The 187 visa is a permanent visa for skilled foreign workers who have a nominating employer in a regional or low population growth area of Australia
In November 2019, the Direct Entry Stream of the 187 Visa was replaced by the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) – Subclass 494 Visa
APPLICANTS CAN STILL APPLY FOR THE 187 VISA THROUGH THE TRANSITION STREAM
The 187 Visa (RSMS) previously had two streams:
DIRECT ENTRY STREAM: This Stream is no longer accepting application (From 15th November 2019)
TRANSITIONAL STREAM: For 457 or 482 TSS Visa holders who have worked for their nominating employer for a minimum of two or three years.
Applicants must agree to remain employed with their nominating employer in regional Australia for a minimum of 2 years after their 187 visa approval.
This permanent Regional Sponsored Migration Stream (RSMS) Subclass 187 Visa allows skilled overseas workers to live and work in a regional area of Australia.
187 Visa holders can:
- work in Australia indefinitely
- study in Australia
- travel to and from Australia for 5 years
- apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
Applying for a 187 Visa (Transition Stream TRT)
You may be eligible to apply for a 187 (RSMS) permanent visa if you meet the below requirements:
- You have been working for your employer for 2 years while holding a 457 or 482 visa
- you have an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupations list
- your employer is located in a regional area of Australia
- have at least competent English or acceptable school English certificates Read More
Is the Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme Subclass 187 Right for You?
If you already have a job in Australia and are interested in turning a temporary visa into a permanent stay in the country, the RSMS Visa 187 could be the right option for you. But with so many formalities to satisfy, the process of obtaining a Visa 187 and becoming permanently resident in Australia can often seem like a daunting one. Fortunately, with the help of a reputable migration specialist, you can be confident that you will be able to get all the help and information you need to put together a strong application that gives you the best possible chance of being accepted – all with minimal hassle or expense on your part.
Australian Skilled Migration is Your Professional, Reliable 187 Visa Migration Agent
With over two decades of experience in the recruitment industry, we know the important role that overseas workers play in the Australian economy. And ever since 2010 when we began to specialise in offering professional migration services, we have made it our mission to help skilled people turn their dreams into realities and start new lives in Australia.
If you are unsure of how to proceed with your visa application or you are worried you may not meet the 187 Visa Australia requirements, our team of friendly and knowledgeable migration agents – every one of whom has been fully registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority – will be able to give you the help and advice you need and put your mind at ease.
Learn More About the RSMS Visa 187 requirements On Our Website Today
The Australian Skilled Migration website is full of handy tools like the free eligibility assessment tool, the free skilled occupations list and the visa finder to make your life as easy as possible. But if you would like to speak to one of our experts, feel free to get in touch with your questions or fill out the online form for a personalised quote. Read Less
The 187 visa allows you to
• stay in Australia permanently
• work and study in Australia
• enrol in Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system)
• sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
• travel to and from Australia for 5 years
• Apply for Australian Citizenship (If eligible)
Include your family
187 visa holders may be able to include the below family members to their application
• partner
• dependent child
• partner’s dependent child
Family members must meet the health and character requirements.
If you already hold a permanent 187 (RSMS) Visa and you would like to bring your family to Australia, you will need to apply for one of the family visas.
Employer Nomination
Applicants must be nominated for by an Australian employer before applying for this visa and must apply within 6 months of the nomination being approved if the applications aren’t lodged together.
The visa cannot be granted if:
• the nomination is withdrawn, or
• the position is no longer available
Length of stay
This is a permanent visa, however, the 187 visa has a travel component that expires 5 years after the date of visa grant.
After this time, applicants can apply for one of the below:
• Australian Citizenship
• Resident Return Visa
Speak to one of our registered migration agents to find out whether you may be eligible to apply for the 187 Visa.
You may be eligible to apply for a 187 (RSMS) permanent visa
You may be able to apply for a Subclass 187 Visa through the direct entry stream if you meet the following requirements:
Experience
Unless exempt, most applicants must have at least three years of relevant work experience in their occupation.
Applicants who are exempt from the skills assessment requirement are also exempt from the work experience requirement.
English
The primary applicant for the 186 Visa must have Competent English.
You will need to take an English test unless one of the following applies:
- you are a passport holder from Canada, Ireland, UK, USA or NZ
If you need to take an English test, you can take one of the below tests:
| Test | Required score |
|---|---|
| IELTS | At least 6 for each of the 4 components |
| TOEFL iBT | At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking |
| PTE Academic | At least 50 for each of the 4 components |
| OET | At least B for each of the 4 components |
| Cambridge | At least 169 in each of the 4 components |
Don’t meet this requirement? Click here to increase your English score
English Exemption
You are exempt from this requirement if you have completed at least five years of full-time study at a secondary or higher education institution where all tuition was conducted in English.
Age
Typically, you must be under 45 years of age when you apply.
You are exempt from this criterion if any of the following applies to you:
- You are nominated as an academic (university lecturer or faculty head at Academic Level A, B, C, D, or E) by an Australian university.
- You are nominated as a scientist, researcher, or technical specialist at ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2 by an Australian scientific government agency or university.
- You are nominated as a medical practitioner and have worked in the occupation in a designated regional area of Australia for at least two years in the three years immediately before you apply as a subclass 457 or 482 visa holder. The nominated position must also be in a designated regional area.
- As a subclass 457 or 482 visa holder, you have worked in the nominated occupation for the nominating employer for at least two years within the three years immediately before you apply, and your earnings for each year of that period were at least equivalent to the Fair Work High Income Threshold.
Transitional Arrangements
- If you held (or had applied for and were later granted) a subclass 457 visa on 18 April 2017, you can still apply for this visa if you are under 50 when you apply.
Health & Character
Meet the health, character and age requirements (Unless you are exempt)
Nomination
You must be nominated by an Australian employer and apply for the 187 visa within 6 months of the nomination being approved (If the visa and nomination applications were not lodged at the same time)
The visa will not be granted if the nomination is withdrawn. The Department does not link new nominations to existing visa applications.
187 Visa Estimated Cost
Include your family in your Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme Subclass 187 Visa
187 visa holders may be able to include the below family members to their application
-> Dependent children/step-children
-> Partner’s dependent child or children
-> Partner
PARTNERS
Your married or de facto partner can be the same or opposite sex. Applicants must prove:
• the relationship is genuine and continuing
• you live together, or do not live separately on a permanent basis.
• your partner is at least 18 years of age when the application is lodged (there are some exceptions)
• you are not related by family (if you are in a de facto relationship)
• you and your partner have a mutual commitment to a shared life to the exclusion of all others
CHILDREN
To be eligible to be included or added to a 186 visa, a child must:
• be your child or a stepchild from a current or a previous relationship (in certain circumstances);
• not be married, engaged to be married, or have a de facto partner; and must be:
• under 18 years of age
or
• over 18 years of age but not yet turned 23, and be dependent on you or your partner
or
• over 23 years of age and be unable to earn a living to support themselves due to physical or cognitive limitations and be dependent on you or your partner (Note: The child will still need to meet Australia’s health requirement)
or
• a dependent child of a child who is eligible under 1, 2 or 3 above.
ENGLISH
Applicants over 18 must demonstrate Functional English. However, you can choose to pay an additional application fee to the department for family members who have less than functional English.
AGE
Children 23 years and over cannot be included in your application. (Unless there are exceptional circumstances)
HEALTH & CHARACTER
All family members must meet the health and character requirements. All applicants over 16 must provide police clearances.
If you already hold a permanent 187 (ENS) Visa and you would like to bring your family to Australia, you will need to apply for one of the family visas.
Subclass 187 Visa streams & requirements
This is a permanent visa for skilled foreign workers who have a nominating employer in a regional or low population growth area of Australia.
Applicants can be in or outside Australia when they apply for this visa.
DIRECT ENTRY STREAM
In November 2019, the Direct Entry Stream of the 187 Visa was replaced by the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) – Subclass 494 Visa
Applicants can still apply for the 187 visa through the Transition Stream
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE TRANSITION STREAM (TRT)
• Applicants must hold a 457 visa or a TSS visa
• Applicants must have worked for their employer full-time for two or three years (depending on when your visa was lodged)
• Applicants must be nominated by an employer
-> If your 457 visa was lodged before 18th of April 2017, click here to see detailed 457 to permanent residency requirements.
-> If your 457 visa was lodged after 18th of April 2017, check the TSS to permanent residency detailed requirements.
How it works
Step 1
You have an Australian employer who is willing to sponsor you.
Step 2
Our migration agents liaise with you and your employer to collect documents.
Step 3
We lodge your RCB, nomination and visa application with the Department.
Step 4
Step 5
You are expected to stay in a regional area for 2 years after approval
Need more information abut the 187 visa or have questions?
Our agents regularly conduct FREE live webinars. This is your chance to ask questions and receive free help to get started. Register now to reserve your spot.
“We would like to thank you and ASM for all your assistance in making our dreams come true. It is the most awaiting moment that we can be together as a family. To live with my husband and my little princess. Thank you so much. I still can’t believe it that our visa was approved.”
“Hard work paid off!! Thank you for your support. God Bless you always.”
Get a quote
Know what visa you want to apply for but need some pricing? Get in touch with us and we will get back to you with a fixed price quote.
Book a consultation
Australian Skilled Migration has helped hundreds of overseas workers apply for Permanent Residency in Australia. If you already have an Australian employer willing to sponsor you or would like more information about the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme, book an appointment to discuss the 187 Visa with one of our Registered Migration Agents.
Find an employer
If you are looking for an Australian employer in a regional area to sponsor you for permanent residency, go to our current vacancies page to see if we have a suitable position for you.
