Subclass 491 to 191 - The Pathway from Regional to Permanent Residency

The subclass 491 visa is a provisional visa, not permanent residency. But it has a clear pathway to PR through the subclass 191 visa. Here is how it works.

The 491 to 191 pathway

The pathway is straightforward in principle:

1. Get the 491 visa - Through state nomination or family sponsorship for a designated regional area
2. Live and work in regional Australia for 3 years - Continuously, while holding the 491 visa
3. Meet the income requirement - Earn at least the taxable income threshold (currently around $53,900/year)
4. Apply for the 191 visa - This grants permanent residency

The income requirement

This is the most important condition. You must demonstrate a minimum taxable income for at least 3 years while on the 491. The threshold is indexed annually - check the DHA website for the current amount.

The income can come from any lawful employment - it does not have to be in your nominated occupation.

What counts as regional

“Regional Australia” for the 491 includes everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane metropolitan areas. This means cities like:

• Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns
• Newcastle, Wollongong, Central Coast
• Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo
• Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Darwin

Yes, Perth and Adelaide are classified as regional for immigration purposes. See the best regional areas for more options.

Timeline

• 491 visa grant -> live and work regionally for 3 years -> apply for 191 -> PR grant within a few months
• Total: approximately 3.5-4 years from 491 grant to permanent residency

Compare this with the 189 vs 190 vs 491 pathways to decide which is right for you.