The Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186) is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who have been nominated by an Australian employer to fill a skilled position in the Australian labor market. This visa allows successful applicants to live and work in Australia indefinitely and provides a pathway to Australian citizenship after meeting the required residency conditions. The Subclass 186 visa is an ideal option for foreign workers with the necessary skills and qualifications who have received a job offer from an Australian employer.

Applicants can apply under one of three streams based on their specific situation: the Direct Entry Stream, the Temporary Resident Transition Stream, or the Labor Agreement Stream. The Direct Entry Stream is for individuals who have the required qualifications and work experience but have not previously worked in Australia. The Temporary Resident Transition Stream applies to those who have held a Subclass 457 or Subclass 482 visa for at least two years and are being nominated for a permanent position by the same employer. The Labour Agreement Stream is for applicants nominated by employers who have a labor agreement with the Australian government.

To be eligible for the Subclass 186 visa, applicants must meet specific criteria, which vary depending on the stream. For example, the Direct Entry Stream requires at least three years of relevant work experience and the necessary qualifications for the nominated occupation, while the Temporary Resident Transition Stream requires applicants to have held a Subclass 457 or Subclass 482 visa for at least two years and be nominated for a permanent role in the sameoccupation. All applicants must also meet health and character requirements. Once granted, the Subclass 186 visa provides permanent residency, allowing visa holders to live and work in Australia without time restrictions. The visa also offers the flexibility to travel freely in and out of Australia as permanent residents.

The application process involves several steps, including employer nomination, submission of the visa application, health and character checks, and waiting for a decision from the Department of Home Affairs. If the application is successful, applicants are granted permanent residency, which allows them to live and work in Australia indefinitely. The cost of this visa starts from AUD 4,770.

Applicants should note that the age limit for most applicants is 45 years or younger at the time of application, although certain exemptions apply. Employers must also ensure that the nominated position complies with Australian employment laws and is a genuine skilled position.