How to Apply for the 191 Permanent Residence Visa: Step-by-Step Guide

For skilled workers who have lived and worked in regional Australia on a provisional visa, the Subclass 191 visa (Permanent Residence – Skilled Regional) is one of the most valuable migration pathways to secure long-term settlement. This visa allows eligible migrants to transition from a temporary regional stay to full permanent residency with the ability to live and work anywhere in Australia.

This guide walks you through who can apply, the documents you’ll need, a step-by-step application process, and expert tips to make sure your application goes smoothly.

What is the 191 Visa?

The 191 visa grants permanent residency to those who have held a qualifying provisional regional visa—mainly:

• Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

• Subclass 494 Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa

Once approved, a 191 visa holder can:

• Live in Australia permanently

• Work and study freely in any region

• Apply for Medicare✔ Sponsor eligible family in the future

• Apply for Australian citizenship when eligible

It is designed to reward skilled migrants who support Australia’s regional growth.

Eligibility Requirements for the 191 Visa

To lodge a successful application, you must:

1. Hold a qualifying provisional visa (491 or 494).

2. Live, work, or study in a designated regional area while holding that visa.

3. Hold the provisional visa for at least 3 years.

4. Show taxable income evidence for those 3 years (by providing ATO Notices of Assessment).

5. Meet health and character requirements for all included applicants.

6. Comply with all provisional visa conditions throughout your stay.

No points test applies for this visa, which is a major benefit compared to other skilled visas.

Read More: Regional Work Visa

Documents Required

Prepare documents early to avoid visa delays. Key documents include:

• Passport and identity documents

• Evidence of provisional visa grant

• Proof of living and working in regional Australia (rental agreements, bills, employment records, payslips)

• ATO tax assessments for the qualifying income years

• Police clearance certificates

• Health checks

• Relationship proof (if including dependants)

• English language evidence (if relevant)

Ensure all non-English documents are translated and certified.

Step-by-Step 191 Visa Application Process

Here’s how the process usually works:

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Confirm you meet the visa conditions, especially regional stay and income requirements.

Step 2: Gather All Required Documents

Collect and scan documents for online upload.

Step 3: Apply Online via ImmiAccount

Fill in the form for Visa Subclass 191, include dependents, upload documents, and pay the fee.

Step 4: Respond to Any Requests

If immigration needs more evidence, respond quickly to avoid unnecessary delays.

Step 5: Visa Outcome

After approval, you and your eligible family members become permanent residents of Australia.

Processing times vary, so applying with complete documents helps speed things up.

Read More: Course For Pr in Australia

Benefits of the 191 Visa

• Permanent residency rights

• Access to Medicare

• Flexibility to live anywhere in Australia

• Option to sponsor relatives

• Pathway to Australian citizenship

• Family members can be included in the same application

This visa provides stability and long-term opportunities for your future in Australia.

Expert Tips for a Successful Application

• Maintain accurate records of your regional stay

• Keep track of employment history and payslips

• File your taxes on time and keep your ATO assessments

• Use consistent details across all submissions

• Prepare early — don’t wait until the last minute

If you’re unsure about any part of the process, working with migration professionals such as Edunest Consultants can ensure everything is correctly prepared and compliant.

Final Thoughts

The 191 visa is a highly rewarding pathway for migrants who have contributed to Australia’s regional communities. With the right preparation and timely compliance with the visa conditions, the process can be smooth and stress-free. By following this step-by-step guide and seeking expert support when needed, you’ll be well on your way to securing a permanent future in Australia.