The Permanent Skilled Regional (subclass 191) visa is for people who have lived, worked and studied in designated regional area of Australia on a previous, eligible visa (such as the subclass 491 or subclass 494 visas).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the subclass 191 visa?
The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) is a pathway to permanent residency for skilled migrants who have lived and worked in designated regional areas of Australia on an eligible provisional visa.
With this visa, you can:
- Live in Australia permanently
- Work and study anywhere in Australia
- Sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency
- Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible)
- Access Medicare and other benefits available to permanent residents
Who is eligible for the subclass 191 visa?
To qualify for the Subclass 191 visa (Regional Provisional stream), you must:
- Hold an eligible visa
- Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional – Provisional)
- Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Provisional)
- You must have held this visa for at least 3 years
- Comply with visa conditions
- You must have met all conditions of your 491 or 494 visa, including Condition 8579, which requires you to live, work, and study only in designated regional areas
- You must have met all conditions of your 491 or 494 visa, including Condition 8579, which requires you to live, work, and study only in designated regional areas
- Live and work in a regional area
- Regional areas include all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Cities like Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Gold Coast, and Newcastle are considered regional
- Regional areas include all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Cities like Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Gold Coast, and Newcastle are considered regional
- Provide income evidence
- There is no minimum income threshold for the 191 visa application itself
- However, you must provide three years of Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Notices of Assessment from your time on the 491 or 494 visa
- Meet health and character requirements
- All applicants must pass health checks and provide police clearances
- All applicants must pass health checks and provide police clearances
- English language proficiency
- You must demonstrate competent English (e.g., IELTS 6.0 in each band) unless exempt
Key benefits of the subclass 191 visa
- Permanent residency with no regional restrictions after grant (you must comply with any conditions on your current visa whilst waiting for the subclass 191 visa grant)
- Pathway to citizenship
- Family inclusion: You can include your partner and dependent children in your application
- No sponsorship or nomination required for this visa stage
Important update (2025)
- There is no longer a fixed income threshold (previously $53,900) for the 191 visa application
- You still need to show tax records for three years during your provisional visa period
- The visa remains a two-step pathway: first hold a 491 or 494 visa, then apply for 191 after 3 years
If you would like to learn more about the new Permanent Skilled Regional visa (subclass 191), book a free 10 minute consultation online with one of our immigration lawyers.