Immigration Service

Employer Sponsored 186 Migrant Visa

The 186 visa (Employer Nomination Scheme Visa) (ENS), is a permanent visa under the employer sponsored visa category. It is often called an employer sponsored migrant visa, or employer nominated migrant visa. The Australian Government allows enterprises or institutions in Australia to hire overseas professionals by sponsoring the employee to directly apply for a permanent visa to come and live in Australia. The 186 visa combines the previous 121 and 856 visas, and so can be applied for regardless of whether the applicant is inside or outside Australia at the same time. Eligible family members may also be included in the application.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

The nominated occupation must be listed in the latest Consolidated Sponsored Occupations List (CSOL)
• The availability of an eligible employer to sponsor the applicant for and who is willing to sign an employment contract of at least two years.
• The employer agrees to and is financially capable of paying the applicant the industry wage.
• The sponsoring employer has a record of training local staff (PR or citizens).
• The applicant has not yet reached the age of 50.
• IELTS score of 6 in each band(exemptions may apply).

APPLICABLE GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS

There is no geographical restriction on where the employer or the workplace of the nominated position is located as long as it is in Australia.

Regional Employer Sponsored 187 Visa

The 187 visa (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa)(RSMS), is a permanent visa under the employer sponsored visa category. The 187 visa combines the previous 119 and 857 visas, and can be applied for regardless of whether the applicant is inside or outside Australia. Eligible family members may also be included in the application.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

• The availability of an eligible regional employer to sponsor the applicant for the 187 visa and who is willing to sign an employment contract of at least two years. The workplace of the nominated position must be in a regional area as specified by the Immigration Department
• The employer agrees to and is financially capable of paying the employee the industry wage.
• The applicant has not yet reached the age of 50.
• IELTS score of 6 in each band.

APPLICABLE GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS

The workplace of the nominated position must be in a regional area as specified by the Immigration Department.

Business Innovation & Investment Subclass 888 Permanent Visas

VISA INFORMATION

After running businesses or holding investments in Australia, subclass 188A, 188B, 188C temporary visa holders can apply for the permanent subclass 888 business innovation and investment visa. The corresponding 888 visa subclass are 888A, 888B and 888C (to the 188A, 188B and 188C visas respectively).

REQUIREMENT – 888A

• Has ownership interest and participation in the management of an Australian business for at least 24 months prior to lodging the application.

THE OWNERSHIP INTEREST MUST BE:

• If business turnover is less than $AUD 400,000, at least 51% of the business.
• If business turnover is greater than $AUD 400,000, at least 30% of the business.
• If the business is a listed company, at least 10% of the shares.


REQUIREMENT – 888B

• Has lived in Australia for cumulatively 2 years in the 4 years prior to lodging the application.
• Undertake to continue conducting business or investment in Australia.
• Make the designated $AUD 1.5 million investment before visa grant and maintain the investment for 4 years.


REQUIREMENT – 888C

• Has lived in Australia for 160 days in the past 4 years, or 240 days in the past 6 years, or 320 days in the past 8 years, before lodging the application.
• Continue to maintain investment during the valid period of the 188C visa.
• Never engaged in illegal business or investment activities.
• Undertake to continue conducting business or investment in Australia.

Business Innovation & Investment Subclass188 Visas

VISA INFORMATION -188A

The subclass188 visa under the Business Innovation stream is a 4 year temporary visa designed for those with business experience to establish or manage business in Australia. The audit requirements are relatively relaxed for this type of visa. It focuses on the business’s turnover, not on the amount invested, and the investment can be flexible. After qualifying, you can apply for a subclass 888A permanent visa.

REQUIREMENTS

Age: Less than 55 years of age.
English Language: None
Experience: Business experience, with direct involvement in business management.
Business Assets: Business and personal assets of at least $AUD 800,000.
Operation: Annual turnover of at least $AUD 500,000 or more for at least two financial years in the four financial years before receiving the invitation to lodge application.
Points Test: 65


VISA INFORMATION -188B

The Subclass 188B visa under the Investor stream is a 4 year temporary visa designed for investors to engage in investment or business management activities in Australia. Owning a business or company is not necessary, but the applicant’s capacity to invest plays an important role. The applicant must have outstanding investment record and experience. This visa is ideal for successful professional investors. After qualifying, you can apply for the 888B permanent visa.

REQUIREMENTS

Age: Less than 55 years of age.
English Language: None
Experience: At least 3 years’ successful investment background.
Business Assets: Personal assets of at least $AUD 2.25 million for the two financial years before receiving the invitation to lodge application.
Operation: At least one year’s involvement in the main management in a business in which the applicant holds at least 10% ownership in the 5 years before receiving the invitation to lodge application; or involvement in the management of an investment of at least $AUD 1.5 million.
Points Test: 65


VISA INFORMATION -188C

The Subclass 188C visa under the Significant Investor Stream, the $AUD 5 million investor visa, is the most popular visa among the three 188 visas in the Business Innovation and Investment Visa category. This visa is a 4 year temporary visa designed for successful business people who want to invest $AUD 5 million or more in Australia. After qualifying, you can apply for a subclass 888C permanent visa.

REQUIREMENTS

Age: No restriction
English Language: None
Experience: Never engaged in illegal business or investment activities.
Business Assets: Assets of at least $AUD 5 million
Operation: Invest at least $AUD 5 million in qualifying investments before visa grant.
Point Test: Not required

Employer Sponsored 457Work Visaa

The Employer Sponsored Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa is a long-term business visa introduced by the Australian Government to allow Australian businesses to recruit various overseas professionals or skilled workers, aiming to quickly and flexibly fill short to medium-term technical shortages of workers and to meet the demands of the labour market. The applicant is nominated and sponsored by the employer for their 457 Visa application.

APPLICATION PROCESS & GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION

Step 1: The employer applies for eligibility
Step 2: The employer nominates the applicant
Step 3: The applicant lodges the 457 visa application
There is no geographical restriction on where the employer or the workplace of the nominated position is located as long as it is in Australia.

EMPLOYER SPONSORSHIP REQUIREMENTS

• Lawfully operating and ongoing business
• No adverse information about the company
• Meet local staff training requirements
• Nominated occupation is needed by the business and listed in CSOL
• Some occupations need to pass an Australian local labour market test
• Pay the visa applicant an annual salary based on market wage rates

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

• Nominate a position appropriate to his/her academic qualifications and work experience
• IELTS score of 5 in each band

ADVANTAGES

• The 457 visa is available for many professions and industries. People who cannot otherwise apply for independent skilled visas can achieve their goals of migration through employer sponsorship
• Visa holders have multiple travel rights; eligible family members can also be included in the application; children of the visa holders can attend public schools (schools may have enrolment requirements, not including New South Wales and Canberra) free of charge; and enjoy the benefits of Australian medical care after purchasing medical insurance.