Residence (Skilled Regional)
Subclass 191 Visa Process Simplified
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Australia Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Subclass 191 Visa
The Australia Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) subclass 191 Visa is a pathway for skilled migrants, particularly beneficial for international students, offering the opportunity to stay, work, or study indefinitely in Australia. It targets individuals holding a qualifying visa, who have lived for at least three years in a designated regional area and have earned the specified income amount.
Subclass 191 Visa: Highlights
Aspects |
Details |
Visa Official Name |
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa |
Visa Type |
Skilled Residence (Permanent Residence) – Subclass 191 |
Validity |
Indefinite stay in Australia, but the visa is valid for 5 years after the date of the visa grant |
Minimum Age to Apply |
No age limit |
Eligibility |
Must have held either a 491 or 494 visa for at least 3 years and have lived in a designated regional area for a minimum of 3 years |
Visa Application Fee |
AUD $475 (Regional Provisional Stream) AUD $4,640 (Hong Kong Stream) |
Can be Renewed? |
Yes |
Renewal Fee |
Need to apply for a Resident Return visa |
Official Website to Apply |
Official Australian Government Department of Home Affairs Website |
What is a Subclass 191 Visa?
The Subclass 191 Visa, also known as the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, is a pathway visa for candidates seeking permanent residency in regional Australia.
What are the benefits of the Subclass 191 Visa?
Opting to study in Australia is a transformative choice, and the Subclass 191 Visa can greatly enrich this journey. The advantages of the Subclass 191 Visa go beyond just work and academics.
- The Subclass 91 Visa allows you to stay in Australia permanently, providing the freedom to work and study in the country.
- You become eligible to enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare, ensuring you have access to necessary health services.
- This visa provides the opportunity to sponsor your relatives to come to Australia, helping you stay connected with your family.
- It grants permission to travel to and from Australia for 5 years, offering flexibility for international travel.
- If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for Australian citizenship, further solidifying your ties with Australia.
These benefits not only provide temporary immigrants with opportunities for personal growth but also help address regional skills gaps and labour shortages.
Types of Subclass 191 Visa
Understanding the intricacies of the Subclass 191 Visa can simplify your path to permanent residency. This involves familiarising yourself with the various categories of the 191 Visa. Here are the types of Subclass 191 visas divided according to different nationalities.
Regional Provisional Stream |
Hong Kong Stream |
|
Description of the Stream |
This stream allows people who have lived and worked in designated regional areas of Australia on an eligible visa, to live and work in Australia permanently. |
This stream lets eligible Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders who have demonstrated commitment to Australia, live and work in Australia permanently. |
Age Criteria |
There is no age limit provided you were under 45 years old when you lodged your 494 or 491 visa. |
There are no specific age criteria mentioned for this stream. |
Validity |
The visa allows holders to remain in Australia permanently. The visa has a travel component that expires 5 years from the date of the visa grant. |
The visa allows holders to remain in Australia permanently. The visa has a travel component that expires 5 years from the date of the visa grant. |
Application Fee |
The application fee for the main applicant is AUD 475. |
The application fee for the main applicant is AUD 4,640. |
Eligibility Requirements for the Subclass 191 Visa
The Subclass 191 Visa serves as a launchpad for those who have adopted the regional Australian lifestyle and are poised to make it their permanent abode, offering a vibrant lifestyle and myriad opportunities.
Let’s see the eligibility criteria required for the Subclass 191 visa:
Regional Provisional Stream |
Hong Kong Stream |
|
Age Criteria |
There is no age limit provided you were under 45 years old when you lodged your 494 or 491 visa. |
There are no specific age criteria mentioned for this stream. |
Eligibility |
To be eligible, you must hold an eligible visa – subclass 491 or 494 visa and have held that visa for at least 3 years before you apply. |
To be eligible, you must hold a Hong Kong passport or a British National (Overseas) passport, have held an eligible visa at the time of your application – 457, 482 or 485 visas, have lived in a designated regional area in Australia for a continuous period of 3 years. |
Subclass 191 Visa Checklist
The application procedure for the Subclass 191 Visa needs a comprehensive understanding of the required documentation. We’ve assembled an exhaustive checklist of documents to assist you in this process.
Here is a checklist of documents that you may need during the application for the Subclass 191 Visa:
- Identity documents
- Proof of marital status
- Police certificates: Provide an overseas police certificate from the country, where you spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16.
- Military service records: Any military service records if you served in the armed forces of any country.
- Employer authorisation: Nominating employer authorisation for the dependents to be included in employer sponsor obligations.
- Photographs: Passport-size photographs.
- Academic certificates and transcripts.
- Employment reference letters and evidence of payslips.
- Professional registration or licence certificate.
- Curriculum vitae or Resume: This includes your full employment and educational history, including dates and positions held within the last ten years.
- Bank Statements, Tax Records and Superannuation Records: If Skills Assessment is required.
How to Apply for a Subclass 191 Visa?
The Skilled Regional 191 Visa, or Subclass 191, serves as a golden key to unlocking your Australian adventure. This guide will elucidate each stage of the 191 Visa application.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the Subclass 191 Visa:
- Eligibility: You must already be on a skilled regional visa, type 491 visa, 494 visa or 485 visa (HK passport holders).
- Income Requirement: You must have earned the minimum income ($53,900) for at least three years as the holder of a regional provisional visa.
- Residency Requirement: You must have maintained residency in a regional area.
- Work Requirement: You must have complied with the conditions of the regional provisional visa which includes working in a regional area.
- Organise Paperwork: Get all your paperwork organised.
- Apply for a Visa: Apply for the visa via your ImmiAccount.
- Pay Fee: Pay the first instalment of the fee.
- Await Instructions
- You will be mailed your visa application status.
Subclass 191 Visa Cost
The Subclass 191 Visa Cost varies depending on the stream:
Regional Provisional Stream:
- The cost for the main applicant is AUD 475.
- The cost for a dependent applicant 18 years old and above is AUD 240.
- The cost for dependents below 18 years old is AUD 120.
Hong Kong Stream:
- The Visa charge is AUD 4,640 for the main applicant.
Subclass 191 Visa Processing time
The processing time for the Subclass 191 Visa for both the Regional Provisional Stream and Hong Kong Stream, is typically around 2 - 4 months. However, this can vary depending on individual circumstances such as:
- The completeness of your application, including all necessary supporting documents.
- Your responsiveness in providing additional information when requested.
- Time taken to perform required checks on the supporting information provided.
- Time taken to receive information from external agencies, particularly concerning health, character and national security requirements.
Subclass 191 Visa Conditions
The Subclass 191 Visa, also known as the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa, has several conditions that international students must meet to apply and receive it:
- There is no specific age limit for the Subclass 191 Visas.
- You must be in Australia when you apply for this visa.
- You must already be on a skilled regional visa, type 491, 494 or 485 (HK passport holders).
- You must already be on a skilled regional visa, type 491, 494 or 485 (HK passport holders).
- You must have earned the minimum income ($53,900) for at least three years as the holder of a regional provisional visa.
- must have maintained residency in a regional area.
- You must have complied with all conditions of your current visa.
- You must have earned the minimum income ($53,900) for at least three years as the holder of a regional provisional visa.
- Must meet the educational and health requirements