Skilled Migration
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191)
The Subclass 191 is the permanent residence visa for people who hold an eligible regional provisional visa, such as the 491, and have met its conditions. It is not points-tested. Once you have lived in a designated regional area and met the income requirement for the required period, the 191 converts your provisional status to permanent residence.
Visa type
Permanent residence
Points-tested
No
Comes after
A 491 (or older 494)
Key test
Regional living + income
How this works
- Us:We get your documents application-ready, match you with a registered migration agent we have vetted, and stay on the matter until it is lodged.
- Registered agent:A registered migration agent gives the migration advice and lodges your application.
- The Department:The Department of Home Affairs decides. No outcome is guaranteed.
Who it is for
- Holders of a Subclass 491 (or the older 494) who have met the regional conditions.
- People who have lived in a designated regional area and have the tax records to prove it.
- Provisional visa holders ready to convert to permanent residence.
What this pathway involves
An eligible regional provisional visa
You must hold, or have held, a qualifying regional visa such as the 491 or the earlier 494.
Time lived in a designated regional area
You must have lived in a designated regional area for the required period while holding the provisional visa.
A minimum taxable income
You must have earned at least the required minimum taxable income for the qualifying years. The exact threshold is set by legislative instrument and should be confirmed for your period.
Tax returns as evidence
Notices of assessment and tax returns are the core evidence. Keeping clean records throughout the 491 makes the 191 straightforward.
Health and character requirements
All applicants and included family members must meet the Department's health and character requirements.
How the process works
- 1
Confirm you qualify
A registered migration agent checks your regional-residence period and income against the current 191 requirements.
- 2
Assemble your evidence
We pull together your tax records, residence evidence, and provisional-visa history into a clear file.
- 3
Lodge the 191 application
We prepare a thorough file. A registered migration agent lodges the application and deals with the Department.
- 4
Decision
The Department decides. If granted, the 191 is permanent residence.
Questions about the Permanent Residence Regional
Related visas
Not sure where to start?
Tell us about your situation. We get your file application-ready and match you with a registered migration agent for the advice and lodgement, and we stay on it the whole way. No obligation.