The Subclass 191 Visa, also known as the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa, is a pathway for skilled workers who have held a provisional visa for at least three years and have lived and worked in a designated regional area of Australia. This visa allows eligible individuals to live and work permanently in Australia without needing a sponsor or nomination.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Subclass 191 Visa, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Hold an eligible visa: Applicants must have held a Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa or a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa for at least three years.

2. Residency: Applicants must have lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least three years while holding the provisional visa.

3. Income: There is no minimum income requirement, but applicants must provide notices of assessment from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for at least three income years out of the five years holding the provisional visa.

4. Health and character requirements: Applicants must meet the health and character requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs.

Requirements

In addition to the eligibility criteria, applicants must also comply with the following requirements:

1. Medical check: Applicants and their family members must undergo a medical examination to ensure they meet the health requirements. This includes blood tests, chest x-rays, and vaccination assessments.

2. Police report: Applicants must provide a police clearance certificate from each country they have lived in for 12 months or more during the past 10 years.

3. English test requirement: The primary applicant does not need to demonstrate English proficiency. However, secondary applicants (spouses, de facto partners, and children over 18) must show functional English proficiency. If they cannot demonstrate functional English, an additional visa application charge of approximately AUD 5,000 applies.

4. Visa cost: The visa application charge for the Subclass 191 Visa is AUD 4,885 for the primary applicant and an additional AUD 4,885 for each secondary applicant aged 18 or older.

Various Types of Subclass 191 Visa

The Subclass 191 Visa itself does not have different types or subclasses. However, it is part of the broader Skilled Regional pathway, which includes the following provisional visas that lead to the Subclass 191 Visa:

1. Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa: This visa is for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia. Applicants must be nominated by a state or territory government or an eligible employer in regional Australia.

2. Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa: This visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by an employer in regional Australia. The employer must be able to demonstrate that they cannot find an appropriately skilled Australian to fill the position.

Additional Information

The Subclass 191 Visa offers several benefits, including:

• Permanent residency: Holders can live and work anywhere in Australia.

• Travel: Visa holders can travel to and from Australia as frequently as necessary for up to five years.

• Family sponsorship: Visa holders can sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence.

• Medicare: Visa holders and their family members can access Australia’s Medicare public health care scheme.

• Pathway to citizenship: After fulfilling the residence requirement, visa holders can apply for Australian citizenship.

Conclusion

The Subclass 191 Visa offers a valuable pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers who have demonstrated their commitment to living and working in regional Australia. By meeting the eligibility criteria and requirements, applicants can enjoy the benefits of permanent residency, including the ability to live and work anywhere in Australia, access to Medicare, and the opportunity to sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence. This visa also provides a pathway to Australian citizenship, allowing visa holders to fully integrate into Australian society.

For more detailed information, you can visit the Department of Home Affairs website