Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191)
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191)
Latest 191 visa news: No Minimum Income Requirement
Visa Streams and Requirements
Regional Provisional Stream
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191)
The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191) allows individuals holding a qualifying visa who have lived for at least 3 years in a designated regional area and who have also earned the specified income amount, to reside permanently in Australia. The visa can include eligible members of your family. You do not need a sponsor or be nominated for this visa.
The announced minimum requirements for this visa are set out below:
SKILLED REGIONAL VISA REQUIREMENTS
Visa Applicant
You must:
- hold a qualifying visa for at least 3 years prior to the visa application as listed below
- subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa; or
- subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa
- have complied with the conditions of the qualifying visa while in Australia (as detailed above), including any family members holding the same qualifying visa as a dependent
- have lived in a designated regional area for at least 3 years on a qualifying visa (as detailed above)
- have earned an Australian taxable income of at least the income threshold specified, for at least three years while holding your qualifying visa
- have functional English or pay the second visa application charge
- meet relevant health and character criteria, including any family members holding the same qualifying visa as a dependent
NOTES:
The income threshold has not yet been announced, but will be at least AUD53,900 per taxable income year. Additionally, COVID-19 event income concessions have not been announced for this visa pathway.
Hong Kong Stream
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191)
The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) allows eligible Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders who have demonstrated commitment to Australia, live and work in Australia permanently.
The announced minimum requirements for this visa are set out below:
HONG KONG STREAM REQUIREMENTS
Visa Applicant
You must:
- hold an eligible visa at the time you make your visa application. You must have held that visa for at least 3 years before that date. Multiple visas, including visas of the same subclass, cannot be combined to meet this requirement
- You must have been granted one of the following eligible visas on the basis of meeting the primary criteria:
- Subclass 457
- Subclass 482
- Subclass 485
- If your visa was granted before 9 July 2020, your visa must not expire after 8 July 2025
- If your visa was granted on or after 9 July 2020, your visa must be valid for 5 years
- You must have been granted one of the following eligible visas on the basis of meeting the primary criteria:
- hold a passport from Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) at the time you apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191)
- have lived in a designated regional area for at least 3 years on an eligible visa (as detailed above) immediately before you apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191). Designated Regional Areas are defined by postcode.
- have undertaken Work or Study 3 years immediately before you apply for a Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191), and this must have been in a designated regional area.
- have complied with the conditions of your eligible visa while in Australia (as detailed above), including any family members holding the same qualifying visa as a dependent
- have functional English or pay the second visa application charge
- meet relevant health and character criteria, including any family members holding the same qualifying visa as a dependent
Applies to Both Streams of the Skilled Regional 191 Visa:
With this visa you can
- stay in Australia permanently
- work and study in Australia
- enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare
- sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
- travel to and from Australia for 5 years
- if eligible, apply for Australian Citizenship.
Can I include family in the 191 Visa?
You can include members of the family unit in your application.
You can:
- include them when you lodge your visa application.
- add them after you lodge your application but before the Department of Home Affairs makes a decision on your visa application.
Generally, family members included in your application do not need an eligible visa.
Family members must hold an eligible visa if:
- they no longer meet the standard definition of member of the family unit, and
- you include them in your application.
Their eligible visa must have been granted on the basis that they were a member of your family unit. This provision applies, for example, if you want to include a child in your application who has turned 23 years of age since getting an eligible visa.
Family members included in your application must meet health and character requirements. Family members not coming to Australia may also need to meet health and character requirements.
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