Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme 187 Visa

@markusspiske

@markusspiske

Similar to the ENS 186 visa program, the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) 187 visa provides the opportunity for skilled workers who are nominated by an employer to permanently live and work in a regional area of Australia.

For the business, they are able to fill their skill shortage with a relevant qualified and experienced employee that can’t be found locally. For the employee and visa applicant, securing Australian permanent residence (PR) gives them added comfort and a sense of belonging.

As of 16 November 2019, only the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream is available in the RSMS program. Further, it is only open to certain transitional applicants:

  • Transitional TSS 482 Worker: RSMS applicants must have been, as of 20 March 2019:

    • The holder of, or waiting for an outcome (that was subsequently successful) on, their TSS 482 visa, and

    • That TSS 482 visa was that was lodged in the medium-stream. That is, nominated in an MLTSSL occupation; or

  • Transitional 457 Worker: RSMS applicants must have been the holder of a 457 visa at anytime from 18 April 2019 onwards

187 General Requirements

There are two stages to the RSMS in the TRT stream:

  • Employer Nomination Application: This is where the employer will show:

    • Their operations

    • Company financials

    • Their genuine need for the nominated skilled worker

    • The job offer is available for at least 2 years

  • Employee Visa (PR) Application: The PR applicant will be required to demonstrate that they:

    • Are under 45 years of age unless exempt

    • Have been working with the nominating employer while holding a 457 visa or TSS 482 visa for at least 3 years. If covered by grandfathering provisions, the applicants only need to have worked for the nominating employer for at least 2 years out of the last 3 years. Grandfathered applicants are those who, as of 18 April 2017, either held or had a pending 457 visa application that was subsequently approved as a 457 visa or TSS 482 visa.

    • Have Competent English, unless they have a passport from the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada or NZ

Regionals Areas for the RSMS 187 Visa

To qualify as being regional, the area postcode must be specified by the Department of Home Affairs. Currently, for the purpose of the RSMS 187 visa these include:

  • New South Wales - all areas except Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and postcodes 2250 to 2251, Central Coast 2256 to 2263, 2311 to 2312, 2328 to 2411, 2415, 2420 to 2490, 2536 to 2551, 2575 to 2594, 2618 to 2739, and 2787 to 2898

  • Victoria - all areas excluding Melbourne and postcodes 3211 to 3334, 3340 to 3424, 3430 to 3649, 3658 to 3749, 3753, 3756, 3758, 3762, 3764, 3778 to 3781, 3783, 3797, 3799, 3816 to 3909, 3921 to 3925. 3945 to 3974, 3979, and 3981 to 3996

  • Queensland - except the greater Brisbane area, Gold Coast and postcodes 4124 to 4125, 4133, 4211, 4270 to 4272, 4275, 4280, 4285, 4287, 4307 to 4499, 4515, 4517 to 4519, and 4522 to 4899

  • All of ACT

  • All of South Australia

  • All of Tasmania

  • Western Australia - all areas excluding Perth and postcodes 6041 to 6044, 6083 to 6084, 6121 to 6126, and 6200 to 6799

  • All of Northern Territory

  • All of Norfolk Island

To find out if you can qualify for the RSMS 187 visa under the transitional arrangements, contact us now.