Pathways / Subclass 191

Grants permanent residency

Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa

The permanent visa that 491 and 494 holders convert to after three regional years.

The 191 is the destination for anyone on a 491 or 494 provisional visa. It is not points-tested and there is no new skills assessment or English test - it is a compliance visa. Provided you have genuinely lived in the region, met the income requirement and complied with your conditions, it is a comparatively straightforward grant.

Watch for thisThe income requirement is evidenced through ATO Notices of Assessment. If you have years of low or unreported income, or you moved out of the region, the 191 becomes very hard. Sort this out early, not in year three.
Grants
Permanent residence
Eligibility
Held 491 or 494 for at least 3 years
Points test
None
Income evidence
ATO Notices of Assessment for 3 income years
Age limit
None

What you need

  • Hold, or have held, a subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least three years.
  • Have complied with the conditions of that provisional visa throughout.
  • Show taxable income at or above the required threshold for at least three income years.
  • Meet health and character requirements.

How it works, step by step

  1. From day one on a 491 or 494, keep evidence: leases, utility bills, payslips, employment contracts.
  2. Lodge tax returns every year without fail and keep every ATO Notice of Assessment.
  3. After three years, apply for the 191 with the full evidence pack.

Strengths

  • No points test
  • No new skills assessment or English test
  • No age limit
  • High success rate for compliant holders

Trade-offs

  • Requires three disciplined years of record-keeping
  • Any breach of the regional condition can end the pathway
Check whether this fits you →

Registered migration agents

We are building a directory of MARN-registered agents and immigration lawyers. Listings are checked against the public register before they appear.

How the directory works

Placement shown on the subclass 191 page.

General information, not migration advice. myPRJourney summarises publicly available information about Australian visas so you can understand your options. It does not assess your case, and it is not a substitute for advice from a registered migration agent (MARN) or Australian legal practitioner. Migration rules, occupation lists, income thresholds and state nomination criteria change frequently and sometimes without notice. This page was last reviewed on 21 July 2026. Always confirm current requirements directly with the Department of Home Affairs at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.