Subclass 191
Permanent visa for applicants who hold a subclass 494 or 491 visa and have met thier regional compliance requirements.
The 191 Skilled Regional Visa
The Subclass 191 (Skilled Regional) visa is a permanent residency visa for individuals who have lived and worked in regional Australia on an eligible provisional visa (491 or 494).
There is no EOI or invitation required. Instead, it is an application based on your ability to prove you followed the conditions of your previous regional visa for at least three years.
Main Requirements:
- Qualifying Visa: You must have held a Subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least three years before applying.
- Regional Compliance: You must prove that you and all family members complied with the regional stay and work conditions.
- Tax Documentation: You must provide Notices of Assessment (NOAs) from the ATO for at least three relevant income years.
- No Points Test: Because this is a transition visa, you do not need to satisfy a points test or provide a new skills assessment.
Regional Provisional Stream
What it is for: Holders of the 491 or 494 visa who have completed their mandatory three-year regional residency.
What it allows: Permanent residency; unrestricted work and study rights anywhere in Australia; family inclusion; and a direct pathway to Australian Citizenship.
Key Requirements:
- Hold a Subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least 3 years.
- Provide 3 years of ATO Notices of Assessment (NOAs).
- Demonstrate compliance with Condition8579 (living, working, and studying in a regionalarea).
Income Threshold: As of 2026, there is no minimum income threshold required for the 191 visa, but you muststill provide your tax assessments to prove you were active in the workforce.
Length of Stay: Permanent.
Hong Kong Stream
What it is for: Eligible Hong Kong (SAR) or British National (Overseas) passport holders who have lived in regional Australia.
What it allows: Permanent residency for applicants who have lived in regional Australia on eligible temporary visas (such as the 485, 482, or 457).
Key Requirements:
- Hold a Hong Kong or BNO passport.
- Have lived in a designated regional area for at least 3 years immediately before applying.
- Hold an eligible temporary visa at the time of application.
Length of Stay: Permanent.
Maintaining compliance
Once the 191 visa is granted, your regional restrictions are lifted:
- Geographic Freedom: You are no longer bound by Condition 8579. You may live and work anywhere in Australia.
- Travel Facility: Like all permanent visas, the 191 includes a 5-year travel facility. After 5 years, you will need a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to travel.
The 191 Application Process
Audit & Review
Confirm you have held your 491 or 494 visa for at least three years and have all three ATO Notices of Assessment ready.
Regional Proof
Gather evidence of your residency in a regional area, such as bank statements, utility bills, and employment contracts.
Visa Lodgement
Submit the 191 application via ImmiAccount. At Immilex, we ensure your documentation is organised and addresses all compliance factors to avoid delays.
Grant & PR Status
Once granted, you are no longer restricted to regional areas and are an Australian Permanent Resident.
For 191 Visa Applicants
The Subclass 191 is a residency-based application where the evidence is essential. The most common cause for delay is missing one of the three required ATO Notices of Assessment. At Immilex, we assess your residency evidence to ensure your history aligns with the conditions of your previous visa.
We also help you plan for your next milestone: Australian Citizenship. Since the 191 is a permanent visa, your final 12-month wait for citizenship eligibility begins as soon as the visa is granted (provided you have met the 4-year total lawful residence requirement).
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally safer to remain in the regional area until the 191 visa is actually granted. Moving early may lead to a breach of your current 491/494 conditions while the 191 is still processing.
Yes. The 191 visa does not require you to stay in the same job or occupation, as long as you remained in a regional area and complied with your previous visa's work conditions.
No. While early versions of this visa had a salary requirement, there is currently no minimum income threshold. You only need to provide three years of tax assessments, regardless of the amount earned.