EMPLOYER NOMINATION SCHEME VISA (SUBCLASS 186)

With this visa, you can

• remain in Australia indefinitely
• work and study there
• Enrol in Medicare , the country's public health insurance programme
• sponsor eligible relatives to visit Australia
• travel to and from Australia for five years; and, if qualified, apply for Australian citizenship

There might be a waiting period before recently arrived residents can receive certain benefits and payments from the Australian government.

How long you can stay

You can remain in Australia for as long as you like with this permanent visa.

The day the visa is approved makes you a permanent resident of the country. For citizenship purposes, your permanent residency begins

• • on the day you enter Australia on this visa if you are outside of Australia, or
  • on the day the visa is granted if you are already in Australia.

Include family

Family members may be added to your application when you apply, or after you apply but before we determine whether to grant you a visa.
Your family members are eligible for this visa:

• • your spouse
  • your stepchild or dependent
  • the dependent child or stepchild of your partner
  • the dependent child or stepchild that you or your spouse have

Family members who apply for the visa with you have to fulfil our standards for morality and physical condition.
It may be necessary for family members who do not apply for the visa with you to fulfil the requirements as well.
If we granted someone a subclass 457 or subclass 482 visa because they are a member of your family, you may also include them.
Family members who apply for the visa with you have to fulfil our standards for morality and physical condition.
It may be necessary for family members who do not apply for the visa with you to fulfil the requirements as well.
Family members who apply for the visa with you have to fulfil our standards for morality and physical condition.
It may be necessary for family members who do not apply for the visa with you to fulfil the requirements as well.

Cost

The primary applicant must pay AUD 4,770.00 for the visa.
Every family member who applies for a visa with you will also be charged.

Second instalment

Any family members who are 18 years of age or older and who: apply for the visa with you and have less than Functional English proficiency will be required to pay an additional fee known as a second instalment.
If family members apply for a visa with you, the second instalment is AUD4,890.00.
After you have fulfilled all other visa requirements, we will send you an invoice if you need to pay the second instalment for a family member.

Additional expenses

It's possible that additional fees will apply for biometrics, police certificates, and health checks.
Use the Visa pricing estimator to find out how much your visa will cost. The estimator does not account for additional expenses or the second instalment.

Apply from

Whether you are in Australia or not, apply for this visa. You need to have either a relevant bridging visa (A, B, or C) or a substantive visa if you are in Australia.

In certain situations, you may still be able to submit an application in Australia even if your substantive visa has a no-stay requirement.

When a decision is made on the application, the applicant may be either within or outside of Australia.

Processing times

Applicants can use the visa processing time guide tool to estimate how long it may take to process their visa. This guide displays processing times for recently selected applications and is not specific to individual cases.
If an applicant fails to provide all required documents or additional information, processing times may be extended. Additional time may also be required to verify the information provided. Applications cannot be processed without the correct visa application fee, and if this occurs, the applicant will be notified, and the application may be returned if necessary.
Applications submitted with all necessary supporting documentation are typically processed more quickly.

Your obligations

The visa holder must abide by all Australian laws, as must their family members.

It is anticipated that the visa holder will spend at least two years working for the company that nominated them.
The visa holder consents to start working within six months of either arriving in Australia, if the visa was issued outside of it, or the date of visa grant, in the event that it was obtained while in Australia.

Travel

From the date this visa is granted, the holder may travel to and from Australia for up to 5 years. After this period, they will require a Resident Return (RRV) visa to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
If the visa holder departs Australia after the travel facility expires, without being granted another permanent visa with a valid travel facility, such as a Resident Return (RRV), they may not be able to return to Australia as a permanent resident.
To check when their travel condition expires, VEVO can be used.

Visa Label

The visa will be digitally linked to the passport, and a physical visa label will not be issued.
Upon visa grant, a grant notification letter containing the visa grant number will be sent. This number can be used to check visa details and conditions through VEVO.

NOTE: The charges outlined above are exclusive of ISEMS fees, which apply separately.

Have an eligible occupation

Your profession needs to be listed on the appropriate list of qualified professions.

Have relevant work experience

Most applicants must have at least three years of relevant work experience in their occupation, unless they are exempt.

The requirement of work experience is not applicable to applicants who are exempt from the skills assessment requirement.

Licensing, registration or membership

If working in a state or territory where licencing, registration, or membership in a professional body is required, you must have one of these.

Have a positive skills assessment

The majority of applicants must submit a skills assessment proving they are qualified for the position being nominated. Find out more about skill evaluations.

Be nominated
An Australian employer who is actively and legally operating their business must nominate the applicant.

After the nomination is accepted, the visa application needs to be submitted within six months.
If there is any negative information about the nominee or anyone connected to them that is known, a visa cannot be issued unless there is a good reason to ignore it.
There is a withdrawal of the nomination.
It appears that the position is now filled.
An existing visa application cannot be connected to a new nomination. Withdrawing the first visa application and submitting a new one pertaining to the new nomination is one option in such circumstances.

Depending on the situation, a refund of the visa application fee might be available.

Be this age

Typically, the applicant must be under 45 years of age at the time of application.
Exemptions to this criterion apply if the applicant:

• Is nominated by an Australian university as an academic (university lecturer or faculty head at Academic Level B, C, D, or E).
• Is nominated by an Australian scientific government agency as a scientist, researcher, or technical (scientific) specialist at ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2.
• Currently holds a Special Category (subclass 444) or New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (subclass 461) visa and has worked for the nominating employer in the nominated position for at least 2 of the past 3 years, excluding periods of unpaid leave.

Meet our health requirement

The applicant and any family members applying for the visa with them must meet the health requirement. Health information about family members not coming to Australia may be requested.

Meet our character requirement

The applicant must fulfil the character requirements, as must any family members applying for a visa who are at least 16 years old. It may also be necessary to request information regarding the character of family members who are not travelling with the applicant to Australia.

Sign the Australian values statement

If a person is eighteen years of age or older, they have to:

• Have read the Life in Australia booklet or had it explained to them, and
• Have signed an Australian Values Statement pledging to uphold Australian law and values.

Have this level of English language

At least competent English is required to be granted this stream of the visa.

Have paid back your debt to the Australian government

If the applicant owes money to the Australian Government, they must have either paid it back or have a formal arrangement in place to do so.

Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused

The applicant's immigration history will be taken into account when evaluating their application, so if they have previously had a visa denied or revoked, they might not be eligible for this one.

Even after having a visa revoked or having an application denied, a person may in some cases still apply for a permanent visa. For further details, see Limitations on applications in Australia.

If you're a foreign applicant seeking a visa, please consult Can I travel to Australia?

See Who can help with your visa application if you need assistance with the application.

NOTE: The charges outlined above are exclusive of ISEMS fees, which apply separately.

Before you apply
Before submitting your application, you may need to organize several items. These could involve completing a skills evaluation, taking an English language proficiency test, or undergoing a health assessment. Additionally, seeking assistance with your application might be beneficial.

Gather your documents
To verify your personal information, you might need to present papers that demonstrate your identity, character, abilities, professional background, health status, and proficiency in the English language.

Apply for the visa
You apply for this visa online.

After you apply
You will be informed about your application and accompanying documents. Please review the necessary steps you can and are required to take following your application submission.

Visa outcome
The decision on your visa application can be made whether you're inside or outside Australia. Before a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa is granted, your employer's nomination must be approved. You'll be informed in writing about the outcome, including visa details if approved, or reasons for refusal and potential review rights if denied. The application fee is non-refundable in case of refusal.

For a detailed, step-by-step guide to the application process, please contact ISEMS.

NOTE: The charges outlined above are exclusive of ISEMS fees, which apply separately.

Arriving in Australia

Before You Depart

Ensure you have the following:

• • A valid visa for entry into Australia
  • A valid passport or other acceptable travel document

At the Border

Upon arrival in Australia:

You must complete the Incoming Passenger Card , which will be provided to you onboard.
We offer an automated process using facial recognition technology and E-Passports through SmartGate. which may expedite your exit from the airport.

New Zealand passport holders

If an immigration officer processes clearance at the border, it is recommended that the individual inform them:

• They hold a permanent Australian visa
• They do not wish to obtain a Special Category visa (subclass 444)

Failure to provide this information may result in the issuance of the 444 visas, which will override the permanent visa and could impact eligibility for Australian citizenship.

In Australia

What you can do when you have this visa

This visa allows the holder to:

• Remain in Australia indefinitely
• Work and study in Australia
• Enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare
• Sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia
• Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
• Potentially become an Australian citizen if eligible

Newly arrived residents may need to wait before accessing certain Australian Government payments and benefits.

What you must do on this visa (your obligations)

The applicant must abide by all Australian laws, as must their family members.
The candidate consents to starting work within six months of:

• if the visa was issued outside of Australia, entering the country.
• the date of visa issuance if it was done so within Australia.

See how long you can stay

Permanent

Traveling on Your Visa

From the date the visa is granted, the holder can travel to and from Australia for up to 5 years.
\After this period, a Resident Return (RRV) visa will be required to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
If the holder leaves Australia after the travel facility expires, without being granted another permanent visa with a valid travel facility, such as a Resident Return (RRV), they will not be able to return to Australia as a permanent resident.

To check when the travel condition ends, VEVO can be used.

Proving you have a visa

To demonstrate possession of a visa and show its conditions, one should use VEVO.
To verify their presence in Australia, individuals should request their international movement records by completing Form 1359, Request for International Movement Records.

Working

When working in Australia, individuals are protected by Australian workplace law. They should review their workplace rights and entitlements.

Becoming an Australian citizen

After a certain period, an individual may become eligible for Australian citizenship. More information can be found about becoming a citizen.

For citizenship purposes, permanent residency begins on the following dates:

• The day the visa is granted, if the individual was in Australia.
• The day the individual enters Australia on this visa, if they were outside Australia when the visa was granted.

Leaving Australia

Before Departure

Ensure your travel documents are in order:

You must possess a valid passport or an acceptable travel document to depart Australia and return.

At the Border

Fast Exit Option

An automated process that utilizes facial recognition technology and your ePassport is available. Using SmartGate could expedite your exit from the airport.

After you leave​​

Claiming Your Superannuation (if leaving Australia permanently)

If you are leaving Australia with no plans to return, you may be eligible to claim your superannuation.

You likely have funds in a superannuation account if you:

• Are 18 years old or older
• Earned AUD 450 or more before tax in a month while working in Australia

Learn how to access your superannuation.

NOTE: The charges outlined above are exclusive of ISEMS fees, which apply separately.