PR Visa Australia: Every Permanent Residence Pathway Compared (2026)

Australia has more than a dozen routes to permanent residence — skilled, state-nominated, employer-sponsored, regional, partner, parent and business pathways. This compares what each one costs, how long it takes, and what permanent residence actually gives you once granted. Figures as at September 2026.

Read the full guide, with official sources →

Watch

Chapters

  1. 0:00 A PR visa:
  2. 0:14 PR isn't citizenship —
  3. 0:28 Travel facility:
  4. 0:42 Subclass 189:
  5. 0:54 State nomination:
  6. 1:11 Employer-sponsored:
  7. 1:30 Partner visas:
  8. 1:46 Contributory parent visa:
  9. 2:00 188 closed 31 July 2024 —
  10. 2:20 Government fees:
  11. 2:36 Speed varies
  12. 2:57 The right pathway
  13. 3:08 Where to read more

Transcript

If you're searching "PR visa Australia," here's the one-line answer: permanent residence gives you the right to live and work here indefinitely, with no expiry date on that right.

It's not citizenship. As a permanent resident you can't vote in federal elections or hold an Australian passport — but you can use Medicare, and after 4 years of residence, including 1 year as a PR, you can apply for citizenship.

Your PR visa carries a 5-year travel facility. After that, you need a Resident Return Visa — subclass 155 or 157 — to keep re-entering Australia as a permanent resident.

The subclass 189 needs no employer and no state — it's points-tested through SkillSelect, and invitation thresholds have historically run 90 or above for many popular occupations.

The subclass 190 adds 5 points through state nomination, with a 2-year commitment to live and work in that state. The subclass 491 adds 15 points, but it's provisional — permanent residence comes via the subclass 191 after 3 years of regional living.

Employer-sponsored PR runs through the subclass 186 — three streams, including Temporary Residence Transition for subclass 482 holders who've worked 3 years for their sponsor. The regional equivalent, subclass 494, also reaches PR via the subclass 191, after 3 years.

Partner visas are two-stage — subclass 820 then 801 onshore, or 309 then 100 offshore. The temporary stage is currently processing in 18 to 30 months, with the permanent stage assessed automatically about 2 years after that.

Parent visas cost dramatically more. The contributory subclass 143 or 864 runs government charges of $49,900, with a queue Home Affairs estimates at about 15 years.

The business subclass 888 only exists for people who already hold a subclass 188 — that visa closed to new applicants on 31 July 2024. The National Innovation Visa, subclass 858, is the direct alternative — no employer or sponsor, but it needs a nominator and demonstrable prominence.

For pure cost, skilled visas are the cheapest: $6,135 for a subclass 189, $6,140 for a subclass 186 — against $49,900 for the contributory parent route.

For speed: the 186 transition stream can take 6 to 18 months once you're eligible. A subclass 189 could land in 12 months, or take several years in a competitive occupation. A partner visa runs 2 to 4 years total. The 491-to-191 route needs a minimum of 3.5 years.

Every pathway carries its own occupation lists, points rules or employer requirements — mapping your situation against all of them is what decides which one is actually realistic for you.

The full guide, with the official sources, is on migratio.com.au. The link is in the description. And if you'd like to talk it through, you can compare registered migration agents there, and see their fees before you book anything.

Short versions

Talk it through with a registered agent

Every agent on Migratio is on the official OMARA register. Compare agents and their consultation fees.

Related Migratio resources