REGIONAL SPONSERED MIGRATION SCHEME (RSMS) VISA (SUBCLASS 187)
Employer-sponsored visa for skilled professionals in designated regional areas
ABOUT THE VISA
The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187) is a permanent residence visa (PRV) of skilled workers who have been nominated by an Australian employer in regional Australia. The visa will also help solve the problem of skills shortages in local areas as employers can sponsor overseas workers who are well qualified to be employed on a long term basis.
Successful applicants get permanent residency thus being permitted to remain in Australia indefinitely with unrestricted rights to work and study. The visa also offers access to the Medicare and a road to the Australian citizenship, in case one is eligible to the same.
STREAMS OF THE VISA
There are 2 streams of the RSMS visa (subclass 187)
Direct Entry Stream
Transitional Residence Transition (TRT) Stream..
ELIGIBILITY AND KEY REQUIREMENTS
Direct Entry Stream
Closed to new applications
Previously required:
Selection by a registered Australian employer in regional Australia.
Experience on the skilled occupation list of interest.
As a rule, a minimum of 3 years of work experience.
Adequacy of skills, qualification and English language requirements.
There is no visa application fee because there are closed applications.
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream
Approval by an Australian employer in regional Australia.
Applicant has to be a transition subclass 457 or subclass 482 visa holder.
The nominating employer is normally a full-time employee based in regional Australia and at least 2 years of full-time employment.
The nomination should be granted within half a year of visa application.
The age is generally less than 45 years unless there is an exception.
SKILLS AND ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
Unless exempt a positive skills assessment was needed.
At least Competent English
Where necessary, licensing, registration or professional membership was necessary.
Transient Residence Transition Stream..
Skills portrayed in sponsored work.
At least Competent English except where not.
Licensing or registration demanded where the state law or territory law dictates it.
Across both streams
Applicants who are 18 years and above should sign the Australian values statement.
The applicants are required to have read or read aloud the booklet on Life in Australia.
HEALTH AND CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS
Across both streams
The health requirements of Australia should be met by the applicants and the family members.
There might be also health and character requirements of the non-migrating family members.
Applicants that are aged 16 years and above require police background checks and character screening.
BENEFITS OF THIS VISA
On an RSMS (subclass 187) visa, the holder is allowed to
Work, live and study in Australia permanently.
Register in the Australian health care programme (Medicare)
Bring over relatives who are the sponsors to Australia.
Interstate travel of 5 years since the grant of visa of date.
Apply to become an Australian citizen, provided that one qualifies.
Permanent residents who have recently migrated might have to wait before availing some of the government payments and benefits.
STAY AND TRAVEL CONDITIONS
THIS IS A PERMANENT VISA
Permanent residency begins
On the date of grant of the visa whether granted in Australia or not,
On the date of first actual entry, should offshore.
The duration of 5 years allowed to travel is after the date of visa grant.
Once the travel facility has lapsed, a Resident Return Visa (RRV) is necessary to come back as a permanent resident into Australia.
FAMILY MEMBERS
ACROSS BOTH STREAMS
Family members may be
At the application time, and included.
Introduced after an application and before the decision is made.
THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE ARE
Partner
Child or step child that is dependent.
Dependent children are those of dependent children.
The charge on a second instalment can be provided on family members above the age of 18 years with less than Functional English.
VISA COST
Direct Entry Stream
Not open to new applications (closed to new applications).
Second instalment
AUD 4,890 per dependent 18 years and above with less than Functional English.
There are higher second instalment requirements where the circumstance is English-exempt.
Temporary Residence Transition Stream
Main applicant: AUD 4,910
There are additional charges when it comes to other members of the family.
Other costs may include
Health examinations
Police certificates
Biometrics
PROCESSING TIMES
The time taken in processing differs according to personal conditions.
Timelines can be indicated using the visa processing time guide, which shows recently closed applications only.
The processing can be more time-consuming provided that:
Incomplete applications are made.
Other form of documents or verifications are needed.
The appropriate visa payment fee is not paid.
POST-VISITAS VISA OBLIGATIONS
Visa holders and relatives have to
Adhere to the laws in Australia.
Start working with the nominated employer in 6 months of visa granting or entry.
Be an employee of the nominating employer in regional Australia
It should inform the Department of Home Affairs about any change in circumstances.
Inability to fulfill the expectations of the employment could lead to cancellations of the visas.
APPLICATION STATUS
Direct Entry Stream: Can not take new applications.
Temporary Residence Transition Stream: Eligible transitional subclass 457 or 482 visa holders are open to this.
The visa cannot be granted without an employer nomination approval.
The results of the visa are delivered in the written form.
