the date of visa grant.
You can include members of the family unit in your application if they currently hold an eligible visa. You must include each family member who is eligible to apply for this visa at the time you lodge your application. You can’t add family members after you have submitted your application.
You might have to pay an extra charge for any applicant 18 years old or older who has less than functional English. This charge is called the second instalment charge. You need to pay it only when DOHA asks you to. DOHA asks for the charge only if the visa will be granted. The second instalment charge amount will be announced closer to the commencement date.

Please book a consultation with one of our expert registered migration agents to understand the requirements of this visa.

How can KBA Global assist you with this 191 visa application?

With a team of experts led by registered migration agents, KBA Global proudly stands as one of the very few highly trusted consultancies for its efficient, reliable services, and high visa success rates.

At KBA Global, all of our clients are served by highly qualified and trained migration agents who review each case thoroughly in adherence to the requirements set by the respective authorities.

Our expert and experienced migration agents will provide personalized service for your needs and availability to ensure your visa success. We are there for you to provide an in-depth understanding of what is required to get the visa and will provide help throughout the visa process.

Apply for 191 Visa today and live permanently in Australia.

We have a team of skilled, experienced, registered migration agents and education consultants from a variety of professional backgrounds waiting to help you.
With years of experience offering Migration and Visa Services, we can provide you with insights and guidance in obtaining your permanent residence visa. We answer any questions or concerns you may have about the full visa requirements, your eligibility and other suitable visa alternatives for you, industry news or updates, and the necessary documents you need to undergo as part of the application process.

191 visa Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a 190 and a 191 visa?

Both the 190 and 191 visas are skilled visas that lead to permanent residency in Australia. However, there are key differences between the two:

Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated visa:

Location: You can live and work anywhere in Australia.
Nomination: Requires nomination from an Australian state or territory government.
Points-tested: You need to score at least 65 points in the points test to be eligible.
Processing Time: Generally faster processing time than the 191 visa.

Subclass 191 – Skilled Regional visa:

Location: Requires you to have lived and worked in a designated regional area of Australia for at least three years on an eligible visa (subclass 491 or 494).
Nomination: No state or territory nomination is required.
Points-tested: Not points-tested. However, you must meet certain criteria, such as income requirements.
Processing Time: Generally longer processing time than the 190 visa.

Which visa is right for you?

If you have a strong connection to a particular state or territory and are willing to live and work there, the 190 visa might be a good option.
If you are willing to live and work in a regional area for at least three years, the 191 visa could be a better fit.

The best visa for you will depend on your individual circumstances and preferences. It is important to research both visas carefully and compare the requirements and benefits before making a decision.

How long does a 191 visa take to process?

Check this 191 visa processing time article for full details, however process can vary depending on several factors, including:

Completeness of the application: Ensure you submit a complete application with all required documentation. Incomplete applications will take longer to process.
Complexity of the case: Applications with complex situations may require additional processing time.
Volume of applications: Processing times can also be influenced by the number of applications being processed at a given time.

However, based on the latest information available from the Department of Home Affairs and other migration agencies, here’s an estimated processing time: