Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) · Work and skilled visas · Stream of Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa
Regional Provisional stream
The Regional Provisional stream provides a permanent residence option for eligible 491 or 494 holders. There is currently no minimum income threshold. The primary applicant must provide ATO notices of assessment for three income years during the period of holding the eligible visa, alongside the other required evidence.
This visa allows people who have lived and worked in designated regional areas of Australia on an eligible visa, to live and work in Australia permanently. Applicants must have complied with the conditions of their eligible visa.
- Stay
Permanently
- Government charge
From AUD630.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances)
- Visa type
Permanent
Notice from the Department
We prioritise applications for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (subclass 191) visa under Ministerial Direction No. 119. We are currently processing applications that were lodged in:
- February 2026 – applications from applicants who were in Australia when they applied.
- January 2026 – applications from applicants who were outside Australia when they applied.
For this visa, you must provide notices of assessment issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for three income years out of the five years of your eligible visa.
If you or any of your family members owe money to the ATO, provide evidence you have paid it back or have an approved payment plan in place to prevent processing delays.
Official information from the Department of Home Affairs
The material below reproduces English-language information from the Department of Home Affairs about this visa. Requirements may have changed since it was added to this website. Use the source link to check the latest information; I can explain relevant provisions in Vietnamese or English during a consultation.
Overview
Stay
Permanently
Government charge
From AUD630.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances)
Cost concession
From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid visa application. See About this visa.
To work out what your visa will cost, use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not take into account any other costs.
Processing times
For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
We assess applications on a case-by-case basis. Actual processing times can vary due to individual circumstances. These include:
- whether you have lodged a complete application, including all necessary supporting documents
- how quickly you respond to requests for more information
- how long it takes to perform required checks on the supporting information provided
- how long it takes to receive information from external agencies, particularly for health, character, and national security requirements
- how many places are available in the migration program.
With this visa, you can...
- work and study anywhere in Australia
- sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence
- if eligible, become an Australian citizen.
You must
- hold an eligible visa for at least three years
- provide notices of assessment issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for three income years out of the five years of your eligible visa. There is no minimum income requirement
- have complied with the conditions of the eligible visa you hold or have held.
About this visa
With this visa you can
- stay in Australia permanently
- work and study in Australia
- attend free English language classes through the Adult Migrant English Program, if eligible
- enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare
- sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
- travel to and from Australia for 5 years
- if eligible, become an Australian citizen.
Newly arrived residents may need to wait before they can access certain Australian Government payments and benefits.
How long you can stay
This is a permanent visa. It lets you stay in Australia indefinitely.
The visa has a travel component that expires 5 years after the date of visa grant. If you wish to travel after this date, you must apply for a Resident Return visa.
For citizenship purposes, your permanent residence starts on the day we grant the visa if you are in Australia.
Include family
You can include members of the family unit in your application. You can:
- include them when you lodge your visa application.
- add them after you lodge your application but before we decide on your visa.
Generally, family members included in your application do not need an eligible visa. Family members must hold an eligible visa if:
- they no longer meet the standard definition of member of the family unit, and
- you include them in your application.
Their eligible visa must have been granted on the basis that they were a member of your family unit. This provision applies, for example, if you want to include a child in your application who has turned 23 years of age since getting an eligible visa.
Family members included in your application must meet health and character requirements. Family members not coming to Australia may also need to meet health and character requirements.
Newborn children
If you have a child who was born in Australia since you were granted your current visa you must tell us about your child before you lodge this application. Find out what to do if your child is born after we granted your current visa. If we have not linked your child’s current visa to their passport you will be unable to lodge their application online.
Cost
The visa costs AUD630.00 for the main applicant (concessions apply in limited circumstances).
There is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa with you.
To work out what your visa will cost use the Visa Pricing Estimator. The estimator does not take into account the second instalment or other costs. You might also have to pay other costs for health checks, police certificates and biometrics.
Cost concession for eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste visa applicants
From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid visa application.
We will charge eligible applicants the lower visa application cost during the application process in ImmiAccount. We will recognise eligible applicants by the valid passport from the specified countries used in the application when they apply.
Family members are also eligible for the lower visa cost. We base this on the passport of the primary applicant (or visa holder who satisfies the primary visa criteria).
The primary applicant must hold a valid passport issued by one of the following countries:
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
Apply from
You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa and when we decide on your application. You cannot be in immigration clearance.
Processing times
For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
We assess applications on a case-by-case basis. Actual processing times can vary due to individual circumstances including:
- whether you have submitted a complete application, including all supporting documents
- the time taken for you to respond to requests for more information
- the time it takes to perform required checks on supporting information provided
- the time it takes to receive more information from external agencies, particularly about health, character, and national security requirements
- how many places are available in the migration program
Eligibility
Have an eligible visa
You must hold an eligible visa when you apply. You must have held that visa for at least 3 years before you apply.
An eligible visa is a subclass 491 or subclass 494 visa.
Satisfy the income requirement
There is no minimum income requirement.
You must provide notices of assessment issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for three income years out of the five years of your eligible visa.
Comply with the conditions of your eligible visa
You must have complied with the conditions of your eligible visa when in Australia. This requirement applies for the whole period you hold the visa(s).
Meet our health requirement
You must meet our health requirement. This also applies for any family members who apply for the visa with you. Family members not coming to Australia may also need to meet the health requirement.
Meet our character requirement
You must meet our character requirement. This also applies for family members aged 16 years and over who apply for the visa with you.
Other family members not coming to Australia also need to meet the character requirement.
Sign the Australian values statement
If you are 16 years of age or older, you must:
- have read, or had explained to you, the Life in Australia booklet, and
sign an Australian Values Statement. This confirms you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws.
Pay back your debt to the Australian Government
If you or any family members owe the Australian Government money, you or they must pay it back. They can also make an arrangement to pay it back. This includes those who do not apply for the visa with you.
No prior visa cancellations or application refusals
We will consider your immigration history when we make a decision on your application, which means you might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused.
In some circumstances you may still apply for a permanent visa if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused see Limitations on applications in Australia.
If applying for a visa from outside Australia see Can I go to Australia.
If you want immigration assistance, see Who can help with your visa application.
How to Apply
1Before you apply
Before applying you must gather and prepare your documents.
Get help with your application
Only some people can help you with your application. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:
You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your visa matter.
Check your passport is up-to-date
You and your all family members must have valid passports or travel documents to be able to submit an application for this visa.
2Gather your documents
You will need to provide identity, character and other documents that show you have complied with your visa conditions in Australia. You will also need to provide documents for your partner and any dependent children.
Provide accurate information
Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or do not provide true information.
Work and residence documents
You must provide proof that, as the holder of your eligible visa, you lived, worked and studied in a designated area of Australia.
Proof of residence can include but is not limited to:
- leases or rental agreements
- utility bills such as telephone, gas or electricity that show your home address(es)
- school reports
- title deeds to your home
- any other evidence that demonstrates you and any family members are resident in a designated area.
Proof of work can include but is not limited to:
- reference letters
- payslips.
Proof of study can include but is not limited to:
- school reports
- academic transcripts
- letters of completion.
Evidence of income
There is no minimum income requirement.
You must provide notices of assessment issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for three income years out of the five years of your eligible visa.
If you owe money to the ATO, you must have paid it back or have an approved payment plan in place to pay it back. You should provide evidence of this.
Identity documents
Provide the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.
Also provide:
- a national identity card, if you have one
- proof of change of name.
Documents that prove a change of name include:
- a marriage or divorce certificate
- change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
- documents that show other names you have been known by.
Relationship documents
If you are or have been married, widowed, divorced or permanently separated, provide proof such as marriage certificates, divorce documents, death certificates, separation documents or statutory declarations.
If your partner or dependent children are not included in this application, tell us the reason why (for example, they already hold Australian citizenship or are a permanent resident).
Character documents
Provide an Australian police certificate if you have spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since you turned 16.
We only accept complete disclosure National Police Certificates issued by the Australian Federal Police. We do not accept standard disclosure certificates or national police certificates issued by Australian state or territory police.
For immigration purposes, Australian police certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
Also provide:
- an overseas police certificate from every country, including your home country, where you spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16.
- military service records or discharge papers if you served in the armed forces of any country.
Complete and provide the following forms:
Partner documents
We need to see evidence of your partner's identity and relationship with you.
Provide:
- identity documents and photos
- character documents
- marriage certificate, if applicable
- documents about other relationships, if applicable.
For de facto relationships, provide either:
- evidence that your relationship is registered by an Australian State or Territory
- documents to prove you have been in a de facto relationship with your partner for at least 12 months before you apply.
For both married and de facto applicants you must provide evidence that you are in a genuine and continuing relationship. Evidence can include but is not limited to:
- joint bank account statements
- billing accounts in joint names
- joint leases or mortgages
- documents that show your partner has lived at the same address as you.
Dependants under 18 documents
For every dependant 18 years old or younger who is applying with you, provide:
- copies of birth certificates or the family book showing the names of both parents of all your dependent children
- copies of the adoption paper, if applicable
- parental responsibility documents, if applicable.
Parental responsibility documents
You must get consent for any applicant under 18 years of age to migrate to Australia from anyone who:
- has a legal right to decide where the child lives and
- is not coming to Australia with the child.
They must complete either:
- Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years, or
- a statutory declaration giving their consent for the child to migrate to Australia on this visa.
Alternatively, you can show us:
- an Australian court order that allows your child to migrate to Australia, or
- that the laws of your home country allow them to migrate.
Include:
- an identity document that shows the signature and photo of the person who completed the form or declaration, such as a passport or driver’s licence
- adoption papers or other court documents, if applicable.
Dependants over 18 documents
To include your child who is over 18 in your visa application, they must hold an eligible visa that was granted on the basis that they were a member of your family unit.
Provide:
- identity documents
- proof of your relationship with the dependant such as a birth certificate or adoption papers
- character documents
- marriage certificate, if applicable
- documents about other relationships, if applicable.
Tell us you are getting help
To nominate someone to:
- receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount.
Prepare your documents
Translate
Have all non-English documents translated into English.
Provide original and translated documents in your application.
Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited but on each translation, they must include their:
- full name
- address and telephone number
- qualifications and experience in the language they are translating
These details must be in English.
Scan of photograph
Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour.
The scans and photos must be clear.
Note: You do not need to have any documents certified
If a document is more than 1 page, save it all as 1 file.
3Apply for the visa
You can apply for this visa online. You can be inside or outside Australia when you apply.
Provide accurate information
Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or do not provide true information.
Apply for this visa online in ImmiAccount
- Log in or create an ImmiAccount
- Attach your documents
- Pay the first application charge. We will not process your application until you pay this first instalment of the visa application charge.
- Note your transaction reference number (TRN).
4After you apply
We will let you know when we have received your application.
If you are granted a bridging visa you will receive notification of your visa grant.
Status updates
We do not give updates on applications under assessment.
You can check if we need more information from you in ImmiAccount.
Travel after you apply
You don't have to tell us if you want to travel outside Australia while we process your application.
If you leave Australia, make sure you have a valid visa to return. To see if you can return on your current visa, check VEVO.
Learn about visa expiry.
Health exams
We will let you know if you need health examinations.
Biometrics
We might ask for biometrics (fingerprints and photo). We will let you know if you need to provide them.
Attach more information
If you did not attach all documents when you applied, attach them as soon as you can in ImmiAccount.
We might also ask you to provide more information; however we are not obliged to do so and we may make a decision on your application without asking for more documents.
Stay lawful
You can apply for this visa in or out of Australia.
If you apply for the visa in Australia, make sure you stay lawful by holding a valid visa while we process your application.
If you apply for the visa in Australia, you may be granted a bridging visa (BV). If your current visa expires before we decide on your application, the BV will come into effect. You can stay in Australia on the BV while we process your new visa application.
Do not ask to have the visa you currently hold cancelled. If your visa is cancelled:
- you will be staying in Australia unlawfully
- your BV will cease.
Learn more about visa expiry.
Add family
You can add members of the family unit to your application after you apply but before we decide on your visa.
Complete Form 1436 - Adding an additional applicant after lodgement, pay using ImmiAccount, attach the form and supporting documents to your ImmiAccount.
Family members who apply for the visa must meet our health and character requirements.
Family members who are not coming to Australia do have to meet our character requirement and might have to meet our health requirement.
Newborn child
If your child is born after you submit your application but before we decide on your visa, you must tell us as soon as possible.
Find out what to do if your child is born after you apply.
Mistakes on your application
You must tell us as soon as possible if you made a mistake on your application.
Complete Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answers and attach it in ImmiAccount.
Help with your application
Let us know if you no longer want someone to:
- receive your correspondence - complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration advice - complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount.
For more information see Who can help you with your application.
Tell us if things change
Things you need to let us know about after you have applied include:
- changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
- changes to your marital or de facto status
- the birth of a child
- you want to withdraw your application. Removing your application from ImmiAccount does not withdraw it.
See how to tell us if your situation changes.
5Visa outcome
You can be inside or outside Australia when we decide your visa application. We will let you know our decision in writing.
If we grant your visa, we will tell you:
- your visa grant number
- the date your visa starts
- your visa conditions, if applicable
Keep a copy of the decision.
If we refuse your visa, we will tell you:
- why we refused the visa
- whether you have a right to a review of the decision
We will not refund the application charge if we refuse your application.
When you have this visa
In Australia
When you have this visa you can:
- stay in Australia permanently
- work and study
- enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare
- sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
- travel to and from Australia for 5 years
- if eligible, become an Australian citizen.
What you must do on this visa
You and your family members must obey Australian laws.
How long you can stay
This is a permanent visa. It lets you stay in Australia indefinitely.
Travelling on your visa
You can travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date we grant the visa. After the initial 5 years, to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident you will need a Resident Return (RRV) visa (subclass 155 or 157).
To see when the 5 years ends, use check your visa details with VEVO.
New Zealand passport holders
If an immigration officer processes your clearance at our border, we recommend you tell them:
- you have a Skilled Regional visa (subclass 191)
- you do not want a Special Category visa (subclass 444).
If you don't tell them, you might be granted a subclass 444 visa. Grant of a subclass 444 visa will cease your permanent visa, which will then affect your eligibility for Australian citizenship.
Proving you have a visa
To prove you have a visa and show your conditions to someone, use VEVO.
Working
You are protected by Australian workplace law. See your workplace rights and entitlements.
Bringing family
As an Australian permanent resident, you might be able to sponsor eligible family to come to Australia.
To find a visa for your family member, explore visa options.
Becoming an Australian citizen
After a certain amount of time, you might be eligible for Australian citizenship. Find out more about becoming a citizen.
For citizenship purposes, your permanent residence starts on the day we granted the visa.
Leaving Australia
Before you leave
Check your travel documents
You must have a valid passport or other travel document to leave Australia and return.
Ensure your visa is still valid and will allow you to re-enter Australia
Check the travel component of your visa in VEVO.
See what to do if your visa has expired or is about to expire.
At the Border
Leaving the airport faster
We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You could leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.
After you leave
Proving you have been to Australia
To get proof of your travel in and out of Australia, you can request a copy of your international movement records.
All streams of the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa
Official source: Department of Home Affairs, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. © Commonwealth of Australia. Refer to the source website for its copyright and conditions of use.
Open the official page
Next step
Have a visa question or need help getting started?
A 30-minute consultation gives us time to discuss your circumstances, consider initial options and identify the documents that need checking. Some matters require a further review of the records before I can give a complete assessment.