Subclass 191 visa – permanent residence (skilled regional) visa

What is a subclass 191 visa?

The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa – Subclass 191 is the culmination of the regional skilled visa pathway. After residing for at least 3 years on a Subclass 491 visa or Subclass 494 visa and working in a designated regional area of Australia, you become eligible to apply for the Subclass 191 visa, granting you permanent residency.

Visa 191 came into effect from November 16, 2022. Being well-prepared from the beginning will increase the chance of your visa 191 Australia grant.

The benefits of holding a Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa

With a Subclass 191 visa, you will have access to nearly all benefits accorded to Australian permanent residents:

• Residency: Stay in Australia permanently.
• Health care: Access to Medicare – Australia’s public health care scheme.
• Work and study: 
  • Work and study in Australia.
  • (Must work in the designated regional area in the first 2 years after the Subclass 191 visa grant).
• Multiple entrie: Travel in and out of Australia for 5 years. After 5 years, you need to apply for a Resident Return visa (RRV).
• Family members: Sponsor your eligible family member to come to Australia with you.
• Citizenship: Apply for Australian citizenship.

For a clear understanding of the benefits and responsibilities of holding Subclass 191, please contact VEM for further explanations.

The requirements of a subclass 191

Like any other Skilled visas, the applicants need to meet specific requirements. For subclass 191 visa:

• You must be holding Subclass 491 or Subclass 494 and meet the following requirements to apply for Subclass 191:
• Residency: Have lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least 3 years.
• Income: No minimum income.
• Taxes: Have to pay taxes during 3 years working in a designated regional area.
• Others:
  • Comply with Australian laws and meet all requirements when holding a Subclass 491 or 494 visa.
  • Must be in Australia at the time of making visa 191 application.

In addition, if you don’t meet the requirements for the 191 visa, you can consider other skilled visas such as the subclass 186, subclass 189, or subclass 482 visas.

Step-by-step of a subclass 191 visa application

• Step 1: Check whether you meet the visa 191 requirements.
• Step 2: Prepare documents and apply for a Subclass 191.
• Step 3: Provide additional documents (if required).
• Step 4: The DHA grants you the visa.

After your application is approved, you must reside in the designated regional area for an additional 2 years.

The requirement to reside in the designated area for at least 2 years after receiving your Subclass 191 visa grant applies. For detailed information, please contact VEM.

Our consultant, Mr. Peter Cao, a registered migration agent (MARN: 1577877), also a member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA: 12648), ensures your visa application is handled professionally and complies with all legal requirements.

The Australia 191 visa processing time

According to the latest update of the DHA, the visa 191 processing time will be:

The cost of a 191 visa application

Like the other visas in the General Skilled Visas like sublcass 190 visa or subclass 491 visa, the subclass 191 visa Australia also requires a visa fee, which varies depending on the applicant:

• For the main applicant: AUD 490
• For the additional applicant:
  • From and over 18 years of age: AUD 245
  • Under 18 years of age: AUD 125

Note: The visa 191 fee listed above do not include a 1.4% surcharge.

The required documents of a subclass 191 visa

• Identity documents:
  • Certified copy of your passport.
  • Certified copy of your identification.
  • Proof of legal name change (if necessary)
  • Certified copy of your marriage certificate (if married).
  • Proof of divorce (if necessary).
• Evidence of income:
  • No minimum income requirement.
  • Notices of assessment issued by the ATO for 3 income years out of 5 years of your eligible visa.
• Work & residence documents:
  • Proof of living and working in the designated area in Australia.
  • Reference letters
  • Payslips.
• Other documents: Proofs that you meet health and character requirements.

VEM is committed to assisting our clients in completing visa applications. For more information regarding required documents, please contact VEM.

By: Peter Phong D Cao – Registered migration agent

(MARN: 1577877, MIA: 12648)

Frequently asked questions

Find out more about other Australian visa:

• Newest information about Australian Skilled Migration Visas (Regional Visas)
• Subclass 189 visa – Our professional migration consultant shares helpful information
• Our migration consultant shares the secrets to successfully study in Australia
• Subclass 485 – Continue your stay in Australia with a Temporary Graduate visa