How the pathway is structured
Subclass 491 is a provisional visa requiring the holder to live, work and study in a designated regional area. Subclass 191 is the permanent visa available to eligible provisional regional visa holders who have met the residence and income requirements attached to that pathway.
The requirements to keep in view
Meeting the conditions is an ongoing obligation across the provisional period, not a single test at the end.
- Holding the provisional visa for the required period
- Living, working and studying only in a designated regional area
- Meeting the minimum taxable income requirement for the required number of years
- Complying with all conditions attached to the provisional visa
Record-keeping matters
Evidence is assembled over years: notices of assessment, employment records, tenancy or ownership documents and address history. Keeping these organised from the start makes the permanent stage substantially simpler.
Verify current criteria
Designated regional areas, income thresholds and eligibility requirements are set by the Department of Home Affairs and can change. Confirm current requirements with the Department, or speak with us about your circumstances.
This article is general information about publicly announced policy, not personal migration advice. Requirements change — confirm current criteria with the Department of Home Affairs or IRCC, or speak with us about your specific profile.
