Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa | Subclass 191
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa
The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) is the ultimate reward for skilled workers who have committed to living and working in regional Australia. This visa marks the final transition from a provisional 491 or 494 visa to full, unrestricted permanent residency, granting you the freedom to build a permanent life anywhere in the country.
Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa – At a Glance
| FEATURE | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Permanent Residency |
| Stay | Indefinite |
| Cost | From $630 AUD1 |
| Processing Time | The Visa Application timeframe is Approx. 8 – 15 months2 |
| Key Requirement | 3 Years on a 491 or 494 Visa |
Fees are subject to change by the Department and other concession fees may apply.
To view our professional services fees click here.
Key Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the 191 visa in 2026, you must meet the residency and compliance criteria established during your provisional stay in regional Australia.
1. The Three-Year Residency Rule
The primary requirement is that you must have held an eligible provisional visa – either the Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) or the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) – for at least three years before applying. You do not need a new state nomination or employer sponsorship for this permanent stage.
2. Income and Tax Compliance (3 NOAs)
A critical component of your application is providing three Notices of Assessment (NOA) issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). These must correspond to three different income years within the five-year validity of your provisional visa. Notably, as of 2026, there is no minimum dollar income threshold required to qualify; the focus is solely on tax compliance and proof of regional economic activity.
3. Visa Condition 8579 Compliance
The Department will audit your history to ensure you have strictly complied with Condition 8579. This means you must prove that your primary residence, place of employment, and any study took place within a designated regional area for the duration of your provisional stay.
4. Health and Character
As with all permanent residency pathways, you and all family members included in the application must meet Australia’s health and character requirements. If your previous checks from your 491/494 application have expired, new examinations and police clearances will be mandatory.
How to Apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa
A Step-by-Step Guide
Transitioning to permanent residency is a streamlined process if you have maintained diligent records over the preceding three years.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility & Residency Duration
Verify that you have held your 491 or 494 visa for the full 3-year qualifying period. We recommend a comprehensive audit of your ‘proof of life’ documents in the region, such as utility bills and bank statements.
Step 2: Gather Your ATO Notices of Assessment
Ensure you have three separate Notices of Assessment from the ATO. Even if you were not earning a high salary, having these official documents is the non-negotiable proof required for lodgement.
Step 3: Verify Regional Condition Compliance
Confirm that all your employers and residential addresses were located within the authorised regional postcodes. Any period of living or working in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane could jeopardize your PR grant.
Step 4: Lodge Your Permanent Visa Application
The 191 application is lodged via ImmiAccount. Unlike the provisional stage, there is no points test and no requirement for a new English test for the primary applicant.
Step 5: Secure Your Permanent Residency
Once the Department verifies your residency and tax history, your permanent residency is granted. You are then free to live and work anywhere in Australia without regional restrictions.
Being on a Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa means…
What You Can Do on the Subclass 191 Visa
As a permanent resident, you can:
- Live, work, and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely.
- Enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system.
- Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residency.
- Travel to and from Australia for five years (then apply for a Resident Return Visa).
- Apply for Australian citizenship when eligible.
Your Visa Obligations
The primary benefit of the 191 visa is the removal of geographical restrictions. Unlike your provisional visa, you are no longer legally required to remain in regional Australia and can relocate to any capital city (or anywhere else in Australia) immediately upon grant.
The Pathway to Citizenship
After living in Australia for a total of 4 years on a valid visa (with at least the last 12 months as a permanent resident), you may be eligible to apply for citizenship. See our Citizenship page here for further details about attaininig Australian citizenship.
Your Best Chance of Success with Visa Advisory Australia
The transition to permanent residency is the culmination of years of effort. A single oversight in tax documentation or a gap in regional residency evidence can lead to a refusal at the final hurdle. Our expert team ensures your 191 application is ironclad.
Our Subclass 191 Services include:
Comprehensive Eligibility Audit by Registered Migration Agents to ensure 3 years of visa and regional compliance.
ATO Assessment Verification to confirm your tax records meet the Department’s specific evidentiary standards.
Regional Compliance Shield to review your employment and residential history against Condition 8579.
Decision-Ready Application lodgement to maximise speed and minimise Departmental inquiries.
Full Management of all communication with the Department of Home Affairs.
And much, much more.
Don’t risk your final PR step. Talk to a Registered Migration Agent today.
Related Visas
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the
Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa
Q: Is there a minimum salary I need to earn for the 191 visa?
A: No. In 2026, there is no minimum income threshold. You only need to provide three ATO Notices of Assessment, regardless of the income amount shown on them.
Q: Can I move to Sydney or Melbourne once my 191 is granted?
A: Yes. Once the 191 visa is granted, all regional stay conditions (like 8579) are removed. You have the same unrestricted movement rights as any other Australian permanent resident.
Q: Do I need a new English test for the 191 visa?
A: The primary applicant does not need a new English test. However, dependent family members over 18 must demonstrate functional English or pay a second instalment of the visa application charge.
Q: What happens if my visa is refused?
A: If your visa is refused, you may have rights to appeal the decision to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Our firm is highly experienced in representing clients at the ART for partner visa matters. Our firm specialises in ART appeals for family visas – click here for further details.
- Base application charge only. Prices are subject to change. Source: Department of Home Affairs. ↩︎
- Visa processing time current as of 17 April 2026. For the latest processing time click here. ↩︎
