VisaChief 191 vs 887: which Australian visa is right for you?
Both convert a regional provisional visa into permanent residence - the 191 follows the 491/494, the 887 follows the older 489, each with its own regional residence and income requirements.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (191) | Skilled Regional visa (887) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Permanent / PR | Permanent / PR |
| Who it's for | Holders of a 491 or 494 regional provisional visa who have met the 3-year residence and income requirements. | Holders of a 491 (or older 489) who have met the regional residence and income requirements. |
| Government cost | ~$6,135 (main applicant) | ~$630 (main applicant) |
| Processing time | ~6-12 months | ~9-14 months |
| Length of stay | Permanent | Permanent |
| Where to apply | Onshore or offshore | Onshore |
| Work rights | Unlimited - full PR work rights | Unlimited - full PR work rights |
| Pathway to PR | This is the permanent residence step for the newer regional visas (491/494). | This is the permanent residence step that follows the regional provisional visa. |
Which is right for you?
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 →Skilled Regional visa (887)
Holders of a 491 (or older 489) who have met the regional residence and income requirements.
Full 887 guide →Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, 191 or 887?
On indicative 2026-27 government costs, Skilled Regional visa (887) is the lowest at ~$630 (main applicant). Government fees change periodically - confirm before applying.
Which is processed faster, 191 or 887?
Indicatively Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (191) is the quickest at ~6-12 months. Actual timeframes depend on caseload and how complete your application is.
Do all of these lead to permanent residence?
Yes. 191: This is the permanent residence step for the newer regional visas (491/494). 887: This is the permanent residence step that follows the regional provisional visa.
What's the main difference between 191 and 887?
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. Skilled Regional visa (887) is for holders of a 491 (or older 489) who have met the regional residence and income requirements.
Source & citation
VisaChief (2026). 191 vs 887: which Australian visa is right for you?. Retrieved 26 August 2026 from https://visachief.com/au/compare/191-vs-887