Foreign skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer in regional Australia can apply for a permanent residence visa under the subclass 187 visa. This visa requires the applicant to complete a skills test. The applicant can apply for this visa while in or outside of Australia. When using in Australia, it is mandatory to hold any substantive visa or a related bridging visa A, B, or C.
There are two streams to apply for the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (Subclass 187)
- Direct Entry Stream
- Temporary Residence Transition Stream
Benefits of the Subclass 187 Visa
The applicant and their family members will be eligible for all benefits of Australian permanent residence under this category.
- Also, the applicant can work and live in Australia indefinitely
- Will get the opportunity to study in Australia
- An applicant can sponsor relatives/family members for permanent residence
- Travel in and outside of Australia as much as they want until the visa expires
- Enrol in Medicare, Australia’s state-run healthcare program
- Opportunity to apply for Australian citizenship upon fulfilling the residency obligations
Direct Entry Stream-subclass 187 Visa
Applicants with a minimum of 3 years’ work experience in the nominated occupation, sponsored by an Australian employer to work in regional areas of Australia in the relevant occupation, can apply under this scheme. The applicant should hold a subclass 457 visa while lodging this application.
- Skilled Assessment is mandatory under this scheme
- The applicant should meet the language requirements equivalent to IELTS 6 band in all modules.
- A secondary applicant who is above 18 years should meet the language requirement of IELTS 4.5 band overall or its equivalent.
Temporary Residence Transition Stream Visa
An applicant holding a 457 or Subclass 482 visa can apply under this scheme. The applicant must complete three years of full-time work on a 457 visa and receive a nomination from an Australian employer at least six months before applying for a Subclass 187 visa.
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This scheme does not require a skills assessment.
- The applicant should meet the language requirements equivalent to the IELTS 5 band in all modules.
- A secondary applicant who is above 18 years should meet the language requirement of IELTS 4.5 band overall or its equivalent.
Eligibility Criteria to Apply for Subclass 187 Visa
The processing time wholly depends on various factors, such as:
- An Australian employer should sponsor an applicant in the regional areas of Australia.
- The applicant should be licensed, registered, or a member of a professional body if it is mandatory in the province.
- Age should be less than 45 if age is not mentioned in the labour agreement.
- Nominated by an Australian employer who is legally doing business in Canada.
- Should meet health requirements.
- Applicants should fulfil language requirements unless exempt.
- Should meet character requirements.
- Should fulfil the requirements of the stream under which applicants apply.
- Should submit a skilled assessment if required.
