Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa

Updated July 2024

Visa 191 Australia Overview

The Visa 191 Australia or Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa allows a worker who has lived and worked in a designated regional area in Australia for at least 3 years while holding an eligible visa, such as a 494 Visa or 491 Visa, or holds a specific country’s passport to get a chance to stay in Australia permanently. Visa 191 has two streams: the Regional Provisional Stream and the Hong Kong Stream. Find out the 191 Visa requirements, processing time, and cost explained below.

Skilled Regional Permanent Resident (Subclass 191) streams

There are two streams available for Skilled Regional Permanent Resident Visa (subclass 191) Australia:

Regional Provisional Stream

Allowing those who have held an applicable visa and resided and worked in particular regions of Australia to live in the country permanently. You need to have followed the conditions on your previous visa.

Hong Kong Stream

Allowing the qualified holders of Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passports who have shown a strong commitment to Australia to live and work in the country permanently.

Requirements for Visa 191 Australia

Each stream of Visa 191 Australia has different requirements, and to be eligible to apply for one of the streams, you must satisfy the following requirements:

Requirements for 191 Visa – Regional Provisional Stream

Have held a 491 Visa or 494 visa for at least 3 years before you apply.
Have lived, worked and studied in a designated regional area of Australia.
Have complied with the conditions of your previous visa.
Meet the health and character requirements.

Starting from 20 June 2023, there’s no minimum income requirement for the Regional Provisional stream. However, you must provide Notices of Assessment issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for the duration of 3 years within the 5-year validity period of your previous visa.

Requirements for 191 Visa – Hong Kong Stream

Have held either 457 Visa or 482 Visa or 485 Visa for at least 3 years as the main holder.
Hold a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport.
Lived, worked and studied in a designated regional area for at least 3 years.
Have complied with all conditions on your previous visa.
Have at least Functional English proficiency.
Meet the health and character requirements.

Benefits for Visa 191 Australia Holders

You can study, work and live as a Permanent Resident in Australia.
You can enroll in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare.
You can sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia.
You can travel to and from Australia for up to 5 years. After that period, you will need to apply for a Resident Return (RRV) visa to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
Apply for Australian Citizenship if meeting the criteria.

Visa 191 Australia Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Check your eligibility

First thing first, check your eligibility for a 191 Visa. You must meet all requirements, including the residency requirements.

Step 2: Gather all documents

Collect all required documents to prove you have met the criteria, including your identity, character, and other documents. If you include your family members (spouse and/or children), you must gather the same documents to prove they have met the specific criterion for visa dependent.

Step 3: Lodge the visa application

After collecting all documents, you may lodge your visa application online through IMMIAccount. You can be inside or outside Australia when applying.

Ensure you submit your 191 Visa before your 494 Visa or 491 Visa expires.

Step 4: After visa lodgment

The Department of Home Affairs will acknowledge that the application has been received. If a Bridging visa is needed, the Department of Home Affairs will grant you the Bridging Visa. The Bridging Visa allows you to remain in the country until the decision is finalised.

Step 5: 191 Visa Outcome

The Department of Home Affairs will send you a written notification of the decision. When the decision on your visa application is finalised, you may be inside or outside Australia.

191 Visa Cost

The 191 Visa Cost varies depending on the stream.

Cost for 191 Visa – Regional Provisional Stream:

The cost for the main applicant is AUD 490
The cost for a dependent applicant 18 years old and above is AUD 245
The cost for dependents below 18 years old is AUD 125

Cost for 191 Visa – Hong Kong Stream:

The cost for the main applicant is AUD 4,765
The cost for a dependent applicant 18 years old and above is AUD 2,380
The cost for dependents below 18 years old is AUD 1,195

The second instalment of AUD 4,885 might be necessary if your dependent, who is over 18 years old, has less than Functional English.

The above fee is as of July 2024. Please note that the visa fee might increase in July every year.

Skilled Regional Permanent Resident (Subclass 191) Visa Processing Time

The current processing time for 191 Visa is between 3 – 4 months. However, the 191 Visa processing time may vary depending on individual circumstances. The document assessed cases by case and proceeded with including:

Completed application with all supporting documents and performed required checks;
Responded to request for more information;
Information received for your health, character, and national security requirements;
Places available for the migration program.

Including Family in 191 Visa Application

You can include your spouse or de facto partner and your dependent children in your 191 Visa application. You can include them when:

You lodge your 191 Visa application.
Your 191 Visa application has been submitted, but the Department of Home Affairs has not made a decision.

What is the difference between 190 and 191 Visa?

Here are some key differences between 190 and 191 Visa:

Visa 190 requires you to live and work in a certain Australian state or territory only. Meanwhile, Visa 191 allows you to live and work in any Australian state or territory.
Visa 190 is a point-test-based visa, requiring you to obtain a minimum score of 65 points to be invited. Meanwhile, Visa 191 is not a point-test-based visa. 191 Visa only requires you to hold a valid visa for a certain period.
Visa 190 requires you to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) application and to receive an invitation before submitting a visa application. Meanwhile, Visa 191 does not require any of these.
Visa 190 is a direct permanent residency. Meanwhile, Visa 191 is a pathway to permanent residency for certain visa subclasses only.

How long is the 191 Visa valid for?

The 191 Visa is a permanent visa, so it’s valid indefinitely. You can live, work and study in Australia permanently. However, after 5 years since the visa grant, you must obtain a Resident Return Visa (subclass 155/157) to travel as an Australian Permanent Resident.

Frequently Asked Questions

ONE derland Consulting managing director and also registered migration agent, Indah Melindasari, B.Com (MARN 0961 448) is here to answer your visa 191 questions!

Can I leave my regional state after getting a 191 visa?
Yes, you may leave your regional state after getting a 191 Visa. The 191 Visa allows you to work and live in any area in Australia.
Does 191 Visa have an age limit?
There is no age limit for 191 Visa. However, you must meet the age requirement to apply for the 491 Visa or 494 Visa.
What if the 191 Visa application is refused?
If your visa is refused, you can lodge a review application with the Tribunal. Make sure you are ready for this situation; the sooner you deal with it, the better your options will be.
Can I directly apply for an Australian Citizenship after getting a 191 Visa?
Firstly, you must ensure that you have met the requirements for Australian Citizenship. There’s a specific residency requirement you must fulfil. Other than that, it’s better to prepare yourself for the Australian Citizenship test first.

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Indah Melindasari, B.Com

Lead Migration Agent – MARN 0961 448

1300 827 159

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