If you hold a Regional Skilled Visa (Subclass 491) or Skilled Regional (Subclass 191), there are specific guidelines regarding movement within Australia due to the visa's regional residence requirements.
1. Subclass 491 Visa (Provisional Regional Visa)
- Regional Living Requirement: The Subclass 491 is a provisional visa that requires holders to live, work, and study in a designated regional area for at least three years. To qualify for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)) visa, you must fulfill this regional living requirement.
- Restricted to Regional Areas Nationwide: While you are limited to regional areas, you can generally move between designated regional locations across different states or territories. For example, if you initially live in Adelaide, you could move to another regional area like the Gold Coast or Geelong, as long as they meet the regional criteria.
- No Major City Residency: Living in metropolitan cities like Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane is not allowed during the provisional period, as these cities are excluded from regional classifications.
2. Subclass 191 Visa (Permanent Regional PR)
- Permanent Regional Requirement Fulfilled: Once you transition to the Subclass 191 visa (which provides permanent residency), there are no longer any regional restrictions, and you can freely move anywhere within Australia, including major cities.
- Eligibility for PR Pathway: To apply for the Subclass 191, you need to meet the Subclass 491's regional residence requirements and satisfy the minimum income threshold for three years.
3. Commitment to the State or Territory Nomination (Subclass 491)
- State-Specific Conditions: Although the visa allows movement within regional areas across states, your initial state or territory may request a commitment to living and working within that state's regional areas. This is generally based on your nomination agreement rather than a legal visa requirement.
- Advisable to Honor the Commitment: While this commitment is not legally binding, honoring it can positively impact future applications, and it shows good faith to the nominating region. If you need to move to another state's regional area, it's recommended to inform the original nominating state.
With a Subclass 491 visa, you can live in any designated regional area across Australia, provided you avoid major cities until qualifying for the Subclass 191. Once you secure the Subclass 191 permanent residency, you are free to live and work anywhere in Australia without restriction.
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