The subclass 191 visa allows skilled migrants who have lived and worked in designated regional areas of Australia on an eligible visa to transition to permanent residency. This is an ideal option for those who have complied with the conditions of their existing visa and wish to continue contributing to regional communities in Australia.
About This Visa
With the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, you can:
Live and work in Australia permanently
Enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health care system
Sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency
Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible)
Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date of visa grant
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for this visa, you must:
Hold an eligible visa (Subclass 491 or 494) for at least 3 years
Provide 3 Notices of Assessment from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) from any 3 of the last 5 income years during the eligible visa period (there is no minimum income threshold)
Have complied with all conditions of your eligible visa
Meet health and character requirements
Sign the Australian Values Statement
Have no outstanding debt to the Australian Government
Have no history of visa cancellation or refusal
Including Family in Your Application
You can include members of your family unit in your application, even if:
They weren’t included in your original visa
A child has turned 23 years old since the eligible visa was granted
All included family members must meet health and character requirements.
If you have a newborn child since holding your eligible visa, make sure to notify the Department before lodging your application.
Visa Cost
Main applicant: From AUD 490
Additional applicant (18+): AUD 245
Additional applicant (<18): AUD 125
Other expenses may include health checks, police certificates, and biometrics.
Processing Time
Processing times vary depending on:
Whether your application is complete and includes all required documentation
How quickly you respond to requests
Results of health, character, and security checks
The number of available places in the migration program
Use the Visa Processing Time Guide Tool for current estimates.
Apply From:
You can apply from within or outside Australia, but not while in immigration clearance.
How Widen Migration Experts Can Help You With Subclass 191
At Widen Migration Experts, we understand how important your journey toward permanent residency is. Our experienced migration agents provide tailored, end-to-end support for your Subclass 191 visa application, including:
- Assessing your eligibility based on your existing visa
- Ensuring your ATO assessments and compliance history meet visa requirements
- Advising on the correct documentation for you and your family
- Assisting with health, character, and values documentation
- Providing updates and guidance throughout the process
We take the stress out of your migration pathway, ensuring your application is accurate, compliant, and lodged on time. Let us help you turn your regional work experience into permanent residency in Australia.
Ready to apply for your Subclass 191 Visa?
Contact Widen Migration Experts today for a free eligibility check and personalised consultation.