- Subclass 887 Visa (Skilled Regional Visa)
- Subclass 191 Visa (Permanent Residence – Skilled Regional Visa)
- Subclass 190 Visa (Skilled Nominated Visa)
- Subclass 189 Visa (Skilled Independent Visa)
- Subclass 155/157 (Resident Return Visa – RRV) – Keep or Regain Your Permanent Residency
- Subclass 858 Visa (National Innovation Visa)
Frequently asked questions
What is an Australian permanent resident visa?
A permanent resident visa lets you live, work and study in Australia indefinitely. Permanent residents can access Medicare, sponsor eligible family members, and apply for Australian citizenship once residence and other requirements are met. The visa itself contains a travel facility, usually five years, after which a resident return visa is needed to re-enter.
What are the main pathways to permanent residence in Australia?
The common routes are employer sponsorship through the subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme, the points-tested skilled visas subclass 189 and 190, regional pathways through subclass 191 and 887, partner and family visas, and business and investment visas. Which one is realistic depends on your occupation, age, English and employer support.
Does an employer-sponsored visa lead to permanent residence?
It can. The subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme is itself a permanent visa, and time worked on a Skills in Demand subclass 482 visa can count toward the Temporary Residence Transition stream of subclass 186. Subclass 494 holders may be eligible to apply for subclass 191 after meeting the regional residence and income requirements.
How much does a permanent residence visa cost?
Charges differ by subclass and are set by the Department of Home Affairs, with additional charges for each family member included in the application. The Department’s Visa Pricing Estimator gives the current figure for your subclass and family composition. Check it immediately before lodging, because charges are indexed and change.
Do I lose permanent residence if I leave Australia?
Permanent residence does not expire, but the travel facility on the visa does. If you are outside Australia when the travel facility ends, you need a resident return visa, subclass 155 or 157, to re-enter. Eligibility for a resident return visa depends on your residence in Australia and your ties to the country.
Can my family be included in a permanent residence application?
Usually yes. A spouse or de facto partner and dependent children can generally be included as secondary applicants, provided the relationship and dependency are properly evidenced and each person meets health and character requirements. Including family members increases the application charge and the evidence you need to prepare.
Related pages: Subclass 186 ENS · Employer sponsored visas · Partner visas · Types of visas
This information is general in nature and was checked against Department of Home Affairs sources on 15 September 2026. It is not personal migration advice. Charges, thresholds and requirements change. Complex circumstances need advice from a registered migration agent about your own situation.