Employer Nomination Visa – Subclass 186 -

Subclass 186 is an employer nomination visa that lets skilled workers nominated by their employer live and work in Australia permanently.

There are three different types of employer nomination visa subclass 186.

What you should know about the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme

Direct Entry stream

As a nominated skilled worker, you can live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely with the direct entry stream. You can sponsor eligible family members to come with you to Australia.

You can enrol in the Australian public healthcare scheme and apply for Australian citizenship if you are eligible.

You are allowed to travel in and out of Australia for five years. The visa costs $4,115 for the main applicant. There are additional charges when applying for family members, including your partner, dependent child and so on. You may also include a family member who holds a subclass 457 visa or subclass 482 visa.

Eligibility criteria for a direct entry stream 186 visa application

You must be under 45 years of age before applying for the direct entry stream 186 visa application. Some conditions may exempt you. You may connect with us to know more.
Your occupation must be listed in the relevant skilled occupation list.
You must have a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience unless you are exempt.
You must have a positive skills assessment unless you are exempt.
You must be nominated by an Australian employer to apply for this visa.
You must meet the health and character requirements.
You must have at least a competent level of English.

The visa processing time for employer nomination visa subclass 186 may take 5 to 8 months. This time also depends on the information you have provided on the 186 visa application form.

Labour agreement stream

The labour agreement stream 186 visa lets skilled workers nominated by their employer live and work in Australia indefinitely. You might be eligible for this stream if you currently work, or will work, for an employer who is a party to a labour agreement.

You can enrol in the Australian public healthcare scheme and apply for Australian citizenship if you are eligible.

Eligibility criteria for a labour agreement stream 186 visa application

Before applying for this visa, you must be under 45 years of age unless the labour agreement mentioned otherwise.
You should be currently employed or scheduled to work for your nominating employer, who is party to a labour agreement.
You must meet the age, skills and English language proficiency requirements.
You must hold a substantive 457 or TSS visa issued under a labour agreement if you are in Australia.
You must meet the health and character requirements.

The visa processing time may take 15 to 24 months. This time also depends on the information you have provided on the 186 visa application form.

Temporary Residence Transition Stream

The temporary residence transition stream visa lets a nominated employee live and work in Australia permanently as a skilled worker.

You can enrol in the Australian public healthcare scheme and apply for Australian citizenship if you are eligible.

Eligibility criteria for temporary residence transition stream 186 visa application

Before applying for this visa, you must be under 45 years of age unless exempt.
You must hold a subclass 457, TSS or related Bridging visa A, B or C.
Your eligibility depends on whether you have worked for your employer for a minimum of 3 years full time while holding a subclass 457 or TSS visa.
You must be nominated by an Australian employer whose nomination was approved six months before you applied.
You must meet the health and character requirements.
You must have at least a competent level of English.

The visa processing time may take 9 to 16 months. This time also depends on the information you have provided on the 186 visa application form.