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Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191)
Reviewed by Mohammad Saghir Khan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1170510)Last reviewed:
The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) is the permanent visa for people who have held a Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) or Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) visa for at least 3 years. You must have complied with the conditions of that visa, including living, working and studying in a designated regional area, and provide Australian Taxation Office notices of assessment for 3 income years. Home Affairs says there is no minimum income requirement. From 1 July 2026 the visa charge is AUD 630 for the main applicant.
Skilled Regional Visa (191) at a Glance
| Visa type | Permanent |
|---|---|
| Streams | Regional Provisional Visas stream (and a separate Hong Kong (Regional) stream) |
| Eligible visas | Subclass 491 or subclass 494, held for at least 3 years |
| Income | ATO notices of assessment for 3 income years out of the 5 years of your eligible visa. No minimum income |
| Conditions | You must have complied with the conditions of your 491 or 494 |
| Age, English, skills | No new age, English or skills assessment requirement |
| Government charge | AUD 630 main applicant, AUD 315 each adult, AUD 160 per child (from 1 July 2026) |
| Travel | Travel facility for 5 years from grant |
Who Can Apply
The 191 is for people who have lived and worked in regional Australia on an eligible provisional visa. You must hold a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) or a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) when you apply, and you must have held that visa for at least 3 years.
Main Requirements
- 3 years on your eligible visa: count from the grant of your 491 or 494. Use our visa key dates planner to work out when you reach 3 years.
- Taxable income evidence: provide ATO notices of assessment for 3 income years out of the 5 years of your eligible visa. Home Affairs says there is no minimum income requirement.
- Complied with your visa conditions: you must have lived, worked and studied only in a designated regional area, and met all other conditions, for the whole time you held the visa.
- No tax debt: if you or a family member owes money to the ATO, show it has been paid or that you have an approved payment plan.
- Health and character requirements, the Australian Values Statement and no outstanding debts to the Australian Government.
The 191 does not have a new age limit, English test or skills assessment requirement. You do not need a new employer nomination or state nomination.
Evidence of Living and Working Regionally
You must show that you lived, worked and studied in a designated regional area while holding your 491 or 494. Evidence can include leases, utility bills, payslips, reference letters and school or study records. Check past addresses with our regional postcode checker.
Family Members
You can include your partner and dependent children when you apply, or add them before a decision is made. Family members generally do not need to hold an eligible visa themselves, unless they no longer meet the definition of a member of the family unit, for example a child who has turned 23 since the 491 or 494 was granted.
Costs
From 1 July 2026 the visa application charge in the Regional Provisional Visas stream is AUD 630 for the main applicant, AUD 315 for each family member aged 18 or over and AUD 160 for each child. Lower charges apply to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste passport holders. Health checks and police certificates cost extra.
Processing
Home Affairs processes 191 applications under its skilled visa processing priorities. In October 2026 it reported that it was processing applications lodged from January to March 2026, depending on whether the main applicant was in Australia when they applied. Check the global processing times for current figures.
How to Apply
- Check your 3-year dateConfirm you will have held your 491 or 494 for at least 3 years on the day you apply.
- Gather ATO notices of assessmentCollect notices of assessment for 3 income years during your eligible visa, and clear any tax debt.
- Collect regional evidenceGather leases, bills, payslips and employment references showing you lived, worked and studied in designated regional areas.
- Prepare family documentsCollect identity, relationship and character documents for your partner and children.
- Lodge in ImmiAccountApply online and pay the visa application charge. You can be in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance.
- Health checks and decisionComplete health examinations when asked, respond to any requests and keep your address details up to date.
How Aussie ASEAN Can Help
We review your visa history and conditions, check that your 3 years and ATO notices of assessment line up, and identify any gaps in your regional evidence before you lodge. We prepare and lodge the 191 application for you and your family and handle any requests from Home Affairs.
Free tools for this visa
Related visas
Every case is different. Talk to a Registered Migration Agent about your Skilled Regional Visa (191) before you lodge.
Book a consultationSources: Home Affairs: Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (191) · 191 Regional Provisional Visas stream · Designated regional areas · Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 1 item 1139 · Global visa processing times
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain-English answers to the questions we are asked most often.
Who is eligible for the 191 visa?
People who hold a subclass 491 or subclass 494 visa and have held it for at least 3 years. You must also have complied with the conditions of that visa and meet health and character requirements.
Is there a minimum income for the 191?
Home Affairs says there is no minimum income requirement. You must provide ATO notices of assessment for 3 income years out of the 5 years of your eligible visa.
Do I need an employer or state nomination for the 191?
No. The 191 does not need a new nomination. It is based on your time on the 491 or 494 and your compliance with its conditions.
Is there an age limit or English test for the 191?
No. The 191 does not have its own age limit, English test or skills assessment requirement. Those were assessed when you were granted your 491 or 494.
What if I lived in a capital city for part of my 491 or 494?
You must have complied with your visa conditions, which require living, working and studying in a designated regional area. Breaching those conditions can affect your eligibility, so get advice before you apply.
How much does the 191 visa cost?
From 1 July 2026 the charge in the Regional Provisional Visas stream is AUD 630 for the main applicant, AUD 315 for each adult and AUD 160 for each child. Health checks and police certificates are extra.
Can I include my family in the 191?
Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children when you apply or before a decision is made. They must meet health and character requirements.
Can I become a citizen after the 191?
The 191 is a permanent visa, so you may later be eligible for Australian citizenship once you meet the residence and other requirements. For citizenship purposes, permanent residence starts on the day the visa is granted if you are in Australia.
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