Australia’s Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme Subclass 187 for Temporary Residence Transition Stream

The Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme subclass 187 offers a pathway to permanent residency in Australia through employer sponsorship in regional areas. This visa is processed under the “Temporary Residence Transition” stream.

Please note the immigration department has closed the Direct Entry stream.

Benefits of RSMS Temporary Residence Transition Stream

Through this PR stream, living in Australia becomes more than a temporary experience and it gives you the following benefits:

Permanent Stay

This visa provides indefinite residency, offering stability and security to your family. Please note that Australian visas are digital and are not labeled on your passport.

Work and Study

Holders are permitted to work and encouraged to pursue educational opportunities.

Healthcare Access

It gives access to Australia’s comprehensive healthcare system, and Medicare, and ensures well-being.

Family Sponsorship

Families can stay together, with provisions for sponsoring eligible relatives.

Travel Privileges

Travel to and from Australia for up to 5 years is facilitated, fostering global connections.

Path to Citizenship

Meeting certain criteria opens avenues for Australian citizenship, marking a deeper integration into Australian society.

Eligibility Criteria

The following requirements must be met to apply for the Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme through the Temporary Residence Transition stream (subclass 187):

• An approved Australian employer nominates you for a job in regional Australia. The job must be from this list;
• You are under 45 years of age;
• You meet the skills, qualifications, and English language requirements; and
• You are a transitional subclass 457 or subclass 482 worker.

Explanation

Occupational Suitability	Applicants must ensure their occupation is listed on the relevant skilled occupations list
Work Experience	Some occupations necessitate a positive skills assessment, verifying competence. So positive skills assessment is mandatory.
Skills Assessment	An Australian employer’s nomination is a pivotal step, underscoring the importance of employer sponsorship. The employer should nominate you under the Temporary Residence Transition Stream. Once you get the nomination, you should apply for a visa within 6 months.
Licensing or Registration	Compliance with state or territory regulations is essential for certain occupations.
Nomination	An Australian employer’s nomination is a pivotal step, underscoring the importance of employer sponsorship. The employer should nominate you under the Temporary Residence Transition Stream. Once you get the nomination, you should apply for a visa within 6 months.

English proficiency requirements

The English language proficiency should be proven at the competent level required for this visa. This level addresses the requirements as follows:

Test	Score​​​
IELTS	​Overall 6 and 6 each in four components.
​​TOEFL iBT tests that were completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024	At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing, and 18 for speaking
PTE Academic	At least 50 for each of the 4 components
Occupational English Test	At least B for each of the 4 components
​Cambridge C1 Advanced test. From 12 February 2024, only results from the paper-based Cambridge C1 Advanced test will be accepted.	At least 169 in each of the 4 components

Exemption of English Language Test

If you are a citizen of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland and hold a valid passport of these countries, you do not need to present the above-mentioned English test with your visa application.

Furthermore, if you have studied full-time in a secondary or higher secondary school for 5 years in Australia, you also do not need to prove your English language proficiency at the competent level.

Applying for RSMS if you are above 45 years of age

It is also in some cases possible to apply for the RSMS through the transition stream even if you are above 45 years of age. These situtaions are:

• nomination by an Australian scientific government agency or Australian university as a scientist, researcher, or technical specialist at ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2;
• nomination as a university lecturer or faculty head at Academic Level A, B, C, D, or E by a university in Australia;
• nomination as a medical practitioner and in the 3 years immediately before you apply have worked in the occupation in a designated regional area of Australia for at least 2 years as a subclass 457 or 482 visa holder. The work position is in a designated regional area of Australia.

Cost of RSMS Temporary Residence Transition subclass 187

The main applicant pays for the fee in the first installment for him and any dependents at the time of application submission. The second installment is paid for additional family members having English proficiency at less than functional level. The second installment is to be paid when asked by the immigration department. Following is the fee table:

Category	Cost*	Installment type
Main Applicant	AUD 4,115	1st
Dependents above 18	AUD 2,060	1st
Dependents under 18	AUD 1,030	1st
Main Applicant	AUD 9,800	2nd
Additional Family Member (per person)	AUD 4,890	2nd

How long does a Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme 187 visa take to process?

If you have correctly submitted all your visa documents and the information provided is correct and does not require extra verifications, the processing times for his visa could be up to 12 to 19 months. According to the Australian immigration website, 50% of the applications are processed in 12 months provided that all the requirements are met precisely.

Application Process – Step by Step

Step 1 – Before You Apply

Before applying for the Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187) visa, completing the following essential tasks are mandatory:

• Skills Assessment: Obtain a skills assessment from the relevant authority if required for your occupation.
• English Language Proficiency: Demonstrate English language proficiency through tests like IELTS or PTE Academic.
• Health Examinations: Undergo health examinations to meet Australia’s health requirements.
• Nomination Application: Your employer must nominate you for the visa and submit a nomination application with supporting documents.

Step 2 – Gather Your Documents

Get all the paperwork you’ll need for your visa application:

• Identity Documents: Provide certified copies of your passport, birth certificate, and other identity documents.
• Skills and Qualifications: Submit evidence of your skills, qualifications, and work experience.
• Character Documents: Obtain police clearance certificates and other character documents as required.
• Health Documents: Complete health examinations as instructed by the Department of Home Affairs.
• Financial Documents: Provide evidence of financial capacity to support yourself and your family.

Step 3 – Apply for the Visa

Lodge your visa application online and pay the visa application charge:

• Online Application: Submit your application through the Department of Home Affairs’ ImmiAccount portal.
• Visa Application Charge: Pay the required visa application charge based on the visa subclass.
• Health Insurance: Arrange Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) or appropriate health insurance.

Step 4 – After You Apply

While awaiting a decision, follow these steps:

• Biometrics and Additional Information: Attend biometric collection appointments and provide any requested information.
• Visa Status Updates: Monitor your application’s progress through your ImmiAccount.
• Legal Compliance: Comply with Australian laws and regulations.

Step 5 – Visa Outcome (positive or negative decisions)

When your visa application is approved or denied:

• Visa approval: Review the visa grant notification for details of your visa subclass, conditions, and validity period.
• Visa refusal: If refused, receive reasons for refusal and information on appeal rights.
• Travel and arrival: Plan your travel to Australia, complete the Incoming Passenger Card upon arrival, and proceed through immigration and customs clearance.

Step 6 – Reach Australia

There are many tasks still to be done once you have your visa application approved and reached Australia. Before you leave for Australia, ensure you have a valid visa to enter Australia and a valid passport or travel document. Complete an Incoming Passenger Card upon arrival in Australia. Use SmartGate for faster airport departure if eligible.

When you are in Australia, the next steps

Your Obligations

You must obey all Australian laws and work for your nominating employer in regional Australia for at least 2 years. Begin employment within 6 months of entering Australia or visa grant date.

Traveling on Your Visa

Travel to and from Australia for up to 5 years. After 5 years, obtain a Resident Return (RRV) visa for re-entry as a permanent resident. Use VEVO to check travel conditions and request international movement records.

Working

You can work and study in Australia on Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme Subclass 187. You are protected by Australian workplace laws and learn about workplace rights and entitlements.

Bringing Family

You can sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia as a permanent resident. The family members include your:

• partner,
• dependent child or stepchild,
• partner’s dependent child or stepchild, and
• the dependent child or stepchild of your or your partner’s dependent child or stepchild.

Becoming an Australian Citizen

You could become able to acquire Australian citizenship after a specific period. Permanent residency starts on the day the visa is granted or enters Australia. The basic requirements of Australian citizenship are:

• You have a permanent resident visa or an SCV for the last 12 months immediately before the day you apply;
• You have been living in Australia on a valid visa for 4 years immediately before the day you apply; and
• You have not been absent from Australia for more than a year in total in the past 4 years, including no more than 90 days in the 12 months immediately before applying.

Leaving Australia

Make sure your passport or other travel paperwork is up to date. Check visa conditions and expiry in VEVO. Use SmartGate for faster airport departure if eligible. Request international movement records for proof of travel to and from Australia.