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Imagine the thrill of pursuing a career in Australia. The country’s thriving economy, multicultural society, and high standard of living make it a top destination for skilled professionals worldwide. But where to start with the complex web of visas and immigration procedures? The Employer Nomination Scheme subclass 186 Visa. It allows employers to sponsor skilled workers to live and work in Australia - applicable to both temporary residents and those living outside Australia. The ENS 186 subclass visa scheme is designed for skilled workers, who are working as temporary residents, to apply for Permanent Residency In Australia.

What is the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS 186 Visa)?

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) 186 visa is an Australian permanent resident visa designed for skilled workers. It allows you to work and live in Australia indefinitely, offering a pathway to Australian citizenship. A 186 visa Australia relies on employer nomination, meaning you need an employer who recognizes your skill set as a valuable addition to the Australian workforce.

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa Streams

Employer Nomination Scheme visas, or ENS visa subclass 186, are Australia PR visas for skilled workers. subclass 186 visa consists of Temporary Residence Transition Stream, Direct Entry Stream and Agreement Stream.

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream

The Temporary Residence Transition stream is for those who are already in Australia on a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) or Temporary Work (Skilled) Subclass 457 visa. Applicants must have worked for their employer full-time for at least three years. It allows skilled workers to transition from temporary to permanent residency while continuing their employment with the nominating employer.

Those who applied for a 457 visa or a 482 visa before the changes announced on 18 April 2017 may still apply for Australia permanent residency through the TRT stream. Moreover, this PR application does not require skills assessment and a competent English level.

By the end of 2023, the TRT stream of the ENS subclass 186 visa will be available to TSS visa holders as well. The eligibility period for the TRT stream will be reduced from three years to two years of employment with the sponsoring employer. Other nomination and visa requirements for the TRT stream will still apply.

Direct Entry Stream

The Data Entry stream is designed for those who are untested in the Australian labour market and are applying from outside Australia. This allows qualified temporary residents, who do not qualify for the TRT stream, to apply for a 186 visa Australia. An Australian employer must nominate you to apply for an Employer Nomination Scheme visa through the direct entry stream. It requires you to submit an English language proficiency test score.

Agreement Stream

The Agreement stream is for those an employer has sponsored through a labour or regional migration agreement. It caters to workers with unique skills that may not fit into the traditional classifications of the other streams.

Eligibility and Requirements for ENS 186 Visa

You can apply for the 186 permanent visas if you have an Australian employer to sponsor you to work in Australia. Besides, you must meet a few requirements for the application for Employer Nomination Scheme Visa Subclass 186.

Age Requirements & Exemptions

The ENS visa 186 age limit for skilled workers is 45. However, there might be certain conditions due to which a worker exceeding the age limit can participate or apply for a 186 visa.

Skill Requirements & Exemptions

• You are only eligible for an ENS 186 visa if your occupation is in the 186 Visa Occupations List (ANZSCO code list).
• You must have at least 3 years of work experience in a relevant field.
• You must have taken an English proficiency test (IELTS/TOEFL/OET). Exception for those applying through the TRT Stream.

Education Requirements & Exemptions

• All the academic certificates and transcripts are necessary.
• Professional registration or licence certificate, if any.
• Your resume or CV should showcase all your educational history, including dates and positions held within the last ten years.

Skills Assessment Requirement

One of the key requirements for the 186 Visa (Employer Nomination Scheme) is that applicants must have their skills assessed by a relevant assessing authority.

For instance, if you are an aspiring engineer looking to migrate to Australia, the relevant assessing authority for your profession is Engineers Australia. Obtaining a positive skills assessment from Engineers Australia is crucial to be eligible for applying for skilled migration to Australia through the ENS Subclass 186 Visa. It validates your expertise and suitability for the nominated occupation and significantly enhances your chances of securing an employer sponsorship by strengthening your overall application. This process is challenging, so you can contact CDR Writer Australia for assistance.

For engineers, It is important to note that NER registration is separate from the skills assessment process. While both processes are related to professional engineering qualifications, they serve different purposes and have different requirements.

The skills assessment serves as evidence of your competence and suitability for your nominated occupation in Australia, whereas NER registration is an additional step that showcases their professional standing within the engineering industry. While having NER registration can enhance your overall professional profile, it is not a mandatory requirement for employer nomination or for the ENS 186 visa.

Note: You must submit your Employer Nominated Scheme visa application within 6 months of your nomination. Else, there might be chances of rejection of the application. However, if you submit your nomination and visa applications together, this time limit does not apply.

Employer Nomination Scheme 186 Visa Document Checklist

For your selection in the Employer Nomination scheme subclass visa 186, you must provide certain documents to prove your profession and show that you have all the qualities needed to fulfil the eligibility criteria. Applicants must have the following documents to apply for the visa 186 subclass.

1. Passport-size photographs.
2. Identity documents, including a passport, birth certificate, and proof of name change, such as a marriage or divorce certificate.
3. If an individual is married, divorced, or widowed, legal documents such as marriage certificates, divorce documents, death certificates, or any other declarations must be provided.
4. Overseas police certificates and any records such as military service records and places where you spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16.
5. Your employer must request permission to include your dependents under their sponsorship responsibilities.

Note: ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE COLOUR PDF FILES.

Employer Nominated Scheme Visa stages

The application for an Employer Nomination Scheme 186 Subclass visa involves a two-step process, each critical to secure your permanent residency in Australia.

Stage 1: Employer to make nomination application

Before you can apply for a subclass visa 186, your Australian employer must nominate you for a position in their business. They must demonstrate that they genuinely need a paid employee to fill the position. The position must provide the equivalent terms and conditions of employment to the overseas worker. The employer's nomination application will assess the legitimacy of the need for an overseas employee and confirm the availability of the position for the next two years. The contract of employment must be in accordance with Fair Work Australia.

Stage 2: Applicants to be eligible for 186 Visa

Once your employer's nomination has been approved, you can proceed with the visa application. You must demonstrate that you meet the criteria specific to the visa stream under which you're applying. This typically involves proving that you have the required skills for the job, meet health and character requirements, and satisfy the necessary English language requirements.

Application Fee & 186 Visa Processing Times

While applying for the Employer Nomination Scheme visa, applicants are required to pay the visa application charge. The Employer Nominated Scheme 186 subclass visa application cost is AUD $4240 and it is often paid at the time of Visa lodgement. Certain positions or applicants might require an initial visa application and a second instalment payment.

The processing time for a 186 subclass visa depends on the priorities of the Australian Department of Home Affairs and whether or not you have lodged a decision-ready subclass 186 visa application, and several other factors, such as the time you take for your health examinations.

The processing time for ENS visa 186 Australia also depends on the stream you choose for your Australia PR application. The duration for the visa 186 application process generally ranges from 4 months to 14 months.

Note When your Employer Nomination Scheme Visa Subclass 186 is granted, you can travel from and to Australia for up to 5 years. But after this 5 year period, you will need a Resident Return Visa to re-enter as a permanent resident.

ENS Visa 186 Rejection & Travel Conditions

Starting from July 1, 2023, the income requirement for skilled migrants has increased from $53,900 to $70,000. New applicants must meet this higher income threshold to be eligible for certain visas.

If you have yet to submit visa applications within 6 months of your nomination being approved, there might be chances of rejection of the visa 186 application, whereas if you have submitted both nominations and visa application together, then this time limit won’t apply. Additionally, the government wants to make it easier for temporary skilled visa holders to become permanent residents. By the end of 2023, all temporary skilled visa holders will have the opportunity to apply for permanent residency after working for two years instead of the previous requirement of three years. This change opens more pathways for Skilled Migration Visa workers in Australia.

The government will remove the limits on the number of visa applications that can be made within Australia. This will benefit those who are already in the country and wish to extend their stay or apply for a different visa. These changes are aimed at making the immigration system fairer and providing more options for skilled workers to settle in Australia permanently.

ENS Visa Subclass 186 Entitlements

Employer Nomination scheme visa allows you to work in Australia and eventually apply for citizenship. It transition pathway gives you various other privileges such as:

• Australia permanent residency (PR in Australia).
• Unrestricted work rights in Australia.
• Access to all the training opportunities Australian institutions offer. It means there is no barrier to education.
• You can travel to and from Australia for five years from the date your visa is granted.
• After holding a ENS visa 186, you can sponsor your family members to stay with you in Australia.
• You can access other social benefits, including Australia's national healthcare scheme.

Conclusion

The Employer Nomination Scheme subclass 186 visa provides awe-inspiring opportunities for skilled workers for Australian permanent residency through employer sponsorship. It allows you to live and work in Australia. Navigating the path to the ENS 186 subclass visa may seem daunting, but with careful preparation and professional help, it can be manageable. CDR Writer Australia assists skilled workers, specifically overseas engineers, in the Australian migration process. We offer CDR Report Writing Services to help engineers in their EA skill assessments for skilled migration to Australia.