Capire i tempi di elaborazione del visto per la residenza permanente australiana (Skilled Regional) (sottoclasse 191)

The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (subclass 191) visa is a permanent residency visa that allows eligible holders to live and work in Australia without time limitations. It may also provide a pathway to Australian citizenship, subject to meeting further requirements.

However, this visa has strict eligibility criteria and some important considerations. The information below outlines the 191 visa’s criteria and typical processing times.

What Is the 191 Visa for Permanent Residency?

The 191 visa allows individuals to live and work in Australia indefinitely. It is a permanent residence visa for eligible regional skilled workers. It may allow the holder to apply for Australian citizenship in the future, provided the applicant meets other requirements. The visa also allows the primary applicant to include eligible family members in the visa application.

191 visa holders are permanent residents and therefore have automatic access to Medicare and Australia’s public healthcare system. As of 2025, the 191 visa application fee is AUD505.00 (subject to change). Eligibility requirements include:

• Holding an eligible provisional visa
• Meeting health and character requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs
• Signing the Australian values statement
• Having no outstanding debts to the Australian Government, or having arrangements to repay any such debts
• Having no prior visas cancelled or refused

Typical Processing Time for 191 Visa Permanent Residency

Processing times for the 191 visa are assessed individually and may vary depending on personal circumstances. The Department of Home Affairs provides an indicative visa processing time guide on its website.

Average Timeframe

As of 2025, published processing times indicate that 50% of applications are finalised within nine months, and 90% within twelve months. However, processing times vary depending on individual circumstances and departmental workload. The Department of Home Affairs provides indicative timeframes for subclass 191 applications through its online visa processing time tool, which should be checked for the most current information.

Please note that this is just an average estimate, and the actual duration may vary depending on your individual circumstances and any recent updates introduced by the Department of Home Affairs.

Factors That Affect Processing Time

Several factors affect the processing time for the 191 visa:

• The accuracy and completeness of the application
• Whether all essential documents requested by the department have been submitted
• How promptly requests from the Department of Home Affairs are addressed
• The number of places available in the migration program
• Any delays in police clearance certificates and health and character certificates
• Past compliance with 494 visa and 491 visa conditions

Common Delays and How to Avoid Them

There are several reasons an applicant may face delays in their 191 skilled visa application processing time. Fortunately, there are ways to overcome these delays. In the section below, we will look at them.

Missing or Incomplete Documents

A common cause of delay is submitting incomplete documentation. Applicants are generally required to provide:

1. Work and Residency Documents: Your work documents will include payslips, reference letters, or any other document that serves as proof of employment.
2. Income evidence: Applicants must provide ATO notices of assessment for the required income years within their eligible visa period.
3. Identification Documents: You may also be required to submit your personal details, copies of a valid passport and insurance, and your national ID card.
4. Character Requirements: You must provide valid police certificates and undergo required character checks.
5. Partner/Spouse Documents: If you are applying for the visa with your partner, you must also produce documents that establish your relationship with your de facto partner.
6. Other Dependant Document: If you have eligible family members, you must provide their identity proof, proof of their relationship with you, and other certificates mentioned by the DHA.

These are some of the documents that you must attach to your visa application. Additional documents may be requested based on individual circumstances, as specified in ImmiAccount. It is important to ensure all requested documents are provided at the time of application to mitigate potential delays.

Complex Eligibility Cases

If you have a complex case, your 191 visa application process may get delayed. For instance, the immigration history of the applicant is taken into consideration when the DHA makes a decision on a visa application. This means that you may not be eligible for the 191 permanent visa if a visa has been refused or cancelled in the past.

Certain complex eligibility issues, including past visa refusals or cancellations, may impact both eligibility and processing times. Applicants should seek professional advice in these circumstances.

High Volume of Applications

Another reason for visa application delays is the high volume of applications. The number of places available in the migration program and the 191 visa applications also impact the overall time required for visa processing. So, although the average time required for the 191 visa application is 12 months, there may be some unexpected delays.

How to Reduce Delays

To help avoid delays, applicants should:

1. Ensure all evidence of income is clear and that official ATO notices are attached for the relevant income years.
2. The next thing is to ensure that you comply with the health and character requirements and provide all the essential documents requested by the DHA.
3. You must have held a subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least three years, complied with its conditions, and be able to provide ATO notices of assessment for the required income years within your eligible visa period.
4. The last, but most important, thing to ensure is that you have completed your visa application correctly by submitting all the documents requested by the DHA.

[consulenza gratuita]

Prenota una consulenza‍

Se siete interessati a ottenere maggiori informazioni su un visto, contattate gli avvocati australiani specializzati in migrazione per una consulenza.

[/free_consultation]

How to Track Your 191 Visa Application

Keeping a track of your 191 visa application process is essential for ensuring that you respond to all requests made by the DHA immediately. Here is how you can track your application:

Using ImmiAccount for Updates

Upon lodgement, the Department of Home Affairs will issue an acknowledgement of receipt, confirming successful submission of your application. To check for any updates about your visa application, you must log in to your ImmiAccount and view the status on the "my application tab.

Understanding Processing Status Messages

Your application summary shows the status of your visa application's progress. You must understand what each status means to track your visa efficiently:

• Incomplete: This status indicates that you have started the visa application but have not yet completed all necessary fields. It is important to ensure that every required section is filled out accurately before proceeding.
• Ready to Submit: This status indicates that you have completed all the sections of the application form but have not yet submitted it to the Department of Home Affairs.
• Submitted: This status means that you have successfully submitted your application to DHA. The application is now in the queue for assessment, but the DHA has not yet begun the detailed assessment.
• Received: This indicates that the DHA has received your application and will review it.
• Initial Assessment: This means the DHA is assessing your application.
• Further Assessment: This means the DHA is conducting a more detailed review of the requested information.
• Finalised: This means the DHA has made a decision.
• Discontinued: Discontinued’ may appear where a withdrawn or obsolete form is no longer in use.

When to Contact Migration Authorities

You must continuously monitor your online application status to track the progress of your visa. If the processing time significantly exceeds published averages, applicants may contact the Department of Home Affairs for clarification regarding the status of their application.

Planning Around Processing Time

The average processing time of the 191 visa applications is around 12 months. During this span of time, you must consider the following things:

Relocation and Employment

The 191 visa is a permanent residence visa, meaning that holders can reside in Australia indefinitely. Applicants may wish to make preliminary preparations for relocation and employment in Australia while awaiting a visa decision, provided the visa is granted.

Staying Compliant While Waiting

While waiting for your visa, you must also ensure that you comply with all the rules established by the Australian Government. This includes complying with the conditions of the regional provisional visa or any other bridging visa you are on during the waiting period.

[aml_difference][/aml_difference]

Expert Tips for a Smooth 191 Visa Process

The following points may assist applicants to navigate the 191 visa application process more effectively:

1. Confirming Eligibility: Before you apply for the visa, it is essential to check and verify your eligibility. The basic eligibility criteria require that you have held a Subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least three years.
2. Income Requirements: The DHA does not have any minimum income requirements for the 191 visa. However, you must provide three years of notice of assessment by the ATO when applying for the visa.
3. Essential Documents: In addition to the above, you must ensure that you have all the documents requested by the DHA.
4. Completion of the Visa Application: When you decide to apply for a visa through your ImmiAccount, you must ensure that you complete the application process and submit all the requested documents.
5. Check Status: You must regularly check your visa application status on your ImmiAccount to track the progress of your application. If the DHA requests any additional information, you must respond promptly to overcome all possible delays.

By following all these tips, you can ensure a smooth visa application process.

Come gli avvocati specializzati in migrazione possono aiutare

Australian migration laws are complex and, at times, can be confusing. Moreover, the pathway to the 191 visa and enjoying permanent resident status in Australia is overwhelming for most applicants. On top of that, applications are processed on a case-by-case basis, and complex visa cases may require additional steps and documentation. Hence, seeking professional help becomes a must.

By consulting a migration lawyer in Australia, applicants can ensure that they comply with all aspects of the immigration process. They provide the applicant with the right legal advice that is tailored to their specific needs and situation. Moreover, working with a team of professionals also safeguards them from making costly mistakes and reduces the stress associated with the visa application process.

If you are confused about the 191 visa processing time in Australia, our team of professionals at Australian Migration Lawyers is here to help.

Domande frequenti (FAQ)

How Long Does It Usually Take to Get a 191 Visa?

It usually takes around 12 months to get a 191 visa. However, the actual time duration will vary depending on the individual circumstance. Hence, it is best to use the visa processing time guide tool for a clear indication.

Can the Processing Time Be Faster If I Submit All Documents Correctly?

Yes, if you complete your visa application and submit all the required documents correctly, you may be able to reduce the average processing time for the 191 visa.

What Are the Main Reasons for Delays in 191 Visa Processing?

Your 191 visa application may be delayed for several reasons. Some of the most common reasons are incomplete applications, unclear documents, waiting for external agencies for health and character assessments, and high application volumes.

Can I Work in Australia While Waiting for My 191 Visa?

Yes, you can work in Australia while waiting for your 191 visa, given that you have a substantive visa that allows you to work.

How Can I Check the Status of My 191 Visa Application?

To check the status of your 191 visa application, you must log in to your ImmiAccount. Upon logging in, you will find the "User Application Summary," where your current status will be displayed.

Is It Advisable to Hire a Migration Lawyer for the 191 Visa Process?

Yes, hiring a migration lawyer will help you comply with the legal requirements of the 191 visa. They also ensure that your visa application is lodged correctly and prevent you from making costly mistakes.