Subclass 191 Visa – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa
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191 Skilled Regional Visa
The Australia Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 191) is a pathway to permanent residency designed to encourage skilled workers to contribute to the growth and development of regional areas in Australia. It’s a transition from the temporary Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa, Subclass 491, which mandates a certain period of residence in a designated regional area.
To qualify for the Subclass 191 visa, applicants must have held a Subclass 491 or Subclass 494 visa for at least three years. During this time, they need to have abided by the conditions of their visa, including living, working, and studying in a designated regional area. Additionally, they must demonstrate sufficient taxable income for the specified period, meeting the minimum threshold.
Requirements for your employee to apply for a Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 191)
Applicants must continue to satisfy the health and character requirements and not have any outstanding debts to the Australian government. Like other permanent visas, the Subclass 191 provides access to Australia’s healthcare and social security systems.
The Subclass 191 visa offers a unique advantage: it grants permanent residency directly, without the need for a two-step process. It recognizes the applicant’s contribution to the regional community and their commitment to regional development.
The Skilled Regional Visa serves as a bridge to permanent residency for those who have already built a life in a regional area of Australia. It acknowledges their role in fostering economic growth and social cohesion in these regions. The pathway not only grants the privileges of permanent residency but also underlines the significance of regional contributions in Australia’s immigration framework.
For More InfoTypes Of Subclass 191 Skilled Regional Visa Streams
There are two streams of 191 Skilled Regional Visa available. Which one is your scenario?
Regional provisional stream
The Regional Provisional Stream grants permanent residency to individuals who have resided and worked in designated Australian regional areas under an eligible visa for a minimum of 3 years, adhering to visa conditions and maintaining a specified income threshold. No sponsorship or nomination is required, offering a straightforward path to permanent residency. Eligibility is based on compliance with visa and income requirements.
Hong Kong stream
Hong Kong Stream: This visa offers eligible Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders the opportunity to attain permanent residency in Australia, provided they meet specific visa and residence requirements. No sponsorship or nomination is necessary for this pathway, which caters to individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to Australia.
Points-Based Selection System
To apply for this visa, you must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the SkillSelect system. Your profile is then ranked against others based on a points test, and the Department of Home Affairs issues invitations to the highest-ranking applicants.
To be eligible, you must score at least 65 points based on:
- Age
- Educational qualifications (Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD)
- English language proficiency
- Work experience (inside and outside Australia)
- Partner’s skills
- NAATI accreditation (community language skills)
- Professional Year Program completion
- Australian qualifications
- Study in regional areas
Note: BFES Global helps you calculate your points and improve your EOI score.
To apply for this visa, you must:
- Be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation
- Nominate an occupation on the MLTSSL
- Have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and receive an invitation to apply
- Demonstrate competent English proficiency
- Meet health and character requirements
- Not hold any outstanding debt to the Australian Government
To meet the language requirement, you must score:
- IELTS: Minimum of 6.0 in each band
- PTE Academic: Minimum of 50 in each band
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum of 12 (Listening), 13 (Reading), 21 (Writing), and 18 (Speaking)
- OET: Score of B in each component
- Cambridge (CAE): Minimum of 169 in each component
Applicants and their family members must:
- Complete health examinations within 12 months prior to visa application
- Provide police clearance certificates for any country where they lived for 12+ months in the last 10 years (from age 16 onwards)
Including Family Members in Your Application
You may include the following family members in your 189 visa application:
- Your spouse or de facto partner
- Your or your partner’s dependent child or stepchild
All dependents must meet health and character criteria.
