How to be granted subclass 186 visa in 2025?

What is a subclass 186 visa?

The Employer Nomination Scheme visa – Subclass 186 allows skilled workers sponsored by their employer to gain permanent residency in Australia, offering the opportunity to live and work permanently in the country.

Subclass 186 visa streams

A Subclass 186 visa has 3 different streams as follows:

• Direct Entry stream: This stream is suitable for applicants who has competent English skills and 3 years of work experience in their occupation. With this stream, eligible applicants can apply directly for Australia permanent residence.
• Labour Agreement stream: This stream is for workers employed by an employer who has a Labour Agreement with the Australian Government.

Temporary Residence Transition stream: This stream is for individuals currently in Australia on a Subclass 457 or Subclass 482 visa. To be eligible, applicants must have spent a minimum of 3 years working in the same occupation for their current employer.

The benefits of subclass 186 visa

With this visa, applicants can enjoy 5 of these amazing benefits.

The 186 visa holders will be entitled to the following benefits regardless of any visa 186 stream they apply for:

• Residency: Live in Australia permanently.
• Health care: Access to Medicare – Australia’s public health care scheme.
• Work and study: To work and study in Australia without limits.
• Multiple entries: Travel to and from Australia for 5 years. After 5 years, you need to apply for a Resident Return visa (RRV).
• Family member: Allow your eligible family members to come to Australia with you.
• Citizenship: Apply for Australian citizenship when meeting the requirements.

 When granted the Subclass 186 visa, you attain Australian permanent residency status, subject to fulfilling the visa’s conditions.

The requirements of subclass 186 visa

When applying for any stream of the Subclass 186 visa, you must meet the following requirements:

General requirements

• Under 45 years of age at the time of making visa application.
• Must be sponsored by an eligible Australian employer.
• Must achieve a competent English level (Ielts 6.0).
• Must meet the health and character requirements.
• No criminal record.
• No debt to the Australian government.

Specific requirements

Direct Entry stream

• The occupation must be listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
• Have at least 3 years of working experience.
• Like subclass 189 visa or subclass 190 visa, the applicants must pass a skills assessment.

Labour Agreement stream

• The occupation may not be listed on the MLTSSL, but must be approved by the Australian Government.
• Have at least 3 years of working experience.
• Pass a skills assessment (if required).

Temporary Residence Transition stream:

• Occupation requirements: On the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the same as the holding Subclass 482 visa.
• Has the same occupation requirements as the Subclass 482 visa.
• Work experience: During 3 years of holding visa 482, the applicants must work full-time in the same occupation for the employer sponsor.
• Pass the skills assessment (if required).

Each stream of the Subclass 186 visa has specific requirements, so it’s important to carefully verify if you meet them all.

Step-by-step of a subclass 186 visa application

The process of applying for a Subclass 186 visa (Employer Nomination Scheme visa) involves the following steps:

• Step 1: Checks whether the employer meets the 186 visa requirements to be able to sponsor the applicant.
• Step 2: The employer submits a nomination for the applicant.
• Step 3: The applicant prepares the documents and submits the application.
• Step 4: The applicant provides additional documents (if required).
• Step 5: The applicant receives a Subclass 186 visa.

Being registered for practice (MARN: 1577877), experienced and also a member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA: 12648), Mr. Peter Cao always ensures your visa application is legal and well-treated.

Processing times of a subclass 186 visa

According to the latest update of the DHA, Subclass 186 visa application will be processed in the following time:

Preparing your Skilled visa application thoroughly can significantly affect the processing time of your visa. Submitting a ‘decision-ready’ visa application can expedite the visa grant process.

Required documents for subclass 186 visa application

Subclass 186 visa applicants are encouraged to prepare and submit the application accurately from the outset. Required documents of 186 visa application include:

To avoid any disadvantages to your 186 visa application, it’s best to have assistance by a professional expert.

The cost of a subclass 186 visa

The subclass 186 visa fee is 4,770 AUD for the main applicant. For the additional applicants over 18 years old, the fee is 2,385 AUD, and for additional applicants under 18 years old, the 186 visa cost is 1,190 AUD.

Responsibilities of the subclass 186 visa holders

After being granted visa 186, the visa holders must take the following responsibilities:

• Comply with Australian laws.
• Begin the employment within 6 months of:
  • Entering Australia (if you’re outside Australia when being granted the visa)
  • Being granted the visa (if you’re in Australia)
• Work for the sponsor employer for at least 2 years.

Registered for practice (MARN: 1577877) and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA: 12648), Mr. Peter Cao brings extensive experience to ensure your visa application is handled with legality and care.

By: Peter Phong D Cao – Registered migration agent

(MARN: 1577877, MIA: 12648)

Frequently asked questions

Find out more about other Australian visa:

• Newest information about Australian Skilled Migration Visas (Regional Visas)
• How do the new Australian migration policies affect you?
• Subclass 494 visa – an important step for Permanent Skilled visa