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Subclass 191 Visa 2026: Permanent Residence for Skilled Regional Visa Holders
The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) provides a permanent residence pathway for eligible holders of regional provisional visas who meet the applicable residence, work, income and visa-compliance requirements.
A permanent visa without a new sponsor or nominator
Home Affairs states that applicants in the Regional Provisional stream do not need a sponsor or nominator for the subclass 191 application. The applicant instead relies on their history as the holder of an eligible regional visa and compliance with the relevant requirements.
The three-year framework
Home Affairs states that applicants must have held an eligible visa for at least three years and complied with the conditions of that visa. The subclass also applies income-related criteria over the relevant period. Applicants should check the law and current Department guidance at the time of application rather than assuming time alone creates eligibility.
Current visa cost
Home Affairs currently lists the subclass 191 application charge from AUD 630, with limited concessions in specified circumstances. Fees can change, so confirm the amount immediately before application through the official pricing tools.
How 491 and 494 connect to 191
The subclass 491 and subclass 494 visas are the principal modern regional provisional pathways. Their nomination or sponsorship models differ, but both can lead toward permanent residence for eligible holders. Our Australian Visa Subclass Database explains how these subclasses fit together.
Primary source: Home Affairs subclass 191 guidance. See also Australian Visa Fees 2026–27.
