Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)
The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa Subclass 191 grants full permanent residency to provisional regional visa holders after three years of regional living. With minimal requirements and fast processing (typically 2 to 3 months), the 191 is Australia’s most straightforward pathway from provisional to permanent status. Once approved, you can live and work anywhere in Australia with no regional restrictions.
Key Facts
Status
Permanent Residency
Key Benefit
Direct PR without nomination or points test
Requirement
Hold 491/494 visa for 3 years minimum
Processing Time:
Typically 7 to 15 months for 90% process
What is Subclass 191 Visa in Australia?
The Subclass 191 is a permanent residence visa for holders of provisional regional visas (Subclass 491 or Subclass 494) who have lived and worked in regional Australia for at least three years. Introduced in November 2022, the 191 visa as part of the broader General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, rewards regional contribution with full permanent residency without requiring new skills assessments, points tests, or state nominations.
What Are Subclass 191 Visa Benefits?
Full Permanent Residency With Complete Freedom
Once granted, Condition 8579 disappears. You can immediately relocate to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or anywhere in Australia. No more regional restrictions or monitoring.
Work, Study, and Travel Without Restrictions
Permanent residents can work anywhere in any occupation, study at any institution with domestic fees, travel freely, and access Medicare and social services. Your regional commitment is fulfilled.
Family Included in PR
Your partner and dependent children from your 491 visa receive permanent residency alongside you with the same unrestricted rights.
Direct Citizenship Pathway
After four years of permanent residency (including 12 months as PR holder), you're eligible for Australian citizenship. Your three years on 491 count toward this requirement, so most 191 holders can apply for citizenship just one to two years after 191 approval.
Sponsor Family Members
The most common 191 refusal reason is "insufficient evidence" of regional compliance. We help compile comprehensive documentation proving continuous Condition 8579 compliance throughout your three-year period organizing residential leases, employment contracts, utility bills, bank statements, and Medicare claims chronologically to demonstrate unquestionable regional presence.
No Occupation Lists or Skills Assessment
The 191 has no occupation list and requires no new skills assessment. Even if your occupation was removed from skilled migration lists or your skills assessment expired, you remain eligible based solely on your 491 holding period and regional compliance
subclass 191 requirements
To qualify for the skilled regional visa 191, you must hold a Subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least three years, demonstrate continuous regional compliance through Condition 8579, provide three ATO Notices of Assessment showing regional income, and pass health and character assessments.
You must hold your 491 (or 494) for at least three years calculated from visa grant date, not arrival date.
Example: 491 granted March 1, 2022. Earliest 191 eligibility: March 1, 2025. Can apply anytime after March 1, 2025.
You must demonstrate continuous compliance with Condition 8579 during your qualifying period. Evidence typically includes:
Three years of ATO Notices of Assessment
Residential leases or property documents in regional areas
Employment contracts and payslips with regional employer addresses
Utility bills at regional addresses
Bank statements showing regional transactions
Medicare claims from regional providers
School enrollment records for children (if applicable)
The Department evaluates compliance holistically. Brief absences for holidays, work travel, or emergencies don't disqualify you if your primary residence and work remained regional.
Provide three ATO Notices of Assessment for tax years during your 491 period, demonstrating income earned and tax paid. As of June 2023, there is no minimum income threshold. The Department requires evidence of economic contribution, not specific earnings levels.
Acceptable income: Salary, self-employment, casual/part-time work, contract work, any legitimate income reported to ATO.
Unemployment periods: Brief gaps don't automatically disqualify you, especially if due to circumstances beyond control (pandemic, parental leave, illness). The requirement is ongoing regional economic engagement, not continuous daily employment.
Standard requirements apply: health examinations from panel physicians, police clearances from all countries lived 12+ months since age 16 (including Australia), and character declarations.
Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band) is minimum. Higher proficiency earns points: Proficient (IELTS 7.0) adds 10 points, Superior (IELTS 8.0) adds 20 points.
Subclass 191 Application Process
Cost Breakdown and Visa Process Time
Visa fees and processing times are based on official Department of Home Affairs data, accurate as of January 2025. Fees are subject to change annually.
Subclass 191 Visa Cost
-
Base application charge
Regional Provisional Stream
- AUD $505.00
-
Additional applicant charge 18+
Regional Provisional Stream
- AUD $250.00
-
Additional applicant charge under 18
Regional Provisional Stream
- AUD $130.0
- Other Charges may be applicable
191 Visa Processing Time
- Eligibility verification
- Income, regional residence & work checks
- Visa processing
- 7 to 15 months (50% to 90%)
- Combined timeline
- Around 7 to 15 months
- Lodge complete, well-organized applications to hit 2 to 3 month processing target.
🎯 99% Success Rate
Our clients get their 190 visas approved
⚡ Faster Processing
Complete applications reduce delays
🛡️ MARA Protection
Fully licensed MARA agents
How We Help Your Subclass 191 Visa Success
Our expert guidance and proven strategies significantly improve your chances of visa approval.
Regional Compliance Documentation Excellence
We monitor all state and territory regional nomination programs daily, tracking which regional areas actively invite your occupation and at what point thresholds. We identify strategic opportunities in regional cities like Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, and Canberra where your occupation has lower competition and faster processing times.
Begin Your Regional Journey to Australian PR
The 491 visa opens doors that metropolitan pathways keep closed. With 15 bonus points, extensive occupation coverage, and major regional cities offering metropolitan lifestyles, your Australian dream is closer than you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 191 visa in Australia?
Permanent residence visa for 491/494 holders who lived and worked regionally for 3+ years, providing full PR without new skills assessments, points tests, or state nominations.
What are subclass 191 visa benefits?
Full permanent residency, live and work anywhere in Australia (including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane), Medicare access, sponsor family members, pathway to citizenship after 4 years as PR, no more regional restrictions.
How long does subclass 191 processing take?
Most applications processed within 7 to 15 months. Range: 7 month (25%) to 15 months (90%), median around 12 months.
Can I apply before 3 years?
No. You must wait exactly three years from your 491 grant date. Applying early results in automatic refusal and wasted fees.
Is there minimum income for 191?
No. As of June 2023, no minimum income threshold. You simply demonstrate through ATO Notices that you earned income and paid tax during your 491 period.
What documents needed for 191 visa?
491 grant letter, passports, 3 ATO Notices, regional residence evidence (leases, bills), employment evidence, health examinations, police checks, identity documents for family.
What if I left regional Australia early?
Breaching Condition 8579 jeopardizes both your 491 visa and 191 eligibility. The Department can cancel your 491 for serious breaches. Maintain regional compliance throughout.
Do I need same job for 3 years?
No. You can change employers, occupations, or industries freely. The 191 doesn’t require continuous employment in your nominated occupation, just evidence of regional living and working.
Based on the Subclass 191 visa document, here’s the tailored “How We Maximize Your Success” section:
What Documents Do I Need?
Essential: 491 visa grant letter, valid passports, 3 ATO Notices, regional residence evidence (leases, bills, bank statements), employment evidence, health examinations, Australian Federal Police check, overseas police clearances (if applicable).
Family members: Birth certificates, marriage certificate, de facto evidence, identity documents.
Recommended: Timeline document showing regional residence history, statutory declaration summarizing compliance, employer references, community involvement evidence.