Transition from a regional provisional visa to permanent residence. The Subclass 191 visa rewards skilled workers who have lived and worked in regional Australia with full PR rights, with expert guidance from CMI Legal.
The Subclass 191 visa is Australia’s pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers who have committed to living and working in regional Australia. If you hold a Subclass 491 or 494 visa and have spent at least three years contributing to a designated regional area, the 191 visa allows you to transition from provisional status to full permanent residency. In our 14 years assisting skilled migrants through Australia’s visa system, we’ve seen the 191 visa become increasingly important as the government prioritises regional migration. Unlike other skilled visas, the 191 doesn’t require points testing, employer sponsorship, or state nomination at the application stage. Your three years of regional commitment are your qualification. Once granted, the 191 visa removes all regional living restrictions, allowing you to live and work anywhere in Australia permanently, access Medicare, sponsor eligible family members, and pursue Australian citizenship.
Meeting the 191 visa requirements demands careful attention to several criteria. Our migration lawyers have identified these as the key requirements the Department of Home Affairs assesses:
You must have held a Subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least three years immediately before applying. This three-year period must be continuous; gaps in visa validity can affect eligibility.
Throughout the three years, you must have lived, worked, and studied (if applicable) only in designated regional areas. Regional Australia includes all areas outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, and all other locations qualify as regional for 191 purposes.
Important 2023 Update: The Department removed the minimum income threshold requirement in June 2023. You no longer need to demonstrate a specific taxable income amount. However, you must still provide Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Notices of Assessment for three income years within your five-year eligible visa period to prove you worked in Australia.
You must have complied with all conditions of your 491 or 494 visa, particularly condition 8579 (the regional living and working requirement). Non-compliance issues can be addressed in certain circumstances. Speak to our migration lawyers if you have concerns about past breaches.
Standard health and character requirements apply. You’ll need current health examinations and police clearances from each country you’ve lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
The 191 visa is exclusively available to holders of specific regional provisional visas who have fulfilled their regional obligations. There are two main streams:
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa 491 is a points-tested visa for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member living in regional Australia. After holding your 491 visa for three years while living and working regionally, you become eligible to apply for the 191.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa 494 is for skilled workers sponsored by an employer in regional Australia. Similar to the 491 pathway, you must hold the 494 visa for three years while meeting regional residence and work requirements before applying for the 191, subject to ongoing visa compliance.
You can apply for the 191 visa once you have held your 491 or 494 visa for at least three years. The earliest eligible applicants who received their 491 or 494 visas in November 2019 became eligible from November 2022. We recommend beginning preparation early to gather ATO records and ensure compliance documentation is complete.
We review your visa history, regional residence evidence, and work records to confirm you meet all 191 visa requirements. This includes verifying your designated regional area postcodes and ensuring continuous compliance with visa condition 8579.
You'll need ATO Notices of Assessment for three income years, employment records, tenancy agreements or property ownership documents, and utility bills showing regional addresses. We provide a comprehensive checklist and guide you through obtaining all necessary documents.
We prepare your complete application through ImmiAccount, ensuring all supporting documents are correctly formatted and uploaded. The current application fee is AUD $505 for the primary applicant, with additional fees for family members ($255 for adults, $130 for children under 18).
The Department may request additional evidence or clarification during processing. We manage all correspondence and respond promptly to any requests, helping avoid delays.
Once granted, your 191 visa provides permanent residence. You can immediately relocate anywhere in Australia. After holding permanent residence for 12 months (and four years total lawful residence), you become eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.
With 14+ years of experience helping visa applicants, CMI Legal’s registered migration lawyers deliver practical immigration advice and fixed-fee services that reunite families, build careers, and make Australia home.
Suite 904/10 Help St, Chatswood, NSW 2067, Australia
Current Department of Home Affairs processing times indicate that 50% of 191 visa applications are finalised within approximately 2-3 months, with 90% processed within 9-12 months. Processing times vary based on application completeness, complexity, and departmental workload. Complete, well-documented applications typically process faster. Our approach focuses on submitting comprehensive applications to minimise processing delays.
We handle your entire 191 visa application from eligibility assessment through to grant notification, including all Department correspondence and requests for additional information.
Our migration team has guided hundreds of skilled regional visa holders through the Australian immigration system since 2014, developing deep expertise in regional visa pathways.
Our immigration lawyers are registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), ensuring professional standards and accountability for all advice provided.
We provide transparent fixed-fee quotes before you commit. You know exactly what your 191 visa application will cost, no hourly rate surprises or hidden charges.
While our office is in Sydney, we assist clients across all Australian states and territories. Online consultations make professional migration advice accessible regardless of your regional location.
Every 191 application has unique circumstances. We develop individualised strategies addressing your specific situation, including any compliance concerns or complex evidence requirements.
Client Testimonials and Reviews
The 191 visa is a permanent residence visa for holders of regional provisional visas (491 or 494) who have lived and worked in designated regional Australia for at least three years. It provides full permanent residence with no regional restrictions.
No. As of June 2023, there is no minimum income threshold for 191 visa applications. You must still provide ATO Notices of Assessment for three income years to demonstrate you worked in Australia, but no specific income level is required.
You must have held your 491 or 494 visa for at least three years while living, working, and studying (if applicable) in a designated regional area throughout that period.
Yes. Both Subclass 491 (points-tested regional) and Subclass 494 (employer-sponsored regional) visa holders can apply for the 191 visa after meeting the three-year regional requirement.
Yes. You can include your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children in your application. Additional application fees apply (currently AUD $255 for adults and $130 for children under 18).
No. Unlike the 491 and 494 visas, the 191 visa does not require nomination or sponsorship. Your eligibility is based on having completed the regional residence and work requirements on your provisional visa.
Visa condition breaches can affect your 191 eligibility. However, minor breaches or exceptional circumstances may be addressed with proper explanation and supporting evidence. We recommend consulting with our migration lawyers to assess your specific situation.
Current processing times show 50% of applications finalised within 2-3 months and 90% within 9-12 months. Complete applications with comprehensive documentation typically process more quickly.
Yes. Once your 191 visa is granted, all regional restrictions are removed. You can live and work anywhere in Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and any other location.
While not mandatory, professional assistance significantly improves application quality and can prevent costly delays or refusals. Complex situations involving compliance concerns, employment changes, or evidence gaps particularly benefit from expert guidance.
Lawyer
Lawyer
Director
Principal
Lawyer
Our qualified immigration lawyers offer paid consultations to guide you through your visa or migration journey. Choose a 15-minute session for quick legal advice or a 45-minute consultation for a deeper review of your case, tailored recommendations, and strategic guidance.
Our expert migration lawyers offer paid consultations to suit your needs—choose a quick 15-minute session for general advice or a comprehensive 45-minute session for in-depth discussion and tailored guidance.
