Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191)
The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) is designed to allow eligible individuals to live and work in Australia permanently. It offers several benefits, including the ability to stay in Australia indefinitely, work and study in the country, enroll in Australia's public health care scheme (Medicare), sponsor relatives to come to Australia, travel to and from Australia for 5 years, and if eligible, apply for Australian citizenship. However, newly arrived residents may need to wait before accessing certain Australian Government payments and benefits.
The visa is available through two streams: the Regional Provisional stream and the Hong Kong stream. The Regional Provisional stream is for individuals who have resided and worked in designated regional areas of Australia on an eligible visa, provided they have complied with the conditions of their eligible visa. The Hong Kong stream is open to eligible Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders who have demonstrated their commitment to Australia.
The cost for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) varies:
– Main applicant: AUD475.00
– Additional applicant (18 years or older): AUD240.00
– Additional applicant (under 18 years): AUD120.00
Additional costs may be incurred for health checks, police certificates, and biometrics.
This visa is permanent, allowing individuals to stay in Australia indefinitely. It includes a travel component that remains valid for 5 years after the date of visa grant. For those considering Australian citizenship, permanent residence commences on the day the visa is granted if the applicant is in Australia.
Processing times for this visa are assessed on a case-by-case basis and can vary depending on individual circumstances. Factors that influence processing times include the completeness of the application, the time taken to respond to requests for more information, and the duration required for various checks and assessments. The availability of places in the migration program can also impact processing times.
To be eligible for this visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:
– Hold an eligible visa, specifically a subclass 491 or subclass 494 visa, for at least 3 years before applying.
– Satisfy the income requirement, which involves providing notices of assessment from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for three income years out of the five years of the eligible visa.
– Comply with the conditions of the eligible visa during their stay in Australia.
– Have a clean immigration history, with no prior visa cancellations or application refusals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can travel to and from Australia for up to 5 years from the date of visa grant. After this period, you’ll need a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
You can include them when you lodge your visa application or add them after you’ve lodged the application but before the decision is made. Family members must meet health and character requirements.
Applicants must either have functional English or be prepared to pay the second instalment of the visa application charge when requested.
or visas granted before this date, they must not expire after July 8, 2025.
If eligible, you can apply for Australian citizenship while holding this visa.
Yes, family members who are not coming to Australia may also need to meet health and character requirements.
There is no minimum income requirement for this visa; however, applicants must provide notices of assessment from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for the specified income years.
Currently, there are no frequently asked questions available for the Aged Dependent Relative Visa (Subclass 114).