The subclass 186 visa is an employer sponsored permanent visa, also known as an Employer Nomination Scheme visa (ENS visa) (subclass 186).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 186 Visa (Employer Nomination Scheme)?
The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer. This visa allows you and your family to live and work in Australia permanently. To be eligible, you must have the necessary skills for the nominated position, meet health and character requirements, and be nominated by an Australian employer. There are three streams under this visa: Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition, and Labour Agreement, each with specific criteria.
Who is eligible for the 186 visa?
There are three streams for the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186), each with specific eligibility requirements:
- Direct Entry Stream: If you have three years of full-time work experience in an occupation on the Core Occupation List, and a positive Skills Assessment from the relevant skills assessing body, you may be eligible to be nominated in this stream, regardless of how long you have worked for your nominating employer.
- Temporary Residence Transition Stream: If you have been working for your employer on a subclass 482 visa full-time for two years in the past 3 years, you may be eligible for this stream without needing to obtain a positive Skills Assessment. Note that any periods of unpaid leave cannot be counted.
- Labour Agreement Stream: This stream is for applicants who are sponsored by an employer through a labor agreement that has been negotiated with the Australian Government. The eligibility requirements for this stream are set out in the specific labour agreement.
In all streams, visa applicants must:
- Have the requisite standard of English,
- Pass the character test, and
- Meet the health criteria for grant of the visa.
What is the processing time for a 186 visa?
The Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) can take anywhere between two months and one year to be processed. Information on current processing times based on the stream can be found on the Home Affairs website.
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