Charges from 1 July 2026: main applicant A$6,135.
Visa file / Skilled and work visas
Hong Kong stream 189 / 191
Hong Kong stream (Skilled Independent 189 and Skilled Regional 191)
Permanent residence for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders who have held a 457, 482 or 485 visa for 4 years (3 years in regional areas).
In force
File: 189 / 191
Main chargeA$6,135
Information checked22 October 2026
Personal adviceRegistered agent only
Who it is for
Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders in Australia on an eligible temporary visa (457, 482 or 485 granted as the main applicant). The 189 stream needs 4 years of residence; the 191 stream needs 3 years living, working or studying in a designated regional area.
Published eligibility
- Hold a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport when you apply.
- 189: hold an eligible 457, 482 or 485 visa (main applicant) held for at least 4 years, and usually resident in Australia for a continuous 4 years before applying. Visas cannot be combined to meet the period.
- 191: hold an eligible visa for at least 3 years, usually resident in a designated regional area for a continuous 3 years, and any work or study in that period done in a designated regional area.
- Complied with the conditions of the eligible visa.
- Functional English or pay the second instalment; health and character.
Where you apply from
In or outside Australia, not in immigration clearance.
From first enquiry to grant and after.
The usual steps, and where a registered migration agent can help at each one. Immi Worldwide gives general information and settlement support, never advice about your visa.
- 01
First enquiry
You tell the registered migration agent your current visa, where you are, your family and any past refusals or cancellations.
Where a registered migration agent can helpIdentifies your current visa, its conditions and expiry, and any early risk.
- 02
Check the visa and residence period
Confirm the single eligible visa held for the full period and continuous residence.
Where a registered migration agent can helpChecks visa history and residence carefully, because visas cannot be combined.
- 03
Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
Where a registered migration agent can helpSets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed.
- 04
Evidence
Passport, visa grant, residence evidence and, for 191, regional work or study evidence.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPrepares residence and regional evidence.
- 05
Lodge
Lodge in ImmiAccount and include family members.
Where a registered migration agent can helpLodges a complete application.
- 06
Health, police and biometrics
Health examinations, police certificates and biometrics when the Department asks.
Where a registered migration agent can helpTracks every request and deadline so nothing lapses.
- 07
Permanent residence
Medicare, family sponsorship and citizenship when eligible.
Where a registered migration agent can helpPlans citizenship timing.
Charges and processing times.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| 189 Hong Kong stream, main applicant | A$6,135 |
| 189: family member 18 or over | A$3,070 |
| 189: family member under 18 | A$1,535 |
| 191 Hong Kong stream, main applicant | A$6,135 |
| 191: family member 18 or over | A$3,065 |
| 191: family member under 18 | A$1,535 |
| Second instalment, each applicant 18 or over without functional English | A$4,885 |
Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator before you rely on a figure.
Processing times: not published by Home Affairs for this visa. Not listed separately in the Home Affairs processing time guide. Global visa processing times.
Common refusal reasons
- Eligible visa not held for the full period, or visas combined.
- Residence not continuous, or outside a designated regional area (191).
- Visa condition breaches.
- Health or character.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience. They are not Departmental statistics.
Document checklist
Eligibility
Family
A general list. The Department's own document checklist for your application is the one that counts. Ticks stay on this page only.
What changed, and what people ask.
Sources
- Home Affairs: Skilled Independent visa, Hong Kong stream
- Home Affairs: Skilled Regional visa, Hong Kong stream
- Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your circumstances.
Where this becomes advice
How any of these rules applies to a particular person, which visa to choose, and any application are immigration assistance, given only by a registered migration agent.
Immi Worldwide does not give immigration assistance. For advice about your own situation, Immi Worldwide can refer you to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130, of The Immigration Worldwide Pty Ltd, or you can choose any registered migration agent.
Ask for a referral to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130 Ask for a call back about a referral
The referral form opens with the box to pass your enquiry to the registered agent already ticked. Immi Worldwide does not charge for a referral.