Skilled regional permanent visa - subclass 191
Permanent residency for regional workers in Australia
The Skilled Regional (Permanent) visa (subclass 191) is a permanent visa that allows skilled workers who have lived and worked in designated regional areas of Australia on an eligible provisional visa to stay indefinitely. It has two streams: the Regional Provisional stream and the Hong Kong stream.
This visa rewards those who have contributed to regional Australia by removing the need for further sponsorship or nomination once the provisional visa conditions are met.
Visa Overview & Streams
Skilled regional permanent visa - subclass 191
Permanent visa for skilled workers who have fulfilled provisional regional visa obligations.
Visa scope
Permanent visa granting indefinite stay in Australia.
Available in the Regional Provisional stream and Hong Kong stream.
No further sponsor or nomination required once eligible.
Designed for holders of provisional regional visas who have lived and worked in designated regional areas.
Allows you to live, work, study, and sponsor family members anywhere in Australia after the grant.
Part of Australia's strategy to support regional economic growth.
Why it matters
Provides a clear transition from provisional to permanent residency for regional workers.
Rewards commitment to living and working in regional Australia.
Full permanent residency rights from the day of grant.
Pathway to Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements.
Must have complied with all conditions of your eligible provisional visa.
Supporting text (2-3 sentences):
The subclass 191 visa is the permanent stage for skilled migrants who have successfully completed time on a provisional regional visa. The Regional Provisional stream is the most common pathway. You must meet strict residence and income requirements during your provisional visa period before applying.
Visa Essentials
Visa essentials
Key eligibility and requirements for the Skilled Regional (Permanent) visa subclass 191.
Eligibility & streams
- Eligibility: Must have held an eligible provisional visa (such as subclass 489, 491 or 494) and complied with its conditions.
- What It Covers: Regional Provisional stream (3 years residence and work in regional areas + availability of notice of assessment ) and Hong Kong stream (for eligible Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders).
- Advantage: Direct permanent residency with no further nomination needed.
- Documents: Tax notices of assessment, evidence of regional residence and work, and identity documents.
Note: You must continue to live and work in regional areas as required by your provisional visa.
Main requirements
Duration: Permanent visa upon grant.
- What It Covers: At least 3 years on an eligible provisional visa, Provide ATO-issued Notices of Assessment for any 3 income years within your 5-year eligible visa period. (No minimum income is required), and full compliance with visa conditions.
- Advantage: Permanent residency with full work and study rights.
- Fee: From AUD 505 (Regional Provisional stream); from AUD 4,910 (Hong Kong stream).
Outcome: Permanent residency with 5-year travel facility.
Application Process
How the subclass 191 visa application works
Simple transition process for eligible provisional visa holders.
Numbered cards (3 steps)
Confirm eligibility
Ensure you have held an eligible provisional visa for at least 3 years, complied with all conditions, and met the taxable income requirement for 3 years. Gather your Australian Taxation Office notices of assessment and evidence of regional residence and work.
Lodge your application
Apply online through ImmiAccount. Pay the visa application charge and upload all required supporting documents. No new invitation or nomination is needed.
Assessment & outcome
The Department assesses your application against the visa criteria. You will be notified of the outcome via ImmiAccount. If granted, you receive permanent residency.
Documentation & Requirements Checklist
Essential documents for subclass 191 visa
Prepare high-quality evidence of your regional residence and income.
Document checklist (5 categories)
Category 1: Personal identification
Valid passport (bio data page)
Evidence of name change (if applicable)
Category 2: Provisional visa history
Evidence of holding an eligible provisional visa (e.g., subclass 489, 491, 494)
Confirmation of compliance with all visa conditions
Category 3: Income & tax evidence
Notices of assessment from the Australian Taxation Office for at least 3 years
Evidence that taxable income met the required threshold
Category 4: Regional residence & work
Evidence of living in designated regional areas
Payslips, employment contracts, or tax records showing work in regional Australia
Category 5: Additional (if applicable)
Partner and family member documents
Agent authorisation form (956 form, if using a migration agent)
Health and character documents (if requested)
Success Strategy & Conclusion
Succeeding with your subclass 191 visa in 2026
The Skilled Regional (Permanent) visa subclass 191 provides a straightforward pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers who have fulfilled their obligations on a provisional regional visa. By living and working in designated regional areas and being able to provide ATO Notices of Assessment for any 3 of the 5 eligible years (no minimum income required as per current requirements) you can transition to permanent residency without needing further sponsorship or nomination.
Start early by keeping accurate tax records and residence evidence throughout your provisional visa period. Lodge a complete application online through ImmiAccount once you meet the criteria. A successful outcome grants you full permanent residency rights across Australia. Always verify the latest income thresholds (if available), eligible visas, fees, and processing times directly on the official Department of Home Affairs website before applying.
References (official sources – all content matches these pages):
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-regional-191 (main subclass 191 overview)
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-regional-191/regional-provisional (Regional Provisional stream details)
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-regional-191/hong-kong (Hong Kong stream details)
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Frequently Asked Questions
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