Skilled · Subclass 191
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa
Permanent visa for 491 and 494 holders after 3 years in regional Australia.
New from 26 October 2026: biometrics for applications made in India. What it means for you →
Who it is for
Holders of a 491 or 494 visa who have lived and worked in regional Australia.
Key eligibility
- Hold a 491 or 494, held for at least 3 years.
- Notices of assessment from the Australian Taxation Office for 3 income years within the period of the visa. There is no minimum income amount.
- Complied with the conditions of the visa for the whole period.
- 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
Track your dates
From the start of your 491 or 494, track the 3-year date and lodge tax returns on time.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent reviews compliance across the whole provisional period.
Resolve tax issues
Pay any tax debt or arrange a payment plan.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent flags tax issues that can delay a decision.
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.
Lodge after 3 years
Apply in ImmiAccount and include eligible family.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent prepares evidence of regional residence and work.
Health, police and biometrics
Health examinations, police certificates and biometrics when the Department asks. If you apply in India, the Department may ask you to give biometrics at a VFS Global centre after you lodge; book an appointment quickly using the instructions in the request letter.
How a registered migration agent helps: A registered migration agent tracks every request and deadline so nothing lapses.
Permanent residence
A permanent visa with a 5-year travel facility; 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 |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | A$630 |
| Family member 18 or over | A$315 |
| Family member under 18 | A$160 |
Streams: Regional Provisional stream (Hong Kong stream: see the Hong Kong stream guide). See also: Hong Kong stream guide.
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
Source: Home Affairs Global visa processing times. Read 22 October 2026. Check the current Home Affairs guide. A guide only; times change monthly and are not a promise.
Common refusal risks
- Breach of regional residence or work conditions.
- Fewer than 3 income years assessed by the tax office.
- Applying before holding the visa for 3 years.
- 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
From 26 October 2026, if you apply for this visa in India, the Department may ask you to give biometrics (fingerprints and a facial image). This applies to new applications lodged from that date. The Department sends a request letter with instructions. Most people then book an appointment at a VFS Global Australian Biometrics Collection Centre; some eligible people can use the Australian Immi App instead.
Sources and checks
- Home Affairs: Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191)
- Home Affairs: Biometrics
- Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026
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.