Top 8 Australian PR Visas Every Applicant Should Know

The PR visas of Australia are a gateway to permanent residency, career development, and the opportunity to call Australia home.  The acquisition of a PR residency Australia is a milestone for the lives of many talented workers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. 

However, with multiple pathways available, choosing the right Australia permanent residency visa can feel overwhelming.

Let us discuss the top eight Australian PR visas every applicant should understand, covering definitions and key eligibility requirements. This overview will help you make informed decisions.

1. Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (Subclass 187) – Sponsorship Needed

Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (RSMS) Subclass 187 is made to benefit the skilled workers who were nominated by employers in the regional part of Australia. It enables qualified candidates to acquire an Australian permanent visa on the basis of being sponsored by employers in the region.

Although this visa Direct entry stream is now closed to new applications, there is still the Temporary Residence Transition stream available for eligible applicants who previously held specific temporary visas. Here are 

• Cost: AUD4,910.00
• Processing Time: 84 Days – 8 Months

Eligibility

To qualify under transitional arrangements, applicants generally must:

• Be nominated by a regional employer that has been approved
• Be less than 45 years old and meet the requirements for skills, qualifications, and English language

This avenue was focused on employer sponsorship and sustained regional jobs.

Also Read: 190 Visa Refused: Common Reasons & What to Do Next

2. Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191)

The Subclass 191 visa gives the holder of some regional provisional visas an opportunity to change to permanent residence. It is a key pathway to PR residency Australia for migrants who have lived and worked in designated regional areas.

• Cost: AUD505.00
• Processing Time: 7 Months – 16 Months

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Have a valid visa for at least three years
• Give notices of assessment from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for three of the five years that your visa is valid. There is no minimum income that an applicant needs to have
• Have followed the rules of the visa they are eligible for, or have held

Subclass 191 rewards commitment to regional development and is a structured route toward an Australia permanent residency visa.

3. Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887)

Subclass 887 visa is another permanent visa available for people who used to hold specific regional provisional visas. It enables the applicants to obtain permanent residence status upon fulfilling the regional residence and employment requirements.

• Cost: AUD505.00
• Processing Time: 10 Months – 20 Months

Eligibility

To apply, you typically must:

• Have a valid visa or have had a valid visa that expired outside of Australia during the concession period
• If COVID-19 concessions do not apply, you must have lived in a certain regional area for at least 2 years and worked full-time for at least 1 year
• Have followed the rules of the visa you currently hold or have held in the past

This visa acknowledges long-term regional contribution and results in permanent resident status.

4. Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186) – Sponsorship Needed

The subclass 186 visa AU, allows skilled employees who are nominated by Australian employers to gain permanent residence. This is one of the most popular Australian PR visas for professionals with strong employer support.

• Cost: AUD4,910.00
• Processing Time: 

1. Direct Entry– 17 Months – 20 Months
2. Labour Agreement– 33 Days – 9 Months
3. Temporary Residence– 13 Months – 19 Months

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Must have the right skills for the job
• An Australian employer must nominate you
• Meet the health and character standards

There are three streams under the 186 visa Australia category. These are as follows:

• Direct Entry Stream– This visa allows skilled individuals to live and work permanently in Australia if they are nominated by their employer.
• Labour Agreement Stream– Employer-nominated skilled individuals are permitted to reside and work permanently in Australia with this visa. If you presently or plan to work for an employer who is a party to a labour agreement, you may be eligible for the Labour Agreement stream.
• Temporary Residence Transition Stream– Skilled workers who are nominated by their existing employer are permitted to reside and work in Australia permanently with this visa.

Must Read: What Is the Subsequent Entrant Visa 482? Processing Time & Details (2026)

5. Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)  

The AUS 189 visa is for invited workers, eligible New Zealand citizens, and eligible Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders with the required skills to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia. It provides direct access to an Australian PR visa based solely on merit and skill assessment.

• Cost: AUD4,910.00
• Processing Time: 3 Months – 12 Months

Eligibility

To qualify, applicants must:

• Have to be invited to apply, and have to be younger than 45 years of age
• There are some requirements that need to be met for obtaining a visa
• There are residency criteria that an applicant must fulfil
• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​You must have a Hong Kong passport or a British National (Overseas) passport

The AUS 189 visa offers flexibility and independence, making it one of the most popular Australian PR visas.

The two streams available under this visa category are:

• Points Tested Stream– With the help of this visa, invited workers with the necessary abilities can live and work across Australia permanently.
• Hong Kong Stream– This visa enables qualifying Hong Kong or British national (overseas) passport holders who have shown a commitment to Australia to live and work there permanently.

Note: On July 1, 2023, new applications for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) (New Zealand stream) visa were permanently closed.

6. Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) – Nomination Needed

The 190 visa Australia is a nominated visa for skilled workers whose occupations are in demand in specific regions. It grants permanent residency with the expectation of residing in the nominating state.

• Cost: AUD4,910.00
• Processing Time: 15 Months – 25 Months

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Possess a profession listed on the appropriate skilled list
• Have an appropriate skills assessment for the occupation
• Be invited to submit an application for this visa
• Complete the points test

Must Read: Best Australian States for Subclass 190 & 491 Visa Applicants

7. Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 888) – Nomination Needed

The Subclass 888 visa is the permanent stage of the Business Innovation and Investment program. It is designed for entrepreneurs and investors who have successfully operated a business or made qualifying investments in Australia.

• Cost: AUD3,500.00
• Processing Time: 

1. Business Innovation– 4 Months – 6 Months
2. Investor– 3 Months – 5 Months
3. Significant Investor– 3 Months – 6 Months

Eligibility

Applicants generally must:

• You must apply online
• Possess a valid temporary business visa (Subclass 188)
• Show continuous investment or commercial activities

It is ideal for business-minded applicants aiming for an Australia permanent residency visa through commercial success. The subclass 888 includes 5 streams:

• Business Innovation Stream– This visa allows holders of a subclass 444 (Special Category) visa, a subclass 457 (Business (Long Stay) visa, or a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) in the Business Innovation or Business Innovation Extension stream to remain in Australia permanently.
• Investor Stream– You can carry on making investments in Australia indefinitely with this visa.
• Significant Investor Stream– With this visa, you can stay in Australia permanently and carry on with your investment operations.
• Premium Investor Stream– You are able to carry on investing in Australia for an indefinite period with this visa.
• Entrepreneur Stream– This visa permits permanent residency for holders of the Entrepreneur stream’s Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) and those who have held one in certain situations.

8. National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858) – Invitation Needed to Apply

This permanent visa is ideal for those who have shown extraordinary and outstanding accomplishments in an appropriate field. Before submitting an application, candidates must get an invitation.

• Cost: AUD4,985.00
• Processing Time: 4 Months – 7 Months

Eligibility

To qualify, you must:

• Receive an invitation to apply for this visa. You must submit your application within 60 days after receiving it. The National Innovation visa contains information about the Expression of Interest.
• You can apply for this visa whether you are inside or outside Australia. However, you must not be in immigration clearance at the time of application or when the visa is granted.

Note: As of December 6, 2024, new applications for the Global Talent visa are no longer being accepted. The Global Talent visa has been replaced by the National Innovation visa. In line with processing priorities and yearly migration planning levels, the processing applications will continue for on-hand Global Talent visas.

Also Read: 190 vs 491 Visa Australia – Choose the Perfect Option for Your PR Journey 

Conclusion

Australian PR visa navigation is a complicated process that requires proper planning, accurate documentation, and the making of strategic decisions. If you are unsure which visa best suits your profile, consulting an experienced Migration agent in Adelaide can assist you in giving proper advice. Your journey toward an Australian permanent residency visa can become a structured and achievable goal with the right support and preparation.