Australian policy in 2025 includes dedicated permanent residency pathways for eligible Hong Kong SAR and British National (Overseas) passport holders via the subclass 189 Hong Kong stream and subclass 191 Hong Kong (Regional) stream, which do not use the points test or an invitation process from SkillSelect. Eligibility is anchored to holding specific temporary visas (457, 482, or 485) under the Hong Kong concessions and meeting continuous residence requirements, with standard health and character checks applying.[1][2][3][4]
What changed for Hong Kong
Australia created two PR streams exclusively for Hong Kong SAR and BNO passport holders: 189 Hong Kong stream (nationwide) and 191 Hong Kong (Regional) stream (designated regional areas). These were implemented by the Migration Legislation Amendment (Hong Kong) Regulations 2021 and commenced 5 March 2022, remaining in place in 2025 under Home Affairs policy pages. The concessions also extended or granted certain 457/482/485 visas for up to five years, forming the basis for time-in-Australia eligibility for these streams.[2][3][4][1]
Who qualifies in principle
Eligibility is limited to holders of Hong Kong SAR passports or British National (Overseas) passports applying under the specified Hong Kong streams of 189 or 191. Primary applicants must have held, as primary holders, an eligible subclass 457, 482 or 485 visa covered by the Hong Kong concessions during the qualifying period. All applicants must satisfy public interest criteria including health and character, the standard for permanent visas.[3][5][4][1]
189 Hong Kong stream
The 189 Hong Kong stream grants permanent residence to eligible Hong Kong SAR or BNO passport holders who have usually resided in Australia for at least four years immediately before application while holding an eligible 457/482/485 visa covered by the concessions. This stream is separate from the points-tested 189 stream and does not require an EOI, invitation, skills assessment, or occupation list nomination because it is not in the points-tested stream. Home Affairs confirms the Hong Kong stream sits alongside other 189 pathways but operates with its own criteria for Hong Kong/BNO applicants.[6][4][7][1][2]
191 Hong Kong (Regional) stream
The 191 Hong Kong (Regional) stream provides PR for eligible Hong Kong SAR or BNO passport holders who have lived, worked or studied exclusively in designated regional areas for three years, and have been usually resident in Australia for those three years, while holding an eligible 457/482/485 visa covered by the concessions. Unlike the general 191 Regional Provisional pathway, the Hong Kong (Regional) stream does not require proving a taxable income threshold across those three years according to guidance widely cited by practitioners and summaries of the instrument. The Home Affairs 191 page lists Hong Kong stream criteria as a distinct path that does not require a sponsor and confers PR with no ongoing visa conditions.[8][5][4][9][10][11]
“Usually resident” and regional coverage
“Usually resident” requires demonstrating a continuous period living primarily in Australia for the specified years immediately prior to application under each stream’s residence test. Designated regional areas include all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast and most other metropolitan and non‑metropolitan areas counted as regional for migration purposes.[4][9][12][6]
What is not required
The Hong Kong streams do not use the 189 points test, do not require an occupation on a skilled list, and do not require a skills assessment or SkillSelect invitation, reflecting their separate legislative framework. Standard PR requirements still apply, including health, character, and security checks for all applicants included in the application.[7][1][2][4]
Comparison: 189 vs 191 Hong Kong streams
| Aspect | 189 Hong Kong stream | 191 Hong Kong (Regional) stream |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Hong Kong SAR or BNO required | Hong Kong SAR or BNO required |
| Qualifying visas | Primary holder of 457, 482 or 485 under concessions | Primary holder of 457, 482 or 485 under concessions |
| Residence period | 4 years usually resident in Australia | 3 years usually resident in Australia |
| Regional requirement | Not required | Lived, worked or studied exclusively in designated regional areas for 3 years |
| Points test/invitation | Not used; separate stream | Not used; separate stream |
| Income threshold | Not applicable to stream | Not applicable to HK regional stream per practitioner guidance |
Common eligibility scenarios in 2025
Graduates who held a 485 under the Hong Kong concessions for at least four years and have been usually resident in Australia can apply under the 189 Hong Kong stream when the residence requirement is met. Temporary skilled workers on 482 (or legacy 457) under the concessions can pursue either 189 Hong Kong after four years nationwide residence or 191 Hong Kong (Regional) after three years exclusively in regional areas. Family members who were part of the qualifying temporary visa can be included, with specific allowances noted in the legislative instrument for older dependent children progressing with the family unit.
Application steps
Confirm passport eligibility (Hong Kong SAR or BNO) and that the qualifying 457/482/485 visa was covered by the Hong Kong concessions window or five‑year grant framework. Compile evidence of continuous residence (and regional residence where applicable), plus work or study in regional areas for the 191 Hong Kong stream, and meet health and character checks at lodgement and decision. Apply directly to the relevant Hong Kong stream (189 or 191) via ImmiAccount without submitting an EOI, ensuring the residence period is complete at the time of application.[9][1][2][6][4]
Documents and evidence
Prepare proof of identity and eligible passport type, qualifying visa grant and compliance, residential history and travel records covering the entire qualifying period, and evidence of regional location for the 191 Hong Kong stream (e.g. leases, bills, employment and study records). Include police certificates for countries lived in per character rules and undergo Home Affairs‑specified health examinations consistent with PR applications. Where applicable, include family members with evidence of relationship and continued membership of the family unit in accordance with stream rules.
Fees, conditions and outcomes
The Hong Kong streams carry the standard visa application charge structure and English second‑instalment settings aligned to the 189/191 skills‑based PR visas, per the instrument and Home Affairs pages. The 191 Hong Kong stream results in a permanent visa with no ongoing conditions listed for the stream, consistent with Home Affairs’ visa conditions guidance. Both streams confer permanent residence with full work and study rights and no need for state nomination or an employer sponsor at PR stage.
Strategic considerations
Applicants close to meeting four years of usual residence nationwide may target the 189 Hong Kong stream, while those established in regional locations for three years can aim for the 191 Hong Kong (Regional) stream. Given the streams are separate from points‑tested migration, planning should focus on maintaining lawful status on eligible visas, meeting continuous residence requirements, and retaining documentary evidence of residence and (for 191) regional activity. Where circumstances are complex (e.g. periods of travel, address changes, or mixed study/work locations), early evidence collation helps demonstrate continuous and, if needed, exclusively regional residence at lodgement.