Foreign national skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer in regional Australia can apply for permanent residence visa under 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 applying 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 the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (Subclass 187)
- Direct Entry Stream
- Temporary Residence Transition Stream
Benefits in subclass 187 Visa
The applicant and their family members will get all the 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
- Enroll in Medicare, Australia’s state-run healthcare program
- Opportunity to apply for Australian citizenship on fulfilling the residency obligations
Direct Entry Stream-subclass 187 visa
Applicant having work experience of a minimum of 3 years in the nominated occupation and 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-subclass 187 visa
An applicant holding a 457 or Subclass 482 visa can apply under this scheme. Applicant should be worked for 3 years fulltime while holding a 457 visa and nominated by an Australian employer whose nomination is approved at least 6 months before applying for a subclass 187 visa.
- Skilled Assessment is not required under this scheme
- 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 like:
- Applicant should be sponsored by an Australian employer in 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 fulfill language requirements unless exempt.
- Should meet character requirements.
- Should fulfill the requirement of the stream under which applicants apply.
- Should submit a skilled assessment if required.
