For many skilled migrants seeking to establish a permanent future in Australia, gaining Permanent Residency (PR) is an important step. The Subclass 191 Visa is one way that individuals who have traditionally entered the country as a provisional visa holder have the ability to gain PR after living and working in a regional area of Australia for a period of time. In exchange for their time and effort spent contributing to regional areas, applicants must also meet minimum requirements regarding residency and income.
The following provides a simple overview of the Subclass 191 visa requirements, along with a comparative analysis of the Subclass 190 Visa (Skilled Nominated) and the reasons why working with a Registered Migration Agent in Perth is recommended.
What Is the Subclass 191 Visa?
The Subclass 191 Visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled migrants who have lived and worked in Australian regional areas while holding a provisional visa like Subclass 491 or Subclass 494. It allows successful applicants to stay permanently in Australia, work anywhere, study, access Medicare, sponsor an eligible family, and even apply for citizenship later.
Who Can Apply for the Subclass 191 Visa?
To be eligible, applicants need to meet specific requirements. Below, you’ve got a detailed explanation rather than listing everything as short points:
Holding an Eligible Visa
You must have held a Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional – Provisional) or Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Provisional) visa for at least three years. These visas are designed to bring skilled workers to regional areas, so the Subclass 191 visa rewards you for meeting this commitment.
Living and Working in a Regional Area
To qualify for this visa, you will also need to show that you have lived, worked or studied within a designated regional area during your period of holding a provisional visa. You may provide documents such as rental agreements, employment contracts, utility bills or taxation records that show you have consistently lived in a regional community in Australia.
Regional Australia can be found all over the country, except for major cities (eg Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane). The reason for the regional area requirement is to create population growth in our regional communities and to distribute skills to those regions.
Meeting the Income Threshold
To demonstrate the economic contribution and workforce stability provided to Regional Areas, the applicants must have been financially self-supporting at or above the income requirement established by the Australian Government for a minimum of three Financial Years. Official Tax Return documents (e.g. ATO Notice of Assessment) for All Years MUST be attached to the applicant’s application.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants must have at least functional English. This can be demonstrated through an eligible passport or an English test such as IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL. Even though the English requirement is not very high, it must be fulfilled to avoid delays.
Health and Character Requirements
All applicants and their accompanying family members must meet Australia’s health and character requirements. Police clearance certificates and medical examinations ensure that applicants are eligible for permanent residency and do not pose a risk to the Australian community.
Why the Subclass 191 Visa Matters
An important factor to note about the 191 visa is that it provides a pathway for temporary residents to transition to permanent residency without needing to complete a new points test or skills assessment for their application for Permanent Residency (PR) status and therefore recognises that previous contributions were made to the regional area on behalf of the Department. In return for these contributions, the government will convert the Provisional Visa status of the individual to that of Permanent Resident. In addition, the benefits associated with other types of permanent residency visas include: access to social security benefits; access to the right to work in Australia indefinitely; and be ability to remain in Australia as a permanent resident.
Subclass 191 Visa vs Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190
Both Subclass 191 and Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190 offer permanent residency, but their pathways differ. Understanding the differences helps applicants choose the right visa based on lifestyle and long-term goals.
Subclass 191 Visa
- Designed for migrants who have lived and worked in regional Australia for several years
- Does not require a points test at the PR stage
- Requires meeting an income threshold
- Evidence of regional stay is mandatory
- Best suited for applicants on Subclass 491 or 494
Subclass 190 Visa
Conversely, the Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190 is a permanent visa issued through the nomination of a state or territory based on the individual’s score on the point system. Here is a more complete explanation instead of a list of short bullet points:
Individuals who want to obtain immediate permanent residency without the requirement of completing three years of residence in a regional area of Australia are best suited to this type of visa. The applicant must submit an Expression of Interest with a minimum score of 65 points to be nominated by a state or territory based on the applicant’s nominated occupation and local labour market requirements.
Once granted, the 190 visa provides the holder with permanent residency status immediately, and allows the holder to live and work freely throughout Australia. This provides greater flexibility to many applicants than what is available with the other visa options.
Final Thoughts
Subclass 191 visas are a great opportunity for skilled migrants to obtain Australian Permanent Residency by demonstrating their contributions towards supporting regional Australian Communities through ways such as work, study and earning a stable income. It acknowledges dedication towards regional communities, making it easier for 491 and 494 visa holders to go from a Temporary Residency visa to a Permanent Resident visa.
For successful applications, understand the requirements of your application, such as Income thresholds and residency requirements. For many applicants, it`s helpful for them to seek out professional assistance from Registered Migration Agents Perth for clarity and to avoid making costly mistakes.