Why Apply for a Subclass 191?

• Become a permanent resident of Australia after working in regional areas
• Live and work anywhere in Australia with PR benefits
• Access Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system
• Travel to and from Australia freely for 5 years
• Sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency
• Clear pathway to Australian citizenship

What is the Subclass 191 Visa?

The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191) is a pathway for skilled workers who have already contributed to Australia’s regional workforce. It is designed for people who have lived, worked, and paid taxes in designated regional areas for at least three years while holding an eligible temporary regional visa.

This visa recognizes long-term employment and settlement in regional Australia and allows applicants to move from a temporary regional visa to permanent residence. Applicants must show that they have met all visa conditions, complied with Australian laws, and maintained consistent employment during their stay in regional areas.

The Subclass 191 visa does not require employer sponsorship or state nomination at the time of application. It focuses on an applicant’s work history, residence in regional areas, and income records rather than points testing.

This visa supports Australia’s goal of strengthening regional communities by encouraging skilled migrants to settle long-term after gaining regional work experience.

* Want to work in Australia? Contact Y-Axis for expert guidance

Subclass 191 Visa Streams

Regional Provisional Stream

This stream is for applicants who have lived and worked in regional Australia on an eligible provisional visa.

Key requirements:

• Must have held an eligible visa for at least 3 years
• Must have lived and worked in designated regional areas
• Must meet the minimum taxable income requirement for at least 3 income years
• No sponsor or nominator required at the time of application
• Must have followed all visa conditions while in Australia

Hong Kong Stream

This stream is for Hong Kong residents who have shown a long-term commitment to Australia.

Key requirements:

• Must hold a Hong Kong SAR passport or British National (Overseas) passport
• No sponsor or nominator required
• Must meet specific residence and visa conditions
• Must meet health, character, and other standard visa requirements

Eligibility for Permenant Residency Skilled Regional Visa

To be eligible for the Subclass 191 visa, applicants must:

• Hold an eligible visa such as Subclass 491 or Subclass 494
• Have lived and worked in regional Australia for at least 3 years
• Meet the minimum taxable income threshold for 3 income years
• Submit Notices of Assessment (NOA) from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
• Have complied with all conditions of their previous visa
• Meet health and character requirements
• Sign the Australian Values Statement

Documents Required for Subclass 191 Visa Australia

• Valid passport
• Proof of holding an eligible regional visa (Subclass 491 or Subclass 494) for at least 3 years
• Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Notices of Assessment for at least 3 income years
• Evidence of living and working in designated regional areas of Australia
• Payslips or employer reference letters
• Employment contracts
• Proof of residential address in regional Australia
• Police clearance certificates from countries lived in for 12 months or more
• Health examination reports
• Relationship documents for dependents

Steps to Apply for Subclass 191 Visa

Step 1: Confirm that you have held an eligible regional visa (Subclass 491 or 494) for at least three years and have met all visa conditions.

Step 2: Ensure you have Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Notices of Assessment for at least three income years showing the required taxable income.

Step 3: Collect all documents such as your passport, visa details, employment records, proof of residence in regional Australia, and police clearance certificates.

Step 4: Access the Australian Government’s ImmiAccount portal to start your Subclass 191 visa application.

Step 5: Complete the Subclass 191 visa application form, upload the required documents, and submit the application online.

Step 6: If the Department of Home Affairs requests more information, health checks, or biometrics, provide them within the given timeframe.

Step 7: Once your visa is approved, you can live and work permanently anywhere in Australia as a permanent resident.

*Looking to settle in Australia permanently? Y-Axis can guide you through the entire Subclass 191 process.

Cost of Subclass 191 Visa

The cost of the Subclass 191 visa depends on the stream under which you apply. The visa application fee must be paid at the time of submitting the application. Additional charges may apply if you include family members in your application.

Processing Time for Subclass 191 Visa

The processing time for the Subclass 191 visa is usually between 2 and 3 months from the date of application. However, the time taken to process the visa can vary depending on your individual case. Applications may take longer if additional documents are required, if further verification is needed, or if there is a high number of applications being processed at the time. To avoid delays, it is important to submit complete and accurate documents along with your application.

How Can Y-Axis Help You?

Y-Axis has over 25 years of experience in Australian immigration services. We provide complete support to applicants applying for the Subclass 191 visa, including:

• Free eligibility check using the Australia Immigration Points Calculator
• Expert coaching support for PTE and IELTS exams
• Review of ATO Notices of Assessment and income eligibility
• Verification of documents proving regional work and residence
• Guidance on meeting Subclass 191 visa conditions and compliance
• Complete document checklist and document verification support
• End-to-end assistance with Subclass 191 visa application filing
• Support with health and police clearance requirements
• Regular application status updates and follow-ups
• Post-visa guidance for permanent settlement in Australia