What is a Subclass 191 Permanent Residence Skilled Regional Visa?
The Subclass 191 visa is the dedicated pathway to permanent residency for Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa holders.
The pathway becomes available following a period of residence in regional Australia while holding the provisional visa.
Note that ongoing employer sponsorship or support is not required for the subclass 191 application.
Requirements For A Subclass 191 Visa
To be eligible for the Subclass 191 visa, applicants are required to have held a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa for a minimum of three years.
Throughout this period, visa holders must ensure ongoing compliance with the visa conditions of living, working, and studying in a designated regional area. Evidence of this will be requested by Immigration as part of the application and monitoring process.
Applicants must also provide a notice of assessment demonstrating taxable income for each of the three years, however, there is no minimum amount required.
All applicants are required to meet health and character requirements for a permanent visa.
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How much does a 191 application cost?
As of 1 July 2025, the government application fees are as follows:
Visa Application – Main Applicant – $505
Visa Application – Dependent Applicant over 18yrs of age (each) – $250
Visa Application – Dependent Applicant under 18yrs of age (each) – $130
How long does a 191 take to process?
As of 29 July 2025, Immigration advises the current processing times are as follows:
| Application Type | 50% processed within | 90% processed within |
| Regional Provisional Visa | 11 months | 13 months |