Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa Subclass 191

The Subclass 191 skilled Visa, also known as the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa, is a pathway to Australian permanent residency (PR) designed for skilled workers and their families who have lived and worked in designated regional areas. This visa allows holders the opportunity to reside and work anywhere in the country without the restrictions often associated with temporary visas. Apart from the regional provisional visa stream, it is specifically tailored to facilitate Hong Kong applicants to apply for a permanent visa in Australia.

The Subclass 191 Visa presents numerous benefits, encompassing indefinite residency, the freedom to work and study in Australia, eligibility for Medicare, and the opportunity to apply for Australian citizenship upon meeting the residency requirement of residing in the country for a minimum of four years.

To meet eligibility requirements, applicants must hold either a subclass 494 visa or a subclass 491 visa for a minimum of 3 years. Additionally, they must satisfy health and character criteria, fulfil tax obligations, and adhere to visa conditions. This ensures that individuals seeking the visa subclass 191 have contributed positively to designated regional areas in Australia and are committed to meeting the necessary obligations for indefinite residency.

Yes, Subclass 191 Visa recipients have the flexibility to stay and work anywhere in Australia, including metropolitan and regional areas.

For individuals seeking alternative pathways to PR in Australia with faster application processes, several options are available. These include the Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme), Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa), and Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa). These visas cater to various circumstances and eligibility criteria, offering expedited routes for those looking to secure indefinite residency in a more timely manner.

As Subclass 191 is a permanent skilled visa, visa holders can reside in Australia permanently, but initially valid for 5 years from the date of grant, the visa allows travel to and from Australia during this period. For travel beyond the initial 5 years, visa holders must apply for a Resident Return visa.

No, visa 191 holders, even if employer-sponsored, are not subject to location restrictions. This provides individuals with the freedom to choose their place of residence within Australia, offering flexibility and autonomy in their living arrangements.

Applicants for both the regional provisional and Hong Kong streams have the flexibility to be either in or outside Australia throughout both the application submission and decision phases. However, for the Hong Kong visa stream, if applicants are overseas when the visa is granted, they are required to enter Australia before the date specified on their visa grant letter.

Yes, the Subclass 191 Visa does lead to permanent residency (PR) in Australia. Once granted, the Subclass 191 Visa confers permanent settlement status, allowing the visa owner to reside, work, and study in Australia indefinitely. 

You can include family members in your application during submission or add them later but before the visa decision. Generally, family members don’t need an eligible visa, except if they no longer meet the family unit definition. In such cases, they must hold a qualifying visa, for example, if a child turns 23 after obtaining an entitled visa.

The visa processing time for the 191 subclass can fluctuate based on factors such as application volume and individual circumstances. According to the Department of Home Affairs, 

• 50% of applications are processed within 83 days.
• 90% of applications are processed within 90 days.

As per, Department of Home Affairs, for the regional provisional stream, the subclass 191 visa costs AUD475.00 for the main applicant, AUD240.00 for each additional member aged 18 or older, and AUD120.00 for each additional member below 18. Additional costs may apply for health checks, police certificates, and biometrics.

For the Hong Kong stream, the main applicant incurs a visa cost of AUD4,640.00. A charge is also levied for each family member applying with you. An extra charge of AUD4,885.00 may be applicable for applicants aged 18 or older with less than functional English, payable only upon request if the visa is to be granted.