Regional Provisional stream
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191)
Introduction
The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) under the Regional Provisional stream grants individuals the opportunity to transition from a temporary to a permanent resident status in Australia. This visa is tailored for individuals who have resided and been employed in specified regional zones of Australia under an eligible visa.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for this visa, applicants must adhere to the conditions of their eligible visa during their stay in the regional areas. There is no minimum income requirement for this visa, simplifying the application process compared to other visa categories.
Documentation Requirements
Primary applicants must submit notices of assessment issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for three pay years out of the five years they have held their eligible visa. It is vital for candidates who have already filed their applications to ensure these three notices are included to meet the visa requirements.
By following these guidelines, eligible individuals can successfully apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) and secure their future in Australia’s vibrant regional communities.
Overview of Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191)
Stay Duration
Permanently
Cost
Starting from AUD 490.00
Processing Times
To get an idea of the processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This tool provides a general indication based on recently decided applications. Please be aware that this serves solely as a guideline and is not specific to your application.
Factors Affecting Processing Times
Each application is evaluated individually, and processing durations may fluctuate depending on various factors:
1. Completeness of Application: Whether you have lodged a complete application with all the compulsory supportive documents.
2. Response Time: How quickly you respond to requests for additional information.
3. Verification Checks: The time required to perform necessary checks on the supporting information provided.
4. External Agencies: The time it takes to receive information from external firms, character, mainly for health, and national safety/security requirements.
5. Program Availability: The number of places available in the migration program.
Benefits of This Visa
With the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191), you can:
- Work and pursue education throughout Australia.
- Sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence.
- You may appear for Australian citizenship if you fulfill the eligibility criteria.
Eligibility Requirements
To be appropriate for this visa, you must:
- You must have possessed a qualifying visa for a minimum of three years.
- Submit assessments issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for three income years within five years of your eligible visa. Please be aware that there is no mandatory income threshold.
- Ensure compliance with the terms of your current or previous eligible visa.
By meeting these criteria, you can pave the way for a permanent and gratifying life expectancy in Australia.
About This Visa
Key Benefits
With the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191), you can enjoy several significant benefits:
- Permanent Stay: Live in Australia indefinitely.
- Work and Study: Engage in employment and educational opportunities throughout Australia.
- Healthcare Access: Enroll in Medicare, Australia's public health care scheme.
- Family Sponsorship: Sponsor your relatives to accompany you to join you in Australia.
- Travel Flexibility: Travel to and from Australia for five years from the date your visa is permitted.
- Path to Citizenship: Submit for Australian citizenship if you fulfill the criteria of eligibility.
Initial Waiting Period
Newly arrived residents may be required to wait before gaining access to certain Australian Government payments and benefits.
Duration of Stay
This permanent visa, allows you to stay in Australia indefinitely. The visa includes a travel component that expires five years after the grant date. To travel after this period, you must apply for a Resident Return visa.
For citizenship purposes, your permanent residence begins on the day the visa is approved if you are in Australia.
Including Family Members
You can comprise associates of your family component in your application:
- At Application: Include them when you lodge your visa application.
- After Lodging: Add them after you lodge your application but before a conclusion is drawn on your visa.
Generally, family members included in your application do not need an eligible visa. However, they must hold an eligible visa if they no longer fit the standard definition of a family unit/component member but are still included in your application. For example, this applies if a child has turned 23 since getting an eligible visa.
All included family members must meet health and character requirements. This may also apply to family members not coming to Australia.
Newborn Children
If you have a child born in Australia after being granted your current visa, inform us before lodging this application. Ensure your child's current visa is linked to their passport, or you will be unable to lodge their application online.
Costs
- Main Applicant: AUD 490.00
- Additional Applicants (18 and over): AUD 245.00 each
- Additional Applicants (under 18): AUD 125.00 each
Extra costs may be applicable for health/fitness checks, police documentation, and biometrics.
Application Process
You can apply for this visa whether you are inside or outside Australia, but you cannot be in immigration clearance at the time of application.
Processing Times
For an indication of processing times, use the visa processing time guide tool. This provides a general timeline based on recently decided applications but is not specific to your case.
Factors Influencing Processing Times
Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Processing durations may vary due to:
- Completeness of the application, including all supporting documents.
- Timeliness in addressing requests for supplementary information.
- Time required to perform checks on the provided supporting information.
- Time taken to receive information from external agencies, especially for health/fitness, character, and national security/safety requirements.
- Availability of quotas in the migration program.
Eligibility for Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191)
Hold an Eligible Visa
To be valid for this visa, you must:
- Possess an eligible visa, specifically a subclass 491 or subclass 494 visa.
- Have held this eligible visa for at least three years before applying.
Income Requirement
While there is no minimum income requirement, you must:
- Submit assessments issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for three pay years within five years you have held your eligible visa.
Visa Compliance
You must:
- Comply with all the conditions of your eligible visa while in Australia for the entire duration of holding the visa.
Health Requirement
Both you and any family members included in your application must:
- Fulfill the health criteria established by the Australian Government. This may also apply to family members not accompanying you to Australia.
Character Requirement
To ensure eligibility, you and any family members aged 16 years and older included in your application must:
- Justify the character criteria established by the Australian Government. This may also extend to family members not coming to Australia.
Australian Values Statement
If you are 16 years or older, you must:
- Read, or have explained to you, the Life in Australia booklet.
- Sign an Australian Values Statement, affirming your respect for the Australian way of life and your commitment to obey Australian laws.
Government Debt
If you or any of your family members have outstanding debts to the Australian Government, you must:
- Repay the debt in full or arrange to repay it. This requirement applies even to those family members not applying for the visa with you.
Immigration History
Your immigration history is considered in the visa decision process. You may be ineligible for this visa if you have:
- Formerly had a visa annulled or an application rejected. However, in certain circumstances, you may still apply for a permanent visa despite past visa cancellations or application refusals. Mention the document "Limitations on Applications in Australia" (129KB PDF) for more details.
Applying from Outside Australia
If you are applying from outside Australia, see the guidelines on whether you can go to Australia.
Immigration Assistance
For help with your visa application, refer to resources on who can assist with your immigration process.
By ensuring you meet these comprehensive eligibility requirements, you can confidently apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) and work towards securing your future in Australia.
Step-by-Step Process to Apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191)
Step 1: Before You Apply
Gather and Prepare Your Documents
Before commencing the application process, it's vital to gather and prepare all necessary documents. This ensures a smooth and efficient application process.
Get Help with Your Application
If you need assistance with your application, only certain individuals are authorized to help:
- Registered Migration Agents
- Legal Practitioners
- Exempt Persons
You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf related to your visa matter.
Check Your Passport
Ensure that you and all family members included in your application have valid passports or travel documents. Up-to-date passports are crucial for submitting a complete and acceptable visa application.
By following these initial steps, you set a solid foundation for a successful application for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Identity, Character, and Compliance Documents
You need to provide comprehensive documents that prove your identity, character, and compliance with your visa conditions in Australia. This also includes documents for your partner and any dependent children.
Identity Documents
- Pages of your recent passport displaying your details,photo, passport issue, and expiry dates.
- A national identity card, should you possess one.
- Proof of any name changes (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce certificate, or official name change documents).
Character Documents
- Australian police certificate if you've spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the previous 10 years since turning 16. Only complete disclosure National Police Certificates from the Australian Federal Police are accepted.
- Overseas police certificates from every country, including your home country, where you have resided for a cumulative total of 12 months or more in the past 10 years since reaching the age of 16.
- Military service records or discharge papers if applicable.
- Complete and provide Form 80 (Personal particulars for character assessment) and Form 1221 (Additional personal particulars information).
Work and Residence Documents
- Proof of residence (e.g., leases, rental agreements, utility bills, school reports, title deeds).
- Proof of work (e.g., reference letters, payslips).
- Proof of study (e.g., school reports, academic transcripts, letters of completion).
Evidence of Income
- Notices of assessment issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for three pay years out of the five years of your eligible visa.
Relationship Documents
For married or de facto applicants, you must provide evidence of your genuine and continuing relationship, such as:
- Joint bank account statements.
- Billing accounts in joint names.
- Joint leases or mortgages.
- Documents showing you and your partner live at the same address.
For de facto relationships:
- An indication that your relationship is listed by an Australian State or Territory, or
- Proof of existence in a de facto relationship for at least 12 months before applying.
Dependents Under 18 Documents
For every dependent child under 18:
- Birth records or family registers displaying the names of both parents.
- Adoption papers, if applicable.
- Parental responsibility documents if necessary.
Parental Responsibility Documents:
- Form 1229 (Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a kid below the age of 18 years) or a statutory declaration giving consent.
- An Australian court decree permitting your child's migration, or proof that the home country’s laws permit migration.
- Identity documents showing the signature and photo of the consenting person (e.g., passport, driver’s license).
Dependents Over 18 Documents
For dependents over 18:
- Identity documents.
- Proof of relationship (e.g., birth certificate, adoption papers).
- Character documents.
- Marriage certificate, if applicable.
- Documentation pertaining to any other relationships, if applicable.
Getting Assistance with Your Application
If you need help with your application, only specific individuals can assist you:
- Registered migration agents.
- Legal practitioners.
- Exempt persons.
You can also assign someone to collect documents on your behalf using:
- Form 956A (Appointment or withdrawal of an authorized recipient).
- Form 956 (Appointment of a registered legal practitioner, migration agent, or exempt person).
Preparing Your Documents
Translation Requirements
- Convert all documents not in English into English.
- Submit both the original documents and their translations.
- Interpreters in Australia must be credited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
- Translators outside Australia should include their full name, address, telephone number, qualifications, and experience in the translation.
Document Scanning
- Scan or photograph all documents (both English and non-English) in color.
- Confirm photos and scans are clear.
- If a document has multiple pages, save it as a single file.
By carefully gathering and preparing all necessary documents, you will ensure a smooth and efficient application process for your Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).
Step 3: Apply for the Visa
Submit Your Application Online
You can conveniently apply for this visa online, whether you are inside or outside Australia.
Ensure Accurate Information
Make sure to provide accurate and truthful information in your application. Inaccurate information or failure to verify your identity can lead to significant issues.
How to Apply Online Using ImmiAccount
1. Login or Generate an ImmiAccount
- Visit the ImmiAccount portal.
- Log in if you already have an account, or generate a new account if you do not.
2. Attach Your Documents
- Upload all the required documents to support your application. Ensure they are clear and properly scanned.
3. Pay the Application Fee
- Pay the first installment of the visa application charge. Your application will only be processed upon receipt of this payment.
4. Note Your Transaction Reference Number (TRN)
- Keep a record of your Transaction Reference Number (TRN). This number is vital for tracking your application position/status.
By following these steps, you ensure that your application for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) is complete and submitted correctly, paving the way for a seamless processing experience.
Step 4: After You Apply
Application Acknowledgment
Once we receive your application, we will notify you. If you are approved for a bridging visa, you will receive a notification of your visa grant.
Status Updates
We do not provide updates on applications under assessment. However, you can check if additional information is needed in your ImmiAccount.
Travel While the Application is Processed
You do not need to inform us if you wish to travel outside Australia during the processing of your application. Ensure you have a valid visa to return. Verify your return eligibility using VEVO. Learn more about visa expiry.
Health Examinations
We will inform you if health examinations are required.
Biometrics
Biometrics (fingerprints and photos) may be required. You will be updated if this is mandatory.
Submitting Additional Information
If you did not attach all required documents during your initial application, upload them as soon as possible through ImmiAccount. We might request more information, but we may also make a decision without asking for additional documents.
Maintaining Lawful Status
If you apply for a visa in Australia, ensure you remain lawful by holding a valid visa throughout the application process. If your current visa expires before a decision is reached, you may be entitledto a bridging visa (BV)on your new application. The BV allows you to stay in Australia while your new visa is processed. Do not request the cancellation of your current visa; doing so will render you unlawful and cease your BV.
Adding Family Members
You can add family members to your application after submission but before a decision is made. Comprehensive Form 1436 - Adding applicant after lodgment, pay through ImmiAccount, and attach the form and supporting documents to your ImmiAccount. Family associates must fulfill health and character necessities, even if they do not intend to come to Australia.
Newborn Child
If your child is born after submitting your application but before a decision is made, inform us immediately. Discover what steps to take if your child is born after you have submitted your application.
Correcting Mistakes in Your Application
If you notice any mistakes in your application, inform us as soon as possible. Complete Form 1023 - Notification of incorrect answers, and attach it in your ImmiAccount.
Changes to Your Application Assistance
If you no longer want someone to receive your correspondence or provide immigration advice, complete the appropriate forms:
- Form 956A (Appointment or withdrawal of an authorized recipient)
- Form 956 (Appointment of a registered legal practitioner,migration agent, or exempt person)
Upload the completed forms to your ImmiAccount.
Notifying Us of Changes
Inform us promptly about any changes, including:
- Phone number, email, address, or passport details
- Marital or de facto status
- Birth of a child
- Withdrawal of your application (removing it from ImmiAccount does not withdraw it)
Step 5: Visa Outcome
Decision Notification
You can be either inside or outside Australia when we make a decision on your visa application. You will receive our decision in written form.
If Your Visa is Granted
If your visa application is successful, we will provide you with the following details:
- Visa Grant Number: A unique number assigned to your visa.
- Start Date: The date when your visa becomes effective.
- Visa Conditions: Any conditions that may apply to your visa.
It is important to keep a copy of this decision for your records.
If Your Visa is Refused
If your visa application is not successful, we will inform you of the following:
- Reasons for Refusal: An explanation of why your visa was refused.
- Review Rights: Information on whether you have the right to request a review of the decision.
Please note that the application charge is non-refundable, even if your visa application is refused.
When You Have This Visa: A Comprehensive Guide
Benefits of the Visa
Holding this visa grants you numerous privileges in Australia, including:
- Permanent Residency: Stay in Australia indefinitely.
- Employment and Education: Engage in work and study opportunities.
- Health Care Entree:Register in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare.
- Family Sponsorship: Sponsor your relatives to come to Australia.
- Travel Flexibility: Travel to and from Australia for five years.
- Pathway to Citizenship:If you fulfill the standards, you can submit for Australian citizenship.
Responsibilities on This Visa
You and your family members must comply with all Australian laws while holding this visa.
Duration of Stay
This is a permanent visa, allowing you to reside in Australia indefinitely.
Travel Conditions
You have the liberty to journey to and from Australia for a period of up to five years on this visa from the date your visa is permitted. After this period, to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident, you will need a Resident Return (RRV) visa (subclass 155 or 157). Check your visa details using VEVO to monitor the travel validity period.
Special Considerations for New Zealand Passport Holders
If you hold a New Zealand passport, inform the immigration officer at the border that you have a Skilled Regional visa (subclass 191) and that you do not wish to be approvedfor a Special Category visa (subclass 444). Receiving a subclass 444 visa will void your permanent visa, impacting your eligibility for Australian citizenship.
Proof of Visa
To verify your visa status and conditions, use VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online).
Employment Rights
As a visa holder, you are protected under Australian workplace laws. Acquaint yourself with your office rights and privileges/entitlements.
Sponsoring Family Members
As an Australian permanent resident, you may sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia. Explore various visa options for your family.
Becoming an Australian Citizen
After gratifying certain residency necessities, you may be entitledto apply for Australian citizenship. For citizenship purposes, your permanent residence status begins on the day your visa is granted.
Guidelines for Leaving Australia
Before You Leave
- Check Travel Documents: Confirm you have a valid passport or other travel documents for your journey.
- Visa Validity: Verify that your visa is valid and allows re-entry into Australia using VEVO. If your visa has expired or is approaching expiration, follow the necessary steps to renew it.
At the Border
- Using SmartGate: Expedite your departure process by using SmartGate, which employs facial recognition technology and your ePassport for faster clearance.
After You Leave
- Proof of Travel: If you need to provide proof to obtain records of your travel to and from Australia, you can request a copy of your international movement records.
Disclaimer:
While the information provided about the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) Regional Provisional stream on this site is comprehensive and informative, readers should conduct their own thorough research. Visit YourPressUSA for detailed insights, and explore additional reputable sources to ensure a well-rounded understanding of this visa pathway.
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