Why apply for 191 Visa Australia?

• Live, work and study anywhere in Australia permanently
• Freely travel to and from Australia for up to 5 years
• Sponsor family members for Australian immigration
• Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
• Enrol for PHC Scheme of Australia

Australia Skilled Regional PR Visa – 191 Visa Australia

The Australia Skilled Regional PR Visa Subclass 191 is designed for individuals who have lived in any designated regional area in Australia on a valid visa, i.e., either visa subclass 494 or 491.

With this visa, they can live and work anywhere in Australia permanently and can bring their family members to Australia. To qualify for visa subclass 191, they must have lived in Australia for at least 3 years on a valid visa and meet the minimum income threshold as well for a minimum of three income years.

Benefits of 191 Visa

• It’s a permanent visa. It allows you to stay in Australia indefinitely.
• Visa comes with a travel component, and you can freely travel to and from Australia on this visa for up to 5 years.
• You can sponsor your family members, including your spouse or partner and dependent children, to Australia.
• You and your family will be entitled to enrol for Medicare Public Health Care Scheme in Australia.
• You can also sponsor certain relatives for immigration to Australia.
• You can also qualify to apply for citizenship in Australia upon meeting the minimum residence requirement.

191 Visa Eligibility

To qualify for Visa Subclass 191, candidates must meet the below-listed eligibility requirements:

• Residence requirement: Candidates must have lived and worked in Australia for a minimum of three years on a valid visa
• Eligible visa holder: Candidates must have held any one of the valid visa:
  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), or
  • Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Provisional Visa Subclass 494
• Minimum income: No minimum income requirement to be met.
• Complying with visa conditions: Candidates must have complied with their specific visa conditions when living and working in Australia.
• Admissibility: Candidates must meet Australia’s health and character requirements to be admissible.

Subclass 191 Visa Requirements

To apply for Visa Subclass 191, applicants must gather and submit the following documents:

• Valid passport, birth certificate, etc.
• Evidence of holding a valid Australian Visa Subclass 491 or 494
• Evidence of residing and working in any designated regional area in Australia for at least 3 years whether on Visa Subclass 491 or 494, like-
  • Utility bills (telephone, electricity, etc.)
  • Rent or lease agreement
  • School reports
  • Home title deeds
  • Reference letter and payslips as proof of work
• Police clearance certificate

Subclass 191 Visa Checklist and Application Timeline

Preparing a complete, decision-ready application is the best way to avoid unnecessary delays. Below is a practical checklist and a step-by-step timeline of the Subclass 191 process.

Decision-Ready Checklist

• Identity & passport details.
• 491 or 494 visa evidence and proof of compliance.
• Income proof: ATO Notices of Assessment for the required years, plus employer letters if necessary.
• Residence evidence: Documents showing regional compliance.
• Health and police clearances.
• Relationship and dependency documents (if adding family members).

Typical Application Timeline

• Application lodged (onshore): A Bridging Visa A (BVA) is queued and activates when your current visa expires.
• Biometrics, health, and police checks are processed in parallel with your application.
• Case officer requests: If additional documents are required, respond promptly to avoid processing resets.
• Final decision: Visa granted, permanent residency confirmed, and your VEVO record updated.

Steps to Apply Subclass 191 Visa

Step 1: Gather supporting documents

Step 2: Apply for the visa either from outside or within Australia  

Step 3: Pay the visa application fee

Step 4: Submit visa application along with supporting documents

Step 5: Wait for the visa outcome

Subclass 191 Visa Processing Times

Detailed information about the processing times for Subclass 191 Visa is given below:

50% of applications (median)	~9 months
75th percentile	~10 months
90% of applications	~13 months
FOI release (to 31 May 2025)	Median 7 months; 75th percentile 10 months; 90th percentile 12 months
Earlier program years	Faster (often under 3 months), but caseload growth has extended timelines
Recommendation	Always check the Global Visa Processing Times tool for monthly updates

191 Visa Fees

The DHA (Department of Home Affairs) processes each application on a case-by-case basis; as a result, the processing times vary based on different circumstances.

191 Visa Application Fees

For regional provisional stream

• Base application fee (primary applicant): AUD 435
• Additional applicant fee (18 and above): AUD 220
• Additional applicant fee (under 18): AUD 110

For Hong Kong Stream

• Base application fee (primary applicant): AUD 4,240
• Additional applicant fee (18 and above): AUD 2,120
• Additional applicant fee (under 18): AUD 1,060

Subclass 191 Visa Delays and How to Avoid Them

Processing times for the Subclass 191 visa can vary significantly depending on the quality and timing of your application. Understanding common causes of delay — and preparing effectively — can help speed up your outcome.

Common Factors That Cause Delays

• Missing documents or unclear income evidence.
• Delays in health and police checks being cleared.
• High-volume application periods when DHA reallocates resources.
• Adding family members after lodgement.
• Policy changes that impact eligibility or trigger additional review.

Pro Tips to Reduce Delays

• Lodge decision-ready: Submit a complete application with all documents upfront.
• Income evidence: Upload ATO Notices of Assessment, supported by employer letters if required.
• Checks early: Complete health and police checks before the case officer requests them.
• Regional proof: Provide clear evidence of regional residence to avoid extra queries.
• Stay updated: Monitor the DHA processing times tool regularly and respond quickly to any requests for information.

Pro Tips for a Smooth Subclass 191 Visa Application

To maximise your chances of a faster decision and minimise delays, keep these practical tips in mind:

• Lodge complete evidence: Submit all required documents upfront, including income, residency, and relationship proof.
• Pre-complete health and police checks: Get these done early so they don’t hold up your application once assessed.
• Show clear residence proof: Provide strong evidence of meeting your regional residence obligations under your 491 or 494 visa.
• Follow up promptly: Respond quickly and thoroughly to any requests from the Department of Home Affairs to avoid resets or delays.

How can Y-Axis assist you?

 Y-Axis offers unbiased Australian immigration consultancy services, including:

• Thorough guidance for Australia Immigration pathways
• Expert English language coaching, like IELTS
• Free eligibility check via Australia Immigration Points Calculator
• Free career counselling services
   

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