Eligible visa
Hold a 491 or 494 for at least three years
You must hold an eligible visa when you apply. For this stream, an eligible visa is subclass 491 or 494, and you must have held an eligible visa for at least three years before applying.
Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa
A permanent visa pathway for eligible subclass 491 and 494 holders who meet the Regional Provisional stream requirements, including eligible-visa history, ATO notices of assessment and visa-condition compliance.
Registered agent MARN 2519006 Seven Hills and Australia-wide Reviewed 22 July 2026
Subclass 191 is the permanent stage, not the starting visa
The Regional Provisional stream of subclass 191 is designed for people who already hold an eligible regional provisional visa. It is different from applying for subclass 491 or subclass 494 in the first place.
| Visa | What it is | How it is obtained | Role in the pathway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 491 | Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) | State or territory nomination, or eligible-relative sponsorship, plus invitation and skilled-visa criteria | Eligible provisional visa that may support a later 191 application |
| Subclass 494 | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) | Eligible regional employer sponsorship and nomination, plus the worker and visa criteria | Eligible provisional visa that may support a later 191 application |
| Subclass 191 | Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) | A separate permanent visa application after meeting the applicable stream requirements | Permanent outcome if the application is granted |
Important: Three years on a 491 or 494 does not automatically grant permanent residence. The applicant must lodge a valid subclass 191 application, meet the requirements in force and receive a grant decision.
Current Regional Provisional stream requirements
Home Affairs currently identifies three central requirements. Other general visa criteria, including health, character, identity, Australian values and government-debt matters, can also apply.
ATO evidence
Three income years out of five
You must provide notices of assessment issued by the Australian Taxation Office for three income years out of the five years of your eligible visa. Home Affairs currently states that there is no minimum income requirement.
Compliance
Comply with eligible-visa conditions
You must have complied with the conditions of the eligible visa while in Australia. Home Affairs states that this requirement applies for the whole period you hold the relevant visa or visas.
Plan the evidence before the three-year point
A subclass 191 file is easier to prepare when tax, address, employment and visa-condition records have been retained throughout the provisional period.
- ATO notices: download and retain the official notice of assessment for each relevant income year, not only a tax return or payslip.
- Visa timeline: keep every 491 or 494 grant notice, passport record and evidence of any visa transition or family-member change.
- Regional residence: retain leases, utility bills, title records, correspondence and other records showing where you and your family lived.
- Work history: keep payslips, employment contracts, employer references and records that explain breaks or changes.
- Study records: retain school reports, academic transcripts and completion letters where study is relevant to condition compliance.
- Condition history: check each visa condition and gather evidence that addresses residence, work and study obligations across the full period.
A practical 491 or 494 to 191 timeline
Good pathway planning starts when the provisional visa is granted, not just before the permanent application.
1. Confirm the feeder visa
Identify whether the person holds subclass 491 or 494, the grant date, stream, family members and every condition recorded on the grant notice.
2. Track compliance
Keep a dated record of regional addresses, employment, study and any change that could affect a visa condition.
3. Lodge tax returns
Complete tax obligations and retain ATO notices of assessment so the required three income years can be evidenced.
4. Review before applying
Check the eligible-visa holding period, notices, debts, identity, health, character and family evidence against the current requirements.
5. Apply for subclass 191
Lodge the separate permanent visa application with complete, consistent evidence and respond to any Home Affairs request.
What changes after a subclass 191 grant?
Subclass 191 is a permanent visa. A person granted the visa can stay in Australia permanently and generally work and study anywhere in Australia, subject to Australian law.
- The Regional Provisional stream leads to permanent status; it is not another provisional visa.
- A permanent resident may sponsor eligible family members under the requirements of a suitable visa.
- Australian citizenship is a separate process with its own residence and eligibility rules.
- Permanent residence and the permission to return after overseas travel are related but distinct; check the visa travel facility before travel.
Subclass 191 questions
Is subclass 191 the same as subclass 491 or 494?
No. Subclasses 491 and 494 are provisional regional visas. Subclass 191 is a separate permanent visa application for eligible holders who meet the Regional Provisional stream requirements.
How long must I hold an eligible visa before applying for subclass 191?
For the Regional Provisional stream, the current Home Affairs criteria require you to hold an eligible subclass 491 or 494 visa when applying and to have held an eligible visa for at least three years.
Is there a minimum income requirement for subclass 191?
Home Affairs currently states that there is no minimum income requirement for this stream. You must provide ATO notices of assessment for three income years out of the five years of your eligible visa.
Does three years on a 491 or 494 guarantee permanent residence?
No. Subclass 191 requires a separate application and decision. You must meet the requirements in force, including eligible-visa history, tax notices and compliance with the conditions of your eligible visa.
What evidence should I keep for a subclass 191 application?
Keep ATO notices of assessment, visa records and documents showing regional residence, work and study where relevant. Home Affairs gives examples such as leases, utility bills, payslips, employer references, school reports and academic records.
Preparing to move from 491 or 494 to subclass 191?
Send your visa grant dates, conditions, regional history, ATO notices and family details for a structured permanent-residence review.