Subclass 491 Visa 2026: Regional Nomination, 5-Year Visa and PR Pathway

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The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is a five-year provisional skilled visa designed for people who will live, work and study in designated regional Australia. An applicant generally needs nomination by a state or territory government agency or sponsorship by an eligible relative, together with the other skilled-migration requirements.

Five-year provisional visa

Home Affairs states that the subclass 491 visa allows a stay of five years. Visa holders can travel while the visa remains valid and must comply with the regional conditions attached to the visa.

Permanent residence pathway

Home Affairs states that eligible subclass 491 holders can apply for permanent residence after three years from visa grant. The later permanent residence application has its own legal requirements, so the three-year period should not be treated as an automatic conversion to permanent residence.

Points, occupation and skills assessment

Subclass 491 sits within the SkillSelect points-tested system. Home Affairs requires applicants to satisfy the points test, hold a suitable skills assessment for the nominated occupation, have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list and receive an invitation to apply.

State nomination or eligible-relative sponsorship

Most applicants focus on state or territory nomination. Each jurisdiction can set its own nomination criteria and priorities. Use our 2026–27 State Nomination Tracker to monitor official program settings and allocation developments.

Current visa charge example

Home Affairs currently lists the subclass 491 visa cost from AUD 6,140, with limited concessions applying in specified circumstances. Visa charges can change, so applicants should verify the amount immediately before lodgement using the official pricing tools.

491 versus 190

Subclass 190 is a permanent nominated visa. Subclass 491 is provisional and carries regional requirements, but it can provide a pathway to permanent residence for eligible holders. The right option depends on occupation, points, jurisdictional criteria, location strategy and the applicant's broader circumstances.

Primary source: Home Affairs subclass 491 guidance. Also see our Australian Visa Processing Times 2026 for current processing-time context.