191 Visa: Skilled Regional Permanent Residence Visa (Subclass 191)

What is the Subclass 191 skilled regional visa?

The subclass 191 visa is the permanent residency pathway for the following two visas.

  1. Subclass 494 skilled employer sponsored regional (provisional) visa 
  2. Subclass 491 skilled work regional (provisional) visa 

The 494 visa and the 491 visa are being introduced on 16 November 2019.

191-skilled-regional

Do you qualify for a visa?

Free Assessment

When does the 191 visa start?

As the 191 visa requires 494 and 491 visa holders to have lived and worked in a designated regional area for three years, the 191 visa will come into effect from 16 November 2022.

NOTE: The regions of Newcastle, Wollongong and the NSW Central Coast will become designated regional areas.

Am I be eligible for the 191 visa?

You can apply for a 191 visa as the holder of a 491 visa or a 494 visa if the following is met.

You hold a Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa and:

  • You have lived, worked or studied in the designated regional area for at least three years, whilst holding a 491 visa
  • You can show earnings of at least $53,900 for three years. If you have a partner, only one of you needs to show this salary level (through tax returns). This means that in some cases, the dependent partner on the 491 visa can be the main applicant for the 191 visa
  • You meet health and character requirements

You hold a Subclass 494 skilled employer sponsored regional (provisional) visa and:

  • You have lived and worked in the designated regional area for at least three years, whilst holding a 494 visa
  • You can show earnings of at least $53,900 for three income years. 
  • You meet health and character requirements

How is the 191 visa different from the 187 visa?

  • You do not need to be nominated by an employer to make an application for the 191 visa
  • The visa application fee is significantly lower ($385 for the main applicant, $195 for the partner and $100 for a child)
  • There is no Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy payable
  • There is no age limit (provided you were under 45 years when you lodged your 494 or 491 visa)
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