186 Visa: Employer Nomination Visa (Subclass 186 ENS)
The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) 186 visa gives you (and any family members) permanent residency.
True Blue Migration manages two Employer Nomination Scheme (186) streams.
Do you qualify for a visa?
Free AssessmentTemporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream
If you hold a 482 visa from the medium-term or regional stream (and you did not previously hold a 457 visa), you will be eligible for permanent residency when the following applies:
- You have worked for the same sponsor for three years on a 482 visa
- You have worked in the same occupation for the three years on the 482 visa
- You hold a score of at least 6.0 in all parts of the IELTS (or equivalent test), unless exempt)
- You have been paid at least the salary on your nomination letter
- You are under 45 years of age at the time of lodging your PR visa
- You must be nominated by your 482 sponsor. You cannot apply independently for a 186 visa.
As the 482 visa was only introduced in March 2018, it is still some time before any such applicants will be eligible (March 2021). That said, such applicants may be eligible for Direct Entry, if the requirements below are met. There is more information on this option below.
Learn about TRT grandfathering arrangements for 457 visa holders.
Direct Entry Stream
If you do not meet one of the grandfathering pathways or you hold another visa, such as a Working Holiday 417, Work and Holiday 462 or student visa, you may be eligible for a Direct Entry 186 visa. Eligible offshore applicants can also apply for the 186 Direct Entry visa. Only occupations on the MLTSSL list can be nominated. You must be under 45 years of age, have Competent English and meet the skill assessment and work experience requirements.
Free visa assessment
We can determine your eligibility for the Employer Nomination Scheme (186) and provide information on grandfathering provisions if you were impacted by the abolition of the 457 program and wish to remain in Australia. Please complete our online assessment form and we will recommend the best pathway for you to take.
Skill assessment for 186 visa
186 Direct Entry applications require a skill assessment as part of the visa application process (few exemptions apply). We will manage this with you. We provide checklists of documents needed, we review and advise on your paperwork and we lodge and follow up with the assessment body on your behalf. For some occupations, you can obtain a positive skill assessment but not meet the three years of full time skilled work requirement. A Registered Migration Agent can clarify this for you.
Approval to sponsor a 186 visa applicant
You must be sponsored by an eligible employer. The employer must be able to offer you a two year full time position on grant of the visa, pay you at a market salary rate and demonstrate how your job fits into the business. We help your employer with this and all other steps of their sponsorship of you on the Employer Nomination Scheme (186).