Skilled · Subclass 189 / 191
Hong Kong stream (Skilled Independent 189 and Skilled Regional 191)
Permanent residence for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders who have held a 457, 482 or 485 visa for 4 years (3 years in regional areas).
Who it is for
Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders in Australia on an eligible temporary visa (457, 482 or 485 granted as the main applicant). The 189 stream needs 4 years of residence; the 191 stream needs 3 years living, working or studying in a designated regional area.
Key eligibility
- Hold a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport when you apply.
- 189: hold an eligible 457, 482 or 485 visa (main applicant) held for at least 4 years, and usually resident in Australia for a continuous 4 years before applying. Visas cannot be combined to meet the period.
- 191: hold an eligible visa for at least 3 years, usually resident in a designated regional area for a continuous 3 years, and any work or study in that period done in a designated regional area.
- Complied with the conditions of the eligible visa.
- Functional English or pay the second instalment; health and character.
Add up your points with our PR points calculator, built from the current Home Affairs points table. The redesign of the points test has been announced but is not in force.
Where to apply, and bridging visas
In or outside Australia, not in immigration clearance.
Your journey, step by step
First enquiry
You tell us your current visa, where you are, your family and any past refusals or cancellations.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent identifies your current visa, its conditions and expiry, and any early risk.
Check the visa and residence period
Confirm the single eligible visa held for the full period and continuous residence.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent checks visa history and residence carefully, because visas cannot be combined.
Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent sets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed.
Evidence
Passport, visa grant, residence evidence and, for 191, regional work or study evidence.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent prepares residence and regional evidence.
Lodge
Lodge in ImmiAccount and include family members.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent lodges a complete application.
Health, police and biometrics
Health examinations, police certificates and biometrics when the Department asks.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent tracks every request and deadline so nothing lapses.
Permanent residence
Medicare, family sponsorship and citizenship when eligible.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent plans citizenship timing.
The Department of Home Affairs makes every decision. No one can promise a grant, an invitation or a faster decision.
Government charges from 1 July 2026
| Applicant or item | Charge |
|---|---|
| 189 Hong Kong stream, main applicant | A$6,135 |
| 189: family member 18 or over | A$3,070 |
| 189: family member under 18 | A$1,535 |
| 191 Hong Kong stream, main applicant | A$6,135 |
| 191: family member 18 or over | A$3,065 |
| 191: family member under 18 | A$1,535 |
| Second instalment, each applicant 18 or over without functional English | A$4,885 |
Health checks, police certificates, translations, skills assessments and English tests are extra and paid to the provider. Our professional fee is separate and quoted in writing. Estimate total charges for your family.
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026, read 22 October 2026. Confirm in the Visa Pricing Estimator before you pay.
Processing times
Processing times are not published for this visa.
Not listed separately in the Home Affairs processing time guide when read on 22 October 2026.. Check the current Home Affairs guide. A guide only; times change monthly and are not a promise.
Common refusal risks
- Eligible visa not held for the full period, or visas combined.
- Residence not continuous, or outside a designated regional area (191).
- Visa condition breaches.
- Health or character.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience, not Department statistics.
Document checklist
Tick items as you collect them. Ticks are saved in this browser only and are not sent to us. This is a general list; the Department may ask for more.
0 of 0 collected
The Immigration Worldwide. Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130. General information, checked 22 October 2026.
Recent changes
Charges from 1 July 2026: main applicant A$6,135.
Sources and checks
- Home Affairs: Skilled Independent visa, Hong Kong stream
- Home Affairs: Skilled Regional visa, Hong Kong stream
- Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026
Related
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your situation. Australian advice is given by Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130.
Talk it through. The first 15 minutes are free and general. Personal advice starts only after a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.