Written by Navpreet Aulakh, Registered Migration Agent MARN 2619467
Checked against Department of Home Affairs guidance on 5 October 2026
The 191 visa processing time is not a fixed number. Home Affairs does not publish a set timeframe for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191). Instead, it publishes a processing time guide based on recently decided applications, and the dates up to which it is currently working through 191 applications. As at 5 October 2026, Home Affairs says it is processing 191 applications lodged in or before February 2026 where the main applicant was in Australia at lodgement.
This guide explains what those dates mean, the 191 visa requirements, and the mistakes that slow down a grant after your 491 or 494.
What is the 191 visa?
The 191 is the permanent residence step for people who have lived and worked in a designated regional area of Australia on a provisional regional visa. Home Affairs lists it under the Regional Provisional stream. If granted, you can stay in Australia permanently, work and study anywhere in Australia, enrol in Medicare, sponsor eligible relatives and, if eligible, apply for Australian citizenship later.
The 191 is not points-tested and there is no new nomination or sponsorship step. You qualify through the time you have spent on your provisional visa and your compliance with its conditions.
What is the current 191 visa processing time?
Home Affairs gives two pieces of information, and neither is a promise about your file.
1. The processing time guide. The visa processing time guide tool lets you select the 191, the Regional Provisional stream and your application date. Home Affairs says it shows processing times for recently decided applications and is "a guide only and not specific to your application". Home Affairs does not publish a fixed figure for how long a 191 will take.
2. The dates it is currently processing. On the 191 visa page, Home Affairs lists the lodgement dates it is working on. When we checked on 5 October 2026, these were:
| Applicant group (Ministerial Direction 122) | Currently processing applications lodged in or before |
|---|---|
| Main applicant was in Australia when they lodged | February 2026 |
| Main applicant was outside Australia when they lodged, and the application is not combined with another person's application at any time | March 2026 |
| All other applicants who were outside Australia when they applied | January 2026 |
These dates move as Home Affairs works through its caseload, so check the page again before you rely on them. They tell you where the queue is up to, not when your own visa will be decided.
How does Ministerial Direction 122 affect 191 processing?
Home Affairs processes certain provisional and permanent skilled visas in a set order of priority under Ministerial Direction 122. Home Affairs states that Directions 121 and 122 came into effect on 19 September 2026 and replaced the earlier priorities under Direction 119. The 191 is one of the visas covered.
Under Direction 122, the order of priority is:
- Applications relating to the construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources sectors, or Australia's law enforcement and defence interests.
- Applications where the applicant was in Australia when they lodged.
- Applications where the main applicant was outside Australia when they lodged and the application is not combined with another person's application at any time.
- All other applications.
You can read the full list of covered visas on the Home Affairs skilled visa processing priorities page. Priority order affects when your application is picked up. It does not change the requirements you need to meet.
What can slow down a 191 visa grant?
Home Affairs assesses each application on a case-by-case basis. It lists these factors as affecting how long a decision takes:
- whether you lodged a complete application with all supporting documents
- how quickly you respond to requests for more information
- how long it takes to check the information you provided
- how long it takes to receive information from external agencies, particularly for health, character and national security checks
- how many places are available in the migration program.
Home Affairs also says that if you or a family member owe money to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), you should provide evidence you have paid it back or have an approved payment plan in place to prevent processing delays. Home Affairs does not give status updates on applications under assessment, so check your ImmiAccount for any request for more information.
What are the 191 visa requirements?
These are the main 191 visa requirements as set out by Home Affairs. A complete, decision-ready application against each one is the best way to avoid delays.
Do you hold an eligible visa for at least 3 years?
You must hold an eligible visa when you apply, and you must have held it for at least 3 years before you apply. An eligible visa is a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) or a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494).
Is there a minimum income for the 191?
Home Affairs states there is no minimum income requirement. You must provide notices of assessment issued by the ATO for three income years out of the five years of your eligible visa.
Have you complied with your visa conditions?
You must have complied with the conditions of your eligible visa while in Australia, for the whole period you have held it. Home Affairs asks for proof that, as the holder of your eligible visa, you lived, worked and studied in a designated area. It gives examples such as leases or rental agreements, utility bills showing your address, payslips, reference letters, school reports and academic transcripts. You can check which locations count on our designated regional areas page or the Home Affairs designated regional areas page. Home Affairs says most locations outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are classed as designated regional areas.
Health, character and other requirements
- Health: you and family members applying with you must meet the health requirement. If a health issue is raised, read about the health waiver and when it applies.
- Character: you and family members aged 16 or over must meet the character requirement. Home Affairs asks for an Australian Federal Police complete disclosure National Police Certificate if you have spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since you turned 16, plus overseas police certificates on the same basis. Home Affairs treats Australian police certificates as valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
- Australian values statement: applicants aged 16 or over must sign it.
- Debts: any debt to the Australian Government must be paid back or under an arrangement to pay.
- Immigration history: a previous visa cancellation or refusal may affect your eligibility.
How much does the 191 visa cost?
| Item | What Home Affairs says |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | From AUD630.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances) |
| Family members | A separate charge for each family member who applies with you |
| Other costs | Health checks, police certificates and biometrics may cost extra |
| Refused application | The application charge is not refunded |
Home Affairs suggests using its Visa Pricing Estimator to work out your total. From 1 July 2026, a lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens.
Can you apply from inside or outside Australia?
You can be in or outside Australia when you apply and when Home Affairs decides your application, but you cannot be in immigration clearance. If you apply in Australia, you may be granted a bridging visa that comes into effect if your current visa expires before a decision. Our guide to bridging visas explains how that works. Home Affairs warns not to ask for your current visa to be cancelled, because your bridging visa would cease.
Can you include family members?
Yes. You can include members of your family unit when you lodge, or add them after lodgement but before a decision. Generally, family members included in your application do not need to hold an eligible visa. The exception is a family member who no longer meets the standard definition of member of the family unit, for example a child who has turned 23 since getting the eligible visa. They must hold an eligible visa granted on the basis that they were a member of your family unit.
What is the 491 visa processing time in 2026?
Many people searching for the 191 are still on the first step. The 491 visa processing time in 2026 works the same way: Home Affairs does not publish a fixed figure and points to its processing time guide. On 5 October 2026, the 491 visa page listed applications lodged in or before March 2025 for priority sectors and for applicants in Australia, and February 2025 for applicants outside Australia. Home Affairs also notes that while it transitions to Direction 122, published dates and timeframes may fluctuate.
The 491 is a 5-year provisional visa, and Home Affairs says you can apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time the 491 is granted. If you are still choosing a pathway, our comparison of 189 vs 190 vs 491 and our state nomination page are good starting points.
What happens after your 191 is granted?
The 191 is a permanent visa, so you can stay in Australia indefinitely. Its travel facility lasts 5 years from the grant date. After that, you will need a Resident Return visa (subclass 155 or 157) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident. For citizenship purposes, Home Affairs says your permanent residence starts on the day the visa is granted if you are in Australia. You can read more on our Australian citizenship page.
Common mistakes that delay a 191 application
- Applying before you have held your 491 or 494 for 3 years. Count from the grant date of the eligible visa, not your arrival date.
- Missing ATO notices of assessment. You need three income years out of the five years of your eligible visa. Lodge your tax returns on time so the notices exist when you apply.
- Weak regional evidence. Gaps in leases, bills or payslips can raise questions about whether you lived and worked in a designated area.
- Unpaid ATO debt. Pay it or set up an approved payment plan before you lodge.
- Expired police certificates. Australian certificates are treated as valid for 12 months, so time them carefully.
Quick answers: 191 visa processing time
How long does the 191 visa take?
Home Affairs does not publish a fixed figure. Use its processing time guide for an indication, and check the lodgement dates it is currently processing on the 191 visa page.
Can I speed up my 191 application?
There is no paid fast-track. Lodging a complete application, responding quickly to requests and clearing any ATO debt are the steps Home Affairs itself lists as affecting timing.
Do I need a minimum income for the 191?
No. Home Affairs states there is no minimum income requirement, but you must provide ATO notices of assessment for three income years out of the five years of your eligible visa.
Do I need a new skills assessment or points test?
No. The 191 eligibility criteria published by Home Affairs do not include a skills assessment, points test or invitation.
Get your 191 application right the first time
Most delays come from incomplete applications, not the queue itself. If you are approaching 3 years on your 491 or 494, or you are not sure your evidence covers the whole period, book your consultation with our team. We can review your regional, income and compliance evidence before you lodge. You can also read more about the wider skilled migration options available.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not migration advice for your circumstances. Visa rules, fees and processing dates change. Book a consultation with a registered migration agent before making decisions about your visa.