What is the Difference Between 491 and 190 Visa?

The difference between 491 and 190 visas lies primarily in their permanence and location requirements. The subclass 491 is a temporary five-year provisional visa. It requires you to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia. This pathway offers 15 bonus points toward your skilled migration score. This makes it attractive for applicants who need extra points to qualify.

The subclass 190 works differently. It grants immediate permanent residence from day one. You have full rights to live and work anywhere in Australia. However, there’s no legal requirement to stay there. This visa provides only 5 bonus points. It eliminates the uncertainty and waiting period of provisional visas.

Both pathways require state or territory nomination. They differ fundamentally in flexibility and permanence. The choice depends on your priorities. You might prefer regional living in exchange for easier entry requirements and higher points. Or you might value the security and freedom of immediate permanent residence. 

Why this matters:

• 491 suits those willing to live regionally for faster processing and lower points
• 190 is ideal if you want immediate PR and city living flexibility
• Your choice impacts your settlement location and PR timeline

What is a 491 Visa Australia?

The subclass 491 is a provisional five-year visa designed for skilled workers willing to commit to regional Australia. It serves as a stepping stone to permanent residence rather than granting it immediately. You must live and work in designated regional areas, which now include cities like Perth, Adelaide, and the Gold Coast.

After three years of regional living and meeting minimum taxable income requirements, you become eligible to apply for permanent residence through the subclass 191 visa. This visa offers 15 bonus points in the skilled migration points test, making it an attractive option for applicants who fall short of the threshold for direct permanent residence pathways. Read our guide to get more information about subclass 491 visa. 

Subclass 491 Visa Requirements

• Points requirement (minimum 65, but a competitive score is higher)
• State/territory or family nomination needed
• Skills assessment for the nominated occupation
• Age under 45 years
• English language proficiency (Competent minimum)

check your Subclass 491 Visa eligibility and Requirements.

Key Features of 491 Visa

• 15 bonus points for regional nomination
• Must live, work, and study in a designated regional area
• 5-year validity period
• Work and study rights in regional areas
• Lead to Subclass 191  for PR

491 Visa Processing Time

• Current processing timeframes is 21 to 29 months to complete 50% to 90% application based on Home Affairs processing time data.

What are the Regional Areas for the 491 Visa?

Regional areas for the 491 visa are defined by the Australian government as all parts of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. This exclusion applies to the major metropolitan centers of these three cities. The definition of “regional” is quite broad. It includes significant urban centers with full amenities.

What is a Subclass 190 Visa?

The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a general skilled migration program and it offers a direct route to permanent residency in Australia. While it is granted through nomination by a specific state or territory, it ultimately grants you the freedom to live, study, and work anywhere in the country.

As a points-tested visa, it was designed to modernize the immigration system, effectively replacing the older Subclass 176 (offshore) and Subclass 886 (onshore) visas. Must Know more about Subclass 190, read our complete guide 

What are the Eligibility Rules for the Subclass 190 Visa?

• Points requirement (minimum 65 points)
• State/territory nomination required
• Skills assessment mandatory
• Age limit (under 45 years)
• English proficiency requirements
• Health and character requirements

What are the Benefits of the Subclass 190 Visa?

• Immediate permanent residency
• Live anywhere in Australia
• Access Medicare immediately
• Pathway to citizenship after 4 years
• Sponsor eligible relatives
• Work and study without restrictions

Major differences between 491 and 190 visa

The Subclass 491 and Subclass 190 visas differ in visa type, duration, sponsorship requirements, and specific conditions.

The Subclass 491 visa allows you to live and work in regional Australia for up to five years, while the Subclass 190 visa grants you permanent residency from the start. Although the 491 visa is temporary, you can apply for permanent residency after you meet the required residency period and eligibility criteria.

Points System Differences

The subclass 491 visa adds 15 bonus points to your total score. The subclass 190 visa adds only 5 bonus points. This 10-point difference can be crucial for qualification.

 Each state sets its own competitive score thresholds. These thresholds vary based on occupation demand and state priorities. Higher points make you more competitive in state nomination rounds.

Residence Obligations

The 491 requires three years of living and working in regional Australia. You must also meet minimum taxable income thresholds to apply for the 191 permanent visa. The 190 has no legal residence requirement. However, some states informally expect you to stay for two years initially.

190 vs 491 Visa Australia: Which Should You Choose?

Choose 491 If:

You’re open to regional living and exploring cities beyond the major metros. You need the extra 15 bonus points to reach the competitive threshold. You want a faster pathway with potentially lower competition in regional areas.

You’re comfortable with provisional status for five years before transitioning to permanent residence. You don’t mind meeting income thresholds and residence requirements over three years.

Choose 190 If:

You want immediate permanent residence security from day one. You prefer living in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane. You already have enough points without needing the regional bonus. You want a faster pathway to Australian citizenship, as PR holders can apply after four years. You value the certainty and flexibility of permanent status without provisional conditions.

Both visas lead to permanent residence eventually. Your choice depends on your lifestyle preferences, points situation, and timeline priorities.

Application Process Comparison

How to Apply for a 491 Visa

• EOI submission with regional nomination
• Receive state/territory or family nomination
• Visa invitation
• Lodge a visa application
• Health and character checks

How to Apply for a 190 Visa

• EOI submission
• State/territory nomination
• Visa invitation
• Lodge application
• Assessment and decision

Costs and Processing for 491 vs 190 visa Application

Here’s the comparison table of cost and processing time between the 491 vs 190 visa.

Pathway to Permanent Residence

From 491 to PR (Subclass 191)

The 491 visa requires a multi-step pathway to permanent residence. You must live in regional Australia for three years. You need to meet minimum taxable income requirements during this period. This amount may increase annually with indexation.

After three years, you can apply for the subclass 191 visa. This grants permanent residence. There’s no age requirement for the 191 visa. There’s no points test either.

From 190 to Citizenship

The 190 visa grants permanent residence from day one. You don’t need to wait or meet additional conditions. You can apply for Australian citizenship after four years of PR. You must also meet residency requirements during those four years. This includes at least 12 months as a PR holder.

The 190 offers a faster overall timeline to citizenship. You skip the three-year provisional period entirely. This can save you years compared to the 491 pathway.

How The Migration helps In Skilled Migration Visas

Not sure which visa suits your profile? The Migration specializes in skilled visa applications for clients across Australia. Our experienced migration agent in Sydney and Migration agent Melbourne provide personalized guidance tailored to your unique situation. Whether you prefer an in-office consultation at our Sydney or Melbourne locations, or an online appointment from anywhere in Australia, we’re here to help you make the right choice.

Conclusion

Choosing between the 491 and 190 visas depends on your individual circumstances and migration goals. The 491 offers 15 bonus points and suits applicants willing to commit to regional living for three years before transitioning to permanent residence.  The 190 provides immediate PR with the freedom to settle anywhere in Australia and a faster pathway to citizenship. Consider your points score, lifestyle preferences, and long-term plans carefully.

Both visas require careful planning and expert guidance to navigate successfully. Understanding state nomination requirements, processing timelines, and eligibility criteria can significantly impact your application outcome. Book your consultation today with The Migration Harris Park or  The Migration Melbourne office and take the first step toward your Australian migration journey with confidence.

Frequently asked questions

1: What is the difference between a 491 and a 190 visa?

The 491 is a 5-year provisional visa requiring regional living, while the 190 grants immediate permanent residence with freedom to live anywhere in Australia. The 491 offers 15 bonus points, 5 for the 190, but requires 3 years regional commitment before PR eligibility.

2: Can I apply for 190 while on 491?

Yes, you can apply for a 190 visa while holding a 491, as they are separate applications. However, you must meet all 190 eligibility criteria independently and consider your existing state nomination commitments under the 491 visa.

3: What are the benefits of a 491 visa in Australia?

The 491 visa offers 15 bonus points for nomination, access to a broader range of occupations in regional areas, potentially faster invitation rounds, and a 5-year work period. It’s ideal for applicants who need extra points and are open to regional living.

4: What are the benefits of the Subclass 190 visa?

The 190 visa grants immediate permanent residence, allowing you to live anywhere in Australia, access Medicare immediately, sponsor relatives, and apply for citizenship after 4 years. There’s no provisional status or regional living requirement.

5: What are the regional areas for 491 visa?

Regional areas for the 491 visa include all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. This covers Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin, and numerous regional postcodes listed on the Department of Home Affairs website.