Permanent Residence Visa, Subclass 191
The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa is the permanent step for people who hold a 491 or 494 visa. It rewards those who have lived and worked in a regional area and met the income requirement. The strongest applications are planned from the first day on the provisional visa.
The 191 is the permanent visa for people who hold a 491 or 494. It looks at how you have lived, worked and earned in a regional area, so the evidence you collect along the way matters as much as the application itself. We help you plan for it from the start.
- TypePermanent
- For491 and 494 holders
- WhenGenerally after 3 years
- FocusRegional residence, work and income
Overview
The 191 is a permanent visa for people who hold a 491 or 494 visa.
- It looks at how you have lived, worked and earned in a designated regional area while on the provisional visa.
- It is generally available after 3 years, so the planning starts on the day the provisional visa is granted.
Who this suits
491 visa holders who have lived and worked in a regional area
494 visa holders sponsored by a regional employer
Family members who held the provisional visa with the main applicant
Key facts
- Permanent visa for holders of the 491 or 494
- Generally available after 3 years on the provisional visa
- Requires regional residence, regional work and income evidence
- No new nomination or sponsor is needed at this stage
Government application fees
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (191)
Main applicant$630
Additional applicant 18+$315
Additional applicant under 18$160
A second instalment may be payable for applicants aged 18 and over who do not have functional English. Check the current amount with Home Affairs.
These are the Department of Home Affairs charges only. They are indexed each 1 July, so confirm the current amount with the Department before you lodge. Other costs may apply, such as health examinations, police certificates, skills assessments and the Skilling Australians Fund levy. Our professional fees are separate.
What you need to qualify
- You must hold, or have held, a 491 or 494 visa for the required period.
- You must have lived and worked in a designated regional area during that time.
- You must meet the income requirement for the period, with evidence to support it.
- You and any family members must meet health and character requirements.
The 191 process
- 01Hold the 491 or 494
- 02Live and work regionally
- 03Keep work and income records
- 04Eligibility review
- 05Lodge the 191
- 06Decision
- 07Permanent residence
Documents you will need
- Passport and identity documents for you and each family member included
- Payslips, tax records and employment evidence for the period
- Evidence of where you lived, such as lease or utility records
- Your provisional visa grant and any related correspondence
- Police certificates and health examination results when requested
After the visa is granted
- You become a permanent resident and are no longer tied to a regional area.
- Your permanent visa opens the way to later steps, including citizenship when eligible.
- Keep your records and travel history for that application.
How we help
- Check your eligibility well before the 3 years are up
- Review your regional residence, work and income records
- Prepare and lodge the application with the right evidence
- Plan ahead if something in your record needs attention
Common pitfalls
- Not keeping regional work and income records along the way
- Moving outside the designated area without checking the effect
- Leaving the application until the provisional visa is close to expiring
- Assuming time on the visa alone is enough
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the 191?
Holders of a 491 or 494 visa who meet the requirements, which include living and working in a designated regional area and meeting the income requirement for the period.
When can I apply?
Generally after you have held the provisional visa for 3 years. We recommend a review well before then so there is time to address any gaps.
Do I need a new nomination or sponsor?
No. The nomination or sponsorship was used for the provisional visa. At this stage the focus is on your own regional residence, work and income.
What evidence will I need?
Typically evidence of where you have lived and worked and what you have earned, such as payslips, tax records and lease or utility records. Keeping these as you go makes the application much easier.
Can my family be included?
Family members who held the provisional visa with you can generally apply with you, subject to their own requirements.