RSMS 187 Visa – Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa (Subclass 187)
The RSMS 187 Visa is for qualified foreign workers with an Australian business nominated in a regional or low-population-growth area. The RSMS 187 Visa previously had two different streams: Direct Entry and Temporary Resident Transition. Since November 2019, the Direct Entry stream of subclass 187 has been replaced by the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) Visa. You are still able to apply for the Temporary Resident Transition stream of subclass 187 Visa.
RSMS 187 Visa November 2019 Update
RSMS 187 Visa previously had 2 streams: direct entry stream and temporary residence transition stream.
As of 16 November 2019, the Department of Home Affairs has closed the direct entry stream and officially replaced it with the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa subclass 494.
RSMS 187 Visa Overview
RSMS 187 Visa allows you to
Once you are granted the RSMS 187 visa, you will lawfully become an Australian Permanent Resident, and you can:
- Stay in Australia indefinitely;
- Work and study in Australia;
- Enrol for Medicare in Australia;
- Travel to and from Australia for 5 years;
- Might apply for citizenship if meeting the eligibility.
Including Your Family Members to RSMS 187 Visa
You can include your family members (partner and dependent child) in your 187 Visa application. Your family members must meet the health and character requirements. There will be an additional charge for each family member joining you.
If you have been granted the RSMS 187 Visa, you may consider one of these child visas or partner visas to bring your family members to Australia.
RSMS 187 Visa Application Process
The RSMS 187 Visa consists of two application stages: the nomination and visa application. The nomination process assesses the employer, while the visa application assesses the applicant.
RSMS 187 Visa Length of Stay
The RSMS 187 Visa is a permanent visa, so it is valid indefinitely. Subclass 187 has a travel facility of 5 years from the date of the visa grant. To extend your travel facility, you must apply for a Resident Return Visa (subclass 155/157), or else you may apply for Australian Citizenship. You can contact us to discuss which one is best for you.
RSMS Visa 187 Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the RSMS subclass 187 Visa, you must meet the following requirements:
Work Experience Requirements
You must have held a 457 Visa or 482 TSS Visa and worked for your employer for a minimum of two or three years.
English Requirements
You must have at least Competent English. You must provide the evidence of English requirement by the time of application. The test cannot be completed more than three years prior to the application date.
If you have completed at least five years of full-time study at a secondary or postsecondary educational institution where all instruction was given in English, you are exempt from the English requirement.
Age Requirements
You must be under 45 when applying for the RSMS 187 Visa. You may be exempted from the age requirement if one of the following:
- A university in Australia has nominated you as an academic (a lecturer or faculty head at Academic Level A, B, C, D, or E).
- An Australian university or scientific government body has nominated you for ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2 as a scientist, researcher, or technical specialist.
- You are nominated as a medical practitioner and have worked in the field for at least two years as a subclass 457 or 482 visa holder in a selected regional area of Australia in the three years prior to your application. The position that has been nominated is located in a specific Australian regional area.
- You must have held a subclass 457 or 482 visa and worked in the designated occupation for the nominating employer for at least two of the three years that ended right before you applied, with each year’s earnings having to meet the Fair Work High Income Threshold.
Health & Character Requirements
You must meet the specified health and character requirements for the RSMS 187 Visa.
Nomination Requirements
You must be nominated by an Australian employer and apply for the 187 visa within six months of the nomination being approved (if the visa and nomination applications were not lodged concurrently).
Should the nomination be withdrawn, the visa will not be issued. The Department doesn’t connect recently submitted nominations to previously submitted visa applications.
Employer Requirements
As the employer, they should meet some criteria as per below:
- Must be an eligible business, including pay the SAF Levy;
- Must be the applicant’s most recent approved sponsor.
- You run a business in regional Australia in an active and legal manner.
- In order to fill a skilled position, you genuinely need a paid employee. You offer the applicant a full-time, ongoing skilled position in their profession that will last for at least two years. You pay a market compensation rate.
- You abide by Australian immigration and workplace relations rules, and no negative information about you, your company, or any of its affiliates is known.
RSMS Visa 187 Cost
The cost for RSMS subclass 187 Visa is as follows:
- AUD 4,770 for the main applicant
- AUD 2,385 for additional applicants (18 above)
- AUD 1,190 for additional applicants (below 18)
The above fee is as of July 2024. Please note that the visa fee might increase in July every year.
How to Include Your Family Member
You can include your family member unit to your RSMS 187 Visa. Family member unit are:
- Dependent children/step-children
- Partner’s dependent child or children
- Partner (spouse/de facto)
Partner
You and your de facto or married partner may be of the same or different sexes. Your partner, as the additional applicant, must demonstrate that:
- the relationship is sincere and ongoing.
- you either live together permanently or do not live apart.
- unless there are some restrictions, your spouse must be at least 18 years old when the application is submitted.
- if you are in a de facto relationship, you are not connected by blood.
- you and your spouse are committed to living together.
Children
In order for a child to be added to or included in your 187 visa, they must meet certain requirements:
- they must be your child or stepchild from a current or past relationship.
- they must not be married, engaged to marry, or have a de facto partner.
- they must be under the age of 18, over the age of 18, and dependent on you or your partner, or over the age of 23 and unable to earn a living due to physical or cognitive limitations (Note: The child will still need to meet Australia’s health requirement).
English
Those over eighteen must show that they have at least functional English. If a family member speaks less than functional English, you have the option to pay an extra application fee to the department.
Health and Character
Every family member needs to be in good health and possess good morals. Police clearances are required for all applicants older than 16.
What is the difference between a 186 and a 187 Visa?
The 187 Visa requires the holders to live and work in an Australian-designated regional area for two years. Meanwhile, the 186 Visa does not have geographical restriction, meaning the 186 visa holders can live and work in any area in Australia.
187 Visa Australia Frequently Asked Questions
ONEderland Consulting managing director and also registered migration agent, Indah Melindasari, B.Com (MARN 0961 448), is here to answer your 187 Visa Australia questions!
- What is RSMS 187 Visa?
- The RSMS 187 Visa is a permanent visa that permits skilled workers to live and work permanently in an Australian regional area while being nominated by an Australian business.
- Is subclass 187 still available?
- Subclass 187 is still available, but only for holders of the 457 Visa or 482 TSS Visa. It acts as a permanent resident pathway for these visas.
- How long does a 187 visa take?
- The current processing time for subclass 187 is between 11 to 19 months.
- What is the age limit for 187 Visa in Australia?
- The age limit is 45 years old. However, an age exemption is available for certain applicants.
- Does 187 Visa need skill assessment?
- Yes. The Australian Department of Home Affairs may ask you to provide a Skills Assessment with a positive result. The Skills Assessment is to show that you have the required skills and qualifications to perform your nominated occupation.
- Can I leave my employer on a 187 Visa?
- With a 187 visa, your work rights are unrestricted. But if you quit your job within two years of being approved, the Department could investigate you and possibly revoke your visa.
- Can I apply for citizenship after getting a 187 Visa?
- You may apply for Australian citizenship after getting the 187 Visa. However, you must ensure that you have met the requirements, including the residency requirements for Australian citizenship application.
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