VisaChief 186 vs 494 vs 191: which Australian visa is right for you?
The three main employer-sponsored and regional permanent-residence outcomes compared.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (186) | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (494) | Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (191) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Permanent / PR | Provisional (5 yrs) | Permanent / PR |
| Who it's for | Skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer for a permanent role. | Skilled workers sponsored by a regional employer, with a pathway to PR. | Holders of a 491 or 494 regional provisional visa who have met the 3-year residence and income requirements. |
| Government cost | ~$6,140 (main applicant) | ~$6,140 (main applicant) | ~$6,135 (main applicant) |
| Processing time | ~5-12 months | ~8-14 months | ~6-12 months |
| Length of stay | Permanent | 5 years (provisional) | Permanent |
| Where to apply | Onshore or offshore | Onshore or offshore | Onshore or offshore |
| Work rights | Unlimited - full PR work rights | Full-time for your sponsoring regional employer | Unlimited - full PR work rights |
| Pathway to PR | This visa IS permanent residence. | Pathway to PR via subclass 191 after 3 years on the visa meeting the income requirement. | This is the permanent residence step for the newer regional visas (491/494). |
Which is right for you?
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (186)
Skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer for a permanent role.
Full 186 guide →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (494)
Skilled workers sponsored by a regional employer, with a pathway to PR.
Full 494 guide →Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (191)
Holders of a 491 or 494 regional provisional visa who have met the 3-year residence and income requirements.
Full 191 guide →Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, 186 or 494 or 191?
On indicative 2026-27 government costs, Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (191) is the lowest at ~$6,135 (main applicant). Government fees change periodically - confirm before applying.
Which is processed faster, 186 or 494 or 191?
Indicatively Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (186) is the quickest at ~5-12 months. Actual timeframes depend on caseload and how complete your application is.
Which of these leads to permanent residence?
186, 191 are permanent. 186: This visa IS permanent residence. 494: Pathway to PR via subclass 191 after 3 years on the visa meeting the income requirement. 191: This is the permanent residence step for the newer regional visas (491/494).
What's the main difference between 186 and 494 and 191?
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (186) is for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer for a permanent role. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (494) is for skilled workers sponsored by a regional employer, with a pathway to PR. Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (191) is for holders of a 491 or 494 regional provisional visa who have met the 3-year residence and income requirements.
Source & citation
VisaChief (2026). 186 vs 494 vs 191: which Australian visa is right for you?. Retrieved 26 August 2026 from https://visachief.com/au/compare/186-vs-494-vs-191