Australian Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (Subclass 187)

The Regional sponsored migration scheme, subclass 187, is an employer-sponsored PR Pathway designed by the Australia Immigration. The Department of Home Affairs structured this pathway to welcome skilled professionals around the world to live and work in regional Australia. And also, the Australian employers of the regional areas can sponsor the skilled workers to meet the demand. Applicants who are researching an employer-sponsored migration pathway or are eligible under the transitional arrangements can apply for this Subclass 187 visa.

Croyez Immigration stands as the best immigration consultant with more than 10+ years of experience in guiding people who aim for an overseas lifestyle. We are backed by a team of professionals to help the Australian applicants explore and apply for the best pathways for Australian permanent residency.

What is the Subclass 187 Visa?

The Australian Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme subclass 187 is the pathway to permanent residency that welcomes skilled professionals supported by an Australian employer from regional areas. The skilled workers can work and live in Australia permanently through this pathway.

Let's look into the main objectives of this visa:

• This Subclass is designed to fill the demand and skill shortage in regional Australia
• This would also give international exposure to regional areas rather than metropolitan cities
• This can benefit the workers and lead to the development of regional communities

Along with these benefits, this subclass stands as the pathway which allows direct permanent residency for immigrants.

Subclass 187 Visa status

It is crucial to understand that only the transitional applicants are eligible to apply now with fewer requirements. The subclass 187 is closed for now, and applicants apply through new regional migration pathways, such as:

• Subclass 494 - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional
• Subclass 191 - Permanent Residence
• Subclass 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa

At present, applicants who wish to apply through subclass 187 can apply through these updated visa categories.

Streams Under Subclass 187 Visa

The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme subclass 187 had three main application streams during its existence. Let's see the breakdown of the stream.

Direct Entry Stream

Applicants who are either working from outside Australia or who are not currently working long-term with sponsoring employers.

Requirements:

• Applicants below the age of 45 can comfortably apply
• The applicant must work under an occupation that is listed on the relevant skilled occupation list.
• They must be nominated by an approved regional employer
• They must hold a minimum of 3 years of work experience
• They must have a positive skills assessment and a good language score

Temporary Residence Transition Stream

Applicants who are already working in Australia under the employer-sponsored visas can apply through this stream. Applicants who hold a Subclass 457 or Subclass 482 visa can apply.

Requirements:

• The applicant must have worked under the same employer for at least 3 years
• The applicant must have an employer nomination for permanent residence
• They must meet language requirements and be aged below 45 (exemptions are also applicable)

Agreement Stream

These applicants are eligible to apply if they are sponsored under a labour agreement between an employer and the Australian Government.

Requirements:

• The applicant must meet the terms and conditions under the labour agreement
• The applicant’s salary and occupation must be clearly defined in the contract
• They must have language skills and other conditions fulfilled as per the agreement

The Subclass 187 under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme is closed now and has been replaced by other pathways as discussed earlier. Though the present subclass has some similarities, it is important to discuss the key differences.

• Subclass 494 is a Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional Visa, and a temporary one. This subclass demands that the applicant work in Australia before becoming eligible for permanent residency.
• Subclass 191, the Permanent Residence Skilled Regional Visa, provides PR status if the applicant meets the work and income requirements.
• Subclass 186, which is an Employer Nomination Scheme visa, allows direct permanent residency when having an employer sponsorship.
• Contact our team to know more about the Australia Skilled Regional Visa Subclass 489.

Eligibility Criteria for Subclass

Though the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme subclass 187 is not open for application now, the eligibility criteria remain relevant for similar pathways.

Employer Nomination

Applicant must be nominated by an Australian employer from a regional area in Australia.

Occupation Requirement

Applicant’s qualification and experience must match the nominated occupation.

Skills and Qualifications

Applicant must uphold proper educational qualifications and skills assessment

Work Experience

The applicant must have a minimum of three years of work experience

Age Requirement

Applicants should be under the age of 45 to apply for the subclass, and age exemptions are also available under certain criteria.

English Language Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate their language skills by getting a score of at least 6 in each band or equivalent.

Health and Character Requirements

• Medical examinations
• Police clearance certificates

Let's know about Employer Requirements

The employers who are sponsoring the applicants also have criteria to be eligible:

• The employer must operate a lawful business in regional Australia
• The employer must demonstrate the need to hire for the position
• The employer must offer a full-time role to the skilled professional for a minimum of 2 years
• The employer must provide a salary to match the Australian market standards
• The employer must comply with employment and workplace standards

Benefits of Alternatives Regional Visa Pathways

Since the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa (Subclass 187) is not taking any applications presently, let's discuss the alternative pathways and their benefits.

Subclass 494 Visa

This subclass is a Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional visa that allows skilled professionals to apply to work in regional areas of Australia.

Regional Employment Opportunities

The holder can work in designated regional areas They can gain work experience from the sponsored employer They can easily get access to industries facing demand

Long-Term Visa Validity

The visa validity period is 5 years Professionals can work and live in Australia during the period

Pathway to Permanent Residency

After fulfilling the needed requirements, such as regional work and income, eligible applicants can apply for permanent residency through Subclass 191

Family Inclusion

Family members can also apply for study and work in Australia. The visa holder’s spouse and children can be included in the visa application.

Access to Public Services

A holder can get access to medical benefits after getting a PR

Processing Time for Alternative Regional Visas

Subclass 494 Processing Time

The Subclass 494 processing time may vary based on application volume and the demand for the occupation in the region. Further, the time may also vary based on employer nomination approval, individual profile and documentation analysis.

The general processing time may range from several months to a year.

Subclass 191 Processing Time

The processing time for the Subclass 191 varies based on an individual's profile and regional residence eligibility. The processing time may also be prolonged with income and work requirement verification. Health and character assessments will also be done.

Why Were New Regional Visa Pathways Introduced?

These alternative pathways were introduced by the Australian Government to develop and strengthen the regional work demand. The crucial idea is to close the demand gap in the labour market in regional Australia and to provide long-term settlement for professionals through PR. This led to the introduction of subclasses such as Subclass 494 and Subclass 191.

• Subclass 494 - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa
• Subclass 191 - Permanent Residence Visa
• Subclass 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme visa

Important Points to Consider

Regional Work Commitment

Applicants under the Subclass 494 must live in their designated regional areas and work under approved sponsoring employers. They must fulfil the requirements, such as income and residency, while applying for PR.

Compliance Requirements

Both applicants and Australian employers must adhere to the workplace laws and sponsorship rules. The applicant must maintain the right visa conditions throughout the stay in Australia.