Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187)

The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme under subclass 190 is significantly similar to the ENS visa under subclass 186 but it has a few distinctive points that make it a unique visa appeal. Similar to the 186 visa, this visa allows nominated skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently. Approved employers can employ international workers from abroad or within Australia when they cannot first fill the roles with Australian Nationals or Permanent Residents due to shortages. Under this scheme, international workers are given a permanent skilled position. Applicants can work and study in Australia, enroll in Medicare, and apply for Australian citizenship if eligible. Applicants can be inside or outside the Australian territory while making the application.

The major point that differentiates the 187 visa from the 186 visa is that the candidate has to be nominated by their employer in regional Australia. This visa type is for employers and employees residing and working in regional areas and low-populated sectors in Australia. The specification of only regional areas for this visa type is the only distinction from the ENS visa under subclass 186. The eligibility criteria to apply for this visa, entitlements received with the approval of the application, and procedure to lodge the visa application are all constant with the Employer Nominated Scheme under Subclass 186.

There are only 2 approaches to applying for a 187 visa for permanent residency:

• Direct Entry Stream
  The direct entry stream pathway under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187) lets skilled workers, who are nominated by an employer, live and work in regional Australia permanently. This pathway of visa appeal is for people who have never, or only briefly, worked in Australia. This is the best avenue for people who have never worked in Australia and have been nominated by their Australian employer and also for those people who are not eligible under Temporary Residence Transition.

• Temporary Residence Transition Stream
  The temporary residence transition stream under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187) allows skilled workers who are nominated by their employer to reside and work in regional Australia permanently. This visa appeal has certain conditions and requirements that must be noted by the applicants to check whether they can proceed forward for a 187 visa via this stream. All the requirements for a 187 visa under this stream resonate with the criteria for a 186 visa under the same stream.