What is the 186 Visa?
The 186 Visa is known as Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa allows skilled workers from overseas to be nominated by an employer in Australia for permanent residency without any restrictions. It is tailored for people who have relevant skills, work experience, and English language proficiency as many 186 Visa requirements are needed to be met. This visa gives a pathway for Permanent residency and consists of 3 categories such as Direct Entry Stream, Labour Agreement Stream, and the Temporary Residence Transition Stream.
Purpose and Benefits of the 186 Visa
The 186 Visa, or Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa, is designed to provide skilled foreign workers with a permanent residency pathway in Australia. It allows businesses to sponsor highly qualified employees for long-term employment, addressing labor shortages in critical industries. This visa is particularly beneficial for individuals looking to transition from a 482 visa to 186 visa, provided they meet the necessary requirements under the Temporary Residence Transition Stream.
Key Benefits of the 186 Visa
- Permanent Residency: Grants the right to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.
- Pathway from 482 Visa: Applicants with Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa can obtain 186 Visa, hence ensuring stability.
- Work Flexibility: Permits to work in particular occupations for respective sponsoring employers without any limitations.
- Family Sponsorship: Ensures and allows dependent family members to work and study in Australia.
- Access to Social Benefits: Once residency is established, applicants become eligible for health care and other government services.
- Pathway to Citizenship: Makes it possible to seek Australian citizenship once residency annex conditions have been satisfied.
The 186 Visa is a great option for skilled workers who want to secure a permanent future in Australia, especially those transitioning from a 482 visa to 186 visa requirements under an employer’s sponsorship.
General Eligibility Requirements
Work Experience: For the chosen occupation, work experience must amount to at least 3 years.
Age Limit: Applicants are required to be below 45 years of age, but there are exemptions for certain roles and individuals with higher income.
Proficiency in English: Depending on the stream, a certain level of proficiency in English must be demonstrated.
Skills Assessment: One of the frequently asked questions regarding application is, “Is skill assessment required for 186 visa?” The answer is stream and occupation dependent. Sometimes skills assessment is required to verify the qualifications of the applicant.
Labour Market Testing (LMT): Employers tend to inquire, “Is labour market testing required for 186 visa?” LMT is needed for specified occupations with no exceptions which show evidence that the employer had sought a suitable Australian worker.
Health and character: Character and health assessments ought to be made by the applicants and relevant family members of the applicant before the visa is issued.
Meeting the requirements for a skilled 186 visa makes it possible for professionals to relocate permanently to Australia which in turn provides them with a new level of stability in their careers.
Step-by-Step Process to Apply for the 186 Skills Visa
If you meet the 186 visa direct entry requirements, follow these steps to apply for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) 186 Visa.
- Eligibility: Ensure to check if you are qualified to obtain the 186 visa which has direct entry with regard to age, sponsorship, English language skills, and work experience.
- Employer Nomination: You must have an Australian employer who is approved to act as a sponsor and file a nomination application of the employee occupation.
- Skills Assessment: Depending on your particular occupation, you might have to undertake a skills assessment.
- English Proficiency: Evidence such as PTE, IELTS, or TOEFL of English language proficiency should be submitted. PTE requirements for different visa streams is variable.
- Health Check: You are required to attend health examinations and provide police clearance certificates.
- Application Submission: For the 186 visa, you can apply for the visa through an online platform known as Immi Account. Make sure to attach all of the necessary documents.
- Processing Stage: You may be asked by the Department of Home Affairs to provide other documents during the assessment period for your application.
- Decision: You will receive a letter with the visa grant and the conditions to abide by, should your application be approved.
For those transitioning from a 482 visa, ensure you meet all 482 visa requirements before applying for permanent residency under the 186 Visa.
482 Visa Cost for Applicants and Employers
The 482 visa (Temporary Skill Shortage visa) cost varies based on the stream and associated employer fees.
For Applicants:
- Short-Term Stream: AUD $1,495
- Medium-Term & Labour Agreement Stream: AUD $3,115
For Employers:
- Sponsorship Fee: AUD $420
- Nomination Fee: AUD $330
For the most updated costs, visit the Home Affairs website before applying.
Streams of the 186 Visa
The three main streams of the 186 Visa are the Direct Entry, the Temporary Residence Transition, and the Agreement Labour Stream. Let us have a look at all three of them in detail below.
1. Direct Entry Stream
The Direct Entry Stream is perfect for applicants who have never been issued with a temporary work visa or seek to apply for permanent residency.
2. Temporary Residence Transition Stream
Focused on workers who were temporarily employed in Australia and is seeking to gain permanent residency.
3. Agreement Stream
It is intended for those sponsored by an employer under certain agreement signed with the Australian government to issue a permanent residency visa to qualified workers. Applicants are required to satisfy the criteria established by the particular agreement.
To obtain any kind of visa in Australia, every person is required to meet certain eligibility requirements including specific application procedures and selection prerequisites. Therefore, a When choosing which application stream to use, think about which situation is the most appropriate.
FAQ’s
What health and character requirements must be met?
Applicants for the 186 visa must meet health and character requirements, including undergoing medical examinations and providing police clearance certificates to ensure they meet Australia’s public health and security standards.
Can someone apply from outside Australia?
Yes, individuals can apply for the 186 visa from outside Australia, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and have a valid job offer from an Australian employer willing to sponsor them.
What are the 182 visa conditions?
There is no 182 visa in Australia. If you meant the 482 visa (Temporary Skill Shortage visa), its conditions include:
- You must work for your sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation.
- You must maintain adequate health insurance during your stay.
- You must comply with Australian workplace laws.
- You can only work for the sponsoring employer unless you change sponsors.
- You must meet visa validity and renewal conditions.
M. Rafique Shaker is the visionary leader and driving force behind VICPAK Consultant, guiding students toward their study abroad dreams since 2009. With his own international educational experience and global exposure in the Far East, the Middle East and Canada, he deeply understands the challenges students face. His dedication, passion and commitment to morals have helped to establish VICPAK in Australia, UAE and Pakistan, making it a trusted name in student consultancy. Rafique continues to inspire and support students in shaping their academic and professional future.
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