187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187) – Direct entry stream

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
Stream	Direct entry stream
Application status	Closed to new applications
Stay	Permanent
Cost	N/A
Apply location	Inside or outside Australia
Decision location	Inside or outside Australia
Eligibility timing	Apply within six months nomination approval
Age	Usually under 45
Work rights	Work in Australia indefinitely
Study	Study in Australia
Medicare	Eligible to enrol
Travel facility	Five years from grant
Citizenship	May be eligible later
Family sponsorship	Sponsor eligible relatives
Family inclusion	Include before decision
Visa record	Digital; no passport label
Key employment obligation	Regional employer for at least two years

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Purpose

This permanent visa was for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer for a position in regional Australia.

This visa is closed to new applications.

Eligibility

You must have:

• An approved nomination from an Australian employer actively and lawfully operating in Australia.
• An occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.
• Applied within 6 months of nomination approval.
• Usually been under 45 when applying.
• At least Competent English.
• Relevant work experience—usually at least 3 years, unless exempt.
• A positive skills assessment where required.
• Required state or territory licensing, registration or professional membership.
• Met health and character requirements.
• Paid Australian Government debts, or arranged to pay them.
• Signed an Australian Values Statement if aged 18 or over.

A visa cannot be granted if the nomination is withdrawn, the position is unavailable, or adverse information about the nominator cannot reasonably be disregarded.

Age exemptions

You may be exempt from the age requirement if you are:

• An eligible university academic nominated by an Australian university.
• A scientist, researcher or technical specialist nominated by an Australian scientific government agency.
• A subclass 444 or 461 visa holder who worked for the nominating employer in the nominated occupation for at least 2 years in the previous 3 years, excluding unpaid leave.

Work experience exemption

The usual 3-year work-experience requirement does not apply if you currently hold a:

• Special Category visa (subclass 444), or
• New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (subclass 461).

Skills assessment exemptions

You may not need a skills assessment if:

• You hold a subclass 444 or 461 visa and worked for the nominating employer in the nominated occupation for at least 2 years in the previous 3 years.
• Your occupation was not listed in IMMI 12/096.
• You obtained your qualification in Australia.

For the latter exemptions, the source states you must hold the relevant ANZSCO qualifications and have relevant full-time employment at the required skill level.

Stay and permanent residence

This is a permanent visa. You become a permanent resident on the day it is granted.

For citizenship purposes, permanent residence starts:

• On visa grant, if you are in Australia.
• On first entry on this visa, if granted while outside Australia.

Rights

This visa allows you to:

• Stay in Australia indefinitely.
• Work and study in Australia.
• Enrol in Medicare.
• Sponsor eligible relatives.
• Travel to and from Australia for 5 years.
• Apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.

Newly arrived residents may need to wait before accessing certain government payments and benefits.

Employment obligations

You and your family members must obey Australian laws.

You are expected to:

• Work for your nominating employer in regional Australia for at least 2 years.
• Start employment within 6 months of:
  • Entering Australia, if granted outside Australia; or
  • Visa grant, if granted in Australia.

The Department may cancel the visa if you do not work for the nominating employer in regional Australia for at least 2 years.

Family provisions

You could include or add family members before a decision is made, including:

• Your partner.
• Your dependent child or stepchild.
• Your partner’s dependent child or stepchild.
• A dependent child or stepchild of a dependent child.
• In certain circumstances, a subclass 457 or 482 visa holder granted that visa as your family member.

Family members must meet health and character requirements where required.

An additional second instalment may apply for family members aged 18 or over who do not have Functional English.

Child consent

For a dependent child under 18, obtain consent from anyone with legal authority to decide where the child lives who is not migrating with them. Provide either:

• Form 1229, or
• A statutory declaration giving consent.

Alternatively, provide evidence that you have sole legal authority, such as a court order.

Required documents

Documents may include:

• Current passport identity pages.
• National identity card, if available.
• Name-change evidence, if applicable.
• Nomination Transaction Reference Number (TRN).
• Skills assessment, if required.
• CV or résumé.
• Qualifications and employment references.
• Required licences, registrations or memberships.
• Competent English evidence.
• Age-exemption evidence, if applicable.
• Australian Federal Police complete disclosure certificate, if required.
• Overseas police certificates for relevant countries.
• Military records or discharge papers, if applicable.
• Partner and dependent identity, relationship and dependency evidence.

For non-English documents, provide both originals and English translations. Scan or photograph documents clearly in colour.

Application steps

New applications are closed. For applications already validly lodged, the source describes these steps:

1. Prepare evidence
   Obtain skills assessment, English evidence, health examinations if chosen before lodgement, and nomination TRN.

2. Gather documents
   Upload identity, skills, work experience, English, character and family documents.

3. Lodge the application
   The source states this visa is closed to new applications.

4. After applying
   Check ImmiAccount, provide requested information, complete health examinations or biometrics if asked, and remain lawful.

5. Receive the decision
   The Department provides the decision in writing, including grant details and conditions where applicable.

If you make an error after applying, notify the Department using Form 1023 Notification of incorrect answers.

Tell the Department about changes to your address, passport, relationship status, contact details, a child’s birth, or an intention to withdraw.

Processing

Processing times are available through the visa processing time guide. Times are indicative only and are not specific to an application.

Processing may take longer if:

• The application is incomplete or incorrect.
• Required documents are missing.
• Further information is needed.
• Information must be verified.

The Department cannot process an application unless the correct visa application charge has been paid.

Travel

You can travel in and out of Australia for 5 years from visa grant.

After the travel facility expires, obtain a Resident Return visa (RRV) to return as a permanent resident.

Check the travel facility end date in VEVO.

Important warnings

• A New Zealand passport holder should tell border officers they hold this permanent visa and do not want a subclass 444 visa. A subclass 444 grant may override the permanent visa and affect citizenship eligibility.
• Ensure you hold a valid visa before returning to Australia while an application is being processed.
• Criminal and civil penalties may apply to people who offer, request, receive or provide benefits in exchange for visa sponsorship.
• A refused application does not result in a visa application charge refund.
• Use VEVO to check visa details and conditions.