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The Subclass 191 Visa (Permanent Residence – Skilled Regional) provides a permanent residency pathway for eligible skilled migrants who have lived, worked, and studied in regional Australia. This visa supports Australia’s commitment to regional growth by offering long-term residency options for skilled migrants who have contributed to regional areas on provisional visas, such as the Subclass 491 or 494. Here, we’ll cover essential information about the 191 Visa, including eligibility, validity, and recent skilled migration changes.
The Subclass 191 Visa offers permanent residency status for eligible applicants, allowing them to live and work anywhere in Australia indefinitely. This visa enables holders to access Australian public healthcare, social benefits, and educational pathways, and eventually apply for Australian citizenship if other criteria are met.
Since the 191 Visa grants permanent residency, there is no limit on the duration you can remain in Australia. This visa provides an indefinite stay with full work, study, and residency rights. Additionally, this visa includes re-entry rights for five years, which allows visa holders to travel outside Australia and return within that period. Once the five years expire, applicants can renew re-entry rights by applying for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) or pursue citizenship for more extensive travel flexibility.
The introduction of the 191 Visa primarily affects holders of the Subclass 491 and 494 Visas, which are provisional skilled regional visas. Holders of these temporary visas who have met specific requirements, such as minimum residency and work obligations in regional Australia, may be eligible to transition to the 191 Visa, achieving permanent residency.
For applicants transitioning from regional provisional visas, the 191 Visa replaces the previous pathway offered by the 887 Visa. This change aligns with Australia’s regional migration goals, ensuring that skilled migrants contribute to regional communities before obtaining permanent residency.
To qualify for the 191 Visa, applicants must meet specific criteria based on their prior residency and work in regional Australia. Here are the essential eligibility requirements:
✔️ Held a Regional Provisional Visa: Applicants must have held a Subclass 491 or 494 Visa and have adhered to the regional stay and work conditions associated with these visas.
✔️ Met Residency and Work Requirements: Applicants are typically required to have resided in regional Australia and met any designated income thresholds for at least three years prior to the 191 Visa application.
✔️ Compliant with Visa Conditions: Applicants must comply with all visa conditions on their temporary visa, including living, working, and studying only in designated regional areas.
✔️ Satisfactory Income Levels: Depending on future updates to migration regulations, applicants may need to demonstrate a minimum taxable income requirement for a specified period to ensure economic contribution to regional communities.
Australia’s skilled migration policies emphasize the development of regional areas through sustained skilled migration. By requiring temporary visa holders to live and work in regional Australia, the government supports economic growth outside major urban centers. The Subclass 191 Visa is part of a suite of policy changes aimed at encouraging skilled migrants to settle in regional areas for the long term, addressing both population distribution and regional workforce needs.
The transition from temporary to permanent residency through the 191 Visa ensures that only those who have genuinely contributed to regional Australia gain permanent residency. This shift is expected to have a lasting positive impact on regional communities by retaining skilled workers and enhancing economic resilience.
✔️ Permanent Residency Rights: Live and work in Australia indefinitely.
✔️ Access to Healthcare and Benefits: Enroll in Australia’s public healthcare system (Medicare) and access social benefits.
✔️ Path to Citizenship: The 191 Visa provides a pathway to Australian citizenship, subject to residency and eligibility criteria.
✔️ Education and Study: Freedom to pursue further education at all levels without restrictions tied to regional areas.
✔️ Travel Flexibility: Includes five years of travel rights, allowing visa holders to leave and return to Australia with ease.
The Subclass 191 Visa offers a rewarding pathway for skilled regional workers to achieve permanent residency, recognizing their contributions to regional Australia. With no limitations on where to live, work, or study upon visa grant, this visa provides a stable foundation for migrants committed to building a future in Australia.
