As the 191 Skilled Regional Visa builds on a provisional visa, it does not require employer sponsorship, providing a simple and cost-effective pathway to Permanent Residence.
Clear Permanent Residence pathways for employees help businesses boost retention and engagement, plan more easily for business continuity, and build regional workforce capacity.
191 Visa Requirements
The 191 Visa is designed to address persistent skill shortages in designated regional areas.
Most locations of Australia outside the major cities (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) are considered regional areas for visa and immigration purposes.
The 191 Visa applicant must:
- Have held a Subclass 491 or 494 Regional Provisional Visa
- Meet income thresholds for at least three years
- Have complied with visa conditions during the provisional period
- Meet health and character requirements
Once granted, Subclass 191 Visa holders can live and work anywhere in Australia.
The 191 Skilled Work Regional Visa provides:
- A pathway to Australian Citizenship after meeting residency requirements
- Employees limited pathways to reunite with family members in Australia
Permanent Residence Planning
Regional businesses face distinct challenges in attracting and retaining skilled workers due to geographic isolation, limited local talent pools, and industry-specific demands.
Permanent Residence planning is a strategic approach for regional businesses seeking to build a stable and committed workforce.
Understanding 191 Visa requirements and how it works alongside sponsorship for a Subclass 494 Visa can assist regional businesses to transition employees to Permanent Residence.
STEP 1
Assess and Strategise:
Permanent Residence Eligibility
Interstaff provides dedicated migration advice to help businesses and employees understand suitable Permanent Residence pathways and plan for eligibility.
We support you by:
- Discussing your ongoing and future workforce needs
- Assessing eligibility for Permanent Residence pathways for existing employees
- Advising a migration strategy for Permanent Residence eligibility, providing guidance on managing compliance with matters such as visa conditions and income thresholds during the provisional period
- Providing guidance on sponsorship obligations
STEP 2
Apply and Comply:
191 Skilled Regional Visa Application
We manage the Permanent Residence application process on your employee’s behalf and provide support by:
- Advising on key application requirements such as proof of residence and employment in regional areas
- Managing the visa application and lodgement, including complex cases
- Keeping you and your employees informed at every stage of the process
STEP 3
Retain and Grow:
Permanent Residence Policies
Based on whether a business has ongoing skilled migration needs, we help integrate Permanent Residence policies into broader workforce strategies. This helps businesses boost stability, retain global talent, and support long-term growth.
Our support includes:
- Compliance advice during business or employment changes
- PR pathway mapping for temporary visa holders
- Advice on building Permanent Residence policies into your employee retention strategy
- Advice on establishing audit-ready systems for immigration inspections
- Post-visa support for employees and their families – such as Citizenship
- Ongoing training on immigration policy impacts
What 191 Regional Skilled Visa Applicants Should Know
Beyond living and working in a regional area for at least three years, it is essential to understand if you meet other eligibility criteria for a 191 Skilled Work Regional Visa.
Interstaff provide eligibility assessments to both individuals and employers. We also advise on Australian citizenship once Permanent Residence has been established.
Experience and Insights
191 Visa
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Permanent Residence Planning
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Subclass 191 Visa FAQs
No – many businesses support transitions to Permanent Residence on a case-by-case basis. The business must have a genuine ongoing need for the position. The benefit of making Permanent Residence policies available to employees is that it ensures the possibilities are clear and upfront.