The 191 Visa, also acknowledged as the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, is a pathway for skilled workers from all over the world to obtain PR (permanent residency) in Australia. This visa category was introduced in November 2019 as part of the government’s initiative to stimulate regional development and address labor shortages outside major cities.
To be eligible for this visa, applicants must first hold an eligible provisional visa — either a subclass 491 or subclass 494 visa — and have lived and worked in a designated regional area for at least three years. Furthermore, they must meet certain health and character requirements and demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency.
Holders of the 191 Visa are permitted to live permanently in Australia, work full-time without limits, get Medicare benefits, pursue educational opportunities, sponsor eligible family for permanent residence, and travel freely within Australia.
It is an appealing alternative for talented individuals looking for long-term settlement chances in regional locations with diversified career opportunities and a high quality of life.
About 191 Visa
Before moving ahead let’s talk about this particular and immigration with this type of vias. 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, is a path for talented migrants prepared to live and work in regional Australia, also this is consider as the most chosen visa in Australia immigration. As aresult, this visa is part of Australia’s highly skilled immigration policy. And this is aims to address shortages of skilled labor in regional areas of the country by encouraging migrants to migrate outside of major cities.
To be eligible for the 191 Visa, applicants must already hold a valid temporary visa and have resided while employed in a certain regional area for a minimum of three years. Under certain conditions, such as ongoing employment or company ownership in a specific part of the country, this visa permits permanent residency. With the 191 Visa, people can take advantage of all the advantages of permanent residence within the nation while also lending their skills and knowledge to local development.
Step by Step Application Process
The application process for 191 Visa, also known as the step-by-step application process, is a comprehensive and intricate procedure designed to ensure that only eligible individuals can obtain this visa.
It begins with thorough research and understanding of the eligibility criteria, which includes having a minimum level of English proficiency, holding relevant skills or qualifications in a specific occupation listed on the skilled occupation list, and meeting health and character requirements.
Once these prerequisites are fulfilled, applicants need to submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect—an online platform used by the Australian government to manage immigration applications.
A candidate may file an official visa application if they are selected from the SkillSelect pool invitation rounds based on their points score (calculated by factors including age, job experience, and education).
This requires extensive documentation to back up claims made in the Expression of Interest regarding work experience, educational background, language proficiency scores (such as IELTS), police clearances from every country resided in during the relevant timeframes, as well as medical examinations carried out by approved panel doctors.
The Department then carefully evaluates these supporting documentation before deciding whether to approve or deny the 191 Visa application.
Processing Time - 191 Visas
Individual processing times for 191 visas vary because they are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. To expedite the process, you must include all applicable papers in your application and promptly answer to any requests for more information.
Additionally, the speed at which the necessary checks are conducted and external agencies respond also influences the overall processing time of this visa. Thus, ensuring that you provide comprehensive documentation and remain responsive will greatly contribute to minimizing delays throughout the application process.
Visa Application Charge Fees for Subclass 191 Visa
The visa application charge for the Skilled Regional (Subclass 191) visa, also known as the 191 Visa fees, is subject to an annual increase.
For the main applicant, there is a base application charge of $385. Additionally, for each secondary applicant who is above 18 years old, there is an additional fee of $195.
As for secondary applicants who are under the age of 18, the fee stands at $100 per individual.
These charges ensure that individuals and families seeking to migrate through this skilled regional visa category contribute towards processing costs and government services while applying for their Australian residency.
191 Visa Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria for the 191 Visa include several key factors that applicants must meet.
- Firstly, individuals must already hold a skilled regional visa such as type 491, 494, or 485 (for Hong Kong passport holders).
- Then, it is essential to provide at least three notices of assessment from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), demonstrating financial compliance.
- Also, applicants must have adhered to all conditions outlined in their current visa. Moreover, there will be a ranking system determining priority.
- Those at the forefront are individuals without spouses or with partners who possess in-demand careers.
- Following them are applicants whose partners exhibit fluency in English language skills.
- Lastly, candidates with spouses lacking competent English proficiency or working in non-skilled occupations fall into the third category of prioritization for the visa application process.
Can you include family on a 191 visa?
The 191 visa enables those who apply and their families to reside and work permanently in Australia. There are particular requirements that must be satisfied in order to include members of your family on this visa.
This covers your spouse or cohabitant, your dependent children who aren’t married and are under the age of 18, and finally, your dependent children who aren’t married and are between the ages of 18 and 23 and who are full-time students and who are financially reliant on you.
If both of your parents meet specific requirements and depend heavily on your financial assistance, they might also be qualified.
The relationship with these family members as well as if essential, any dependent status, must be proven.
For the most recent regulations regarding the inclusion of family members in a 191 visa request, it is advised to check the official Australian Government website or a licensed immigration agent due to the fact that immigration policies might change over time.