Australia Subclass 186 Visa: Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa
The Australia Subclass 186 Visa, also known as the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa, is a permanent residency visa designed for skilled workers who have been nominated by an Australian employer. This visa allows skilled workers to live and work permanently in Australia, offering a fantastic opportunity for individuals who have the right skills and qualifications but need employer sponsorship to migrate.
This visa is available to workers who are sponsored by their employer in one of the following categories:
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream: For individuals who have worked with their sponsoring employer on a temporary visa (such as Subclass 457 or Subclass 482) for at least 3 years.
Direct Entry (DE) stream: For individuals who have never worked in Australia or who have worked for less than 3 years with their sponsoring employer.
Agreement stream: For individuals sponsored by an employer through a labor agreement.
Once granted, the Subclass 186 visa allows you to live, work, and study in Australia permanently, offering a pathway to citizenship after meeting the necessary residency requirements.
Benefits of the Subclass 186 Visa
Permanent Residency:
The Subclass 186 visa grants permanent residency in Australia, allowing you to live and work in the country indefinitely.
Family Members: You can include your family members, such as your partner and dependent children, in your application, allowing them to join you in Australia.
Pathway to Citizenship:
After living in Australia as a permanent resident for at least 4 years, you may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.
Work Rights:
As a permanent resident, you can work for your sponsoring employer or any other employer in any job across Australia.
Access to Healthcare:
You will have access to Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system, providing essential medical services.
Who Can Apply for the Subclass 186 Visa?
To apply for the Subclass 186 Visa, applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements, including occupation, skills, and employment criteria.
1. Nomination by an Approved Employer
To be eligible for the Subclass 186 visa, you must be nominated by an approved Australian employer. The employer must have a valid sponsorship approval and be willing to offer you full-time, ongoing employment in an eligible occupation.
2. Occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
Your occupation must be listed on one of Australia’s Skilled Occupation Lists, including the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). Occupations in demand, such as engineers, nurses, software developers, and trade professionals, are commonly included.
3. Skills and Experience
Depending on the stream you are applying under, you may need to meet certain skills and work experience requirements. Typically, you must demonstrate:
- A positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
- Relevant work experience (for Direct Entry stream applicants, this may be at least 3 years of work experience in your nominated occupation).
4. English Language Proficiency
You must show evidence of your English language skills through a recognized English language test, such as IELTS or PTE Academic. The required scores vary based on the visa stream and your occupation.
5. Age Requirement
You must be under the age of 45 when you apply for the Subclass 186 visa, unless you are exempt due to certain conditions, such as being a highly skilled worker in a specialized field.
6. Health and Character Requirements
As with most Australian visa applications, you and any included family members must meet health and character requirements. This involves undergoing a medical examination and providing police certificates.
Subclass 186 Visa Streams
The Subclass 186 visa has three distinct streams, and the application process and requirements may vary based on which stream you apply under:
1. Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream
- Eligibility: This stream is for applicants who have worked for at least 3 years with their employer on a temporary visa (such as the Subclass 457 or Subclass 482 visa)
- Requirements: You must have worked in your nominated occupation with your sponsor for the required period and meet the other eligibility criteria (e.g., skills, English language proficiency, etc.).
2. Direct Entry (DE) Stream
- Eligibility: This stream is for individuals who have never worked in Australia or who have worked for less than 3 years with their employer on a temporary visa.
- Requirements: You must have a skills assessment in your nominated occupation, meet the English language proficiency requirements, and fulfill other criteria for the visa
3. Agreement Stream
- Eligibility: This stream applies to individuals who are sponsored under a Labor Agreement between the employer and the Australian government.
- Requirements: You must be nominated under an approved Labor Agreement and meet the necessary skill and experience criteria.
The Application Process for the Subclass 186 Visa
The process for applying for the Subclass 186 Visa involves several steps:
Step 1: Employer Nomination
Step 2: Submit Your Visa Application: Evidence of your skills and work experience, Your English language test results, Health and character documentation and a Valid Passport.
Step 3: Visa Processing (6-12 months)
Step 4: Receive Your Visa
How to Improve Your Chances of Success
- Ensure Proper Documentation: Ensure that all required documents are accurate and up-to-date, including your skills assessment, English language test scores, and health checks.
- Work With Your Employer: Your employer must play an active role in the nomination process, so maintaining a strong relationship with them and ensuring their eligibility to nominate you is crucial.
- Choose the Right Stream: Depending on your work history and situation, make sure to apply through the correct stream that best suits your circumstances.
The Australia Subclass 186 Visa is a fantastic opportunity for skilled workers to gain permanent residency in Australia. If you have a sponsoring employer and meet the eligibility requirements, this visa offers you a pathway to a stable career, a high quality of life, and eventual Australian citizenship.
Start your journey towards permanent residency today with the Subclass 186 visa, and make your dream of living and working in Australia a reality!
Apply now for the Subclass 186 visa and secure your future in Australia!