Skilled Regional (Subclass 191) or Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Class PR Subclass 191 visa is a PR Pathway for Subclass 491 and 494 visa holders
To be eligible to convert your temporary Subclass 491 or 494 visa to the permanent Skilled Regional (Subclass 191) visa, you must have lived, work or study in a designated regional area and be earning certain minimum taxable income for at least 3 years. This requirement may be waived.
You can also apply to Queensland government to nominate you for a subclass 491 under Small Business Owners scheme (click here to learn more) and you can apply for PR if you meet the requirements for subclass 191 visa.
Skilled Regional (Subclass 191) visa will replace Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Subclass 187 visa (click here to learn more about RSMS 187 visa).
When can I apply?
The Department of Immigration (Department of Home Affairs) will introduce Subclass 491 visa and 494 visas (click here to learn more about 491 visa or 494 visa) on 16 November 2019. Subclass 491 visa replaces Skilled Regional Subclass 489 visa (click here to learn more about Subclass 489 visa). And Subclass 494 visa replaces Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Subclass 187 visa.
Because you must have held Subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least 3 years, the Skilled Regional (Subclass 191) visa is only available from 16 November 2022.
You can lodge your application for Skilled Regional (Subclass 191) visa in or outside Australia and when the visa is granted.
Including family members
Members of your family unit can make a combined application for this visa with you even if your children are no longer dependent. The Department of Immigration accept that a child continues to be a member of your family unit for the purpose of applying for this permanent visa. This is because if a family unit is on a pathway to permanent residency, all members of the family unit should be able to progress to permanent residency even if the member is no longer a dependent.
All Skilled Regional (Subclass 191) visa applicants (including non-applicant) must satisfy both heath and character public interest criteria.
Once you are granted the visa, it is valid for 5 years from the date of grant (click here to learn more about RRV 155 visa) and you can live anywhere in Australia, including metropolitan city. Click here to learn more)
The visa application charge (VAC) or fee for Skilled Regional (Subclass 191) visa (subject to annual increase):
- $385 base application (main applicant) charge
- $195 for each 18+ secondary applicant
- $100 for each under 18 secondary applicant
Australian migration law is complex and difficult to understand, contact our immigration lawyer for a consultation (fee applies) to help you decide if you are eligible to apply for this visa (click here to find out how an immigration lawyer or registered migration agent can help you). You may also refer to our FAQs for answers regarding visa application or visa cancellation by clicking here.
041 222 4020 or WeChat: AUDvisa
This article is not intended to be or taken as migration legal advice. The author of this article disclaims any liability for any action or omission on the information provided or not provided in this article. You should always consult an immigration lawyer or a registered migration agent to form an informed opinion on your immigration matter.
