Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (186)

What is the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa?

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa, subclass 186, is a sponsored visa that allows skilled workers to gain permanent residency in Australia. Similar to the subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, the ENS visa involves a two-stage process: nomination by an employer and a visa application by the applicant. The ENS visa is divided into three streams:

1. Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream
   This stream is designed for current 482 TSS visa holders who:

   • Have worked full-time for their employer for at least two years while holding the TSS visa.
   • Have been nominated by their employer for the ENS visa.
   • Occupy roles listed on either the short-term or medium-term skilled occupation lists.

2. Direct Entry (DE) Stream
   The DE stream allows workers to apply without having previously worked for the sponsoring employer on a 482 visa. Key requirements include:

   • A positive skills assessment from the relevant authority.
   • The occupation must be on the medium-term skilled occupation list.
   • A minimum of three years of relevant work experience.

3. Labour Agreement Stream
   This stream is available for workers under the labour agreement stream of the 482 TSS visa, where the labour agreement permits ENS nominations.

Benefits of the ENS Visa

Once approved, the ENS visa is valid for five years and grants permanent residency in Australia, allowing for indefinite stay. While visa holders are expected to work for their sponsoring employer for at least two years, there is no condition mandating they remain with the employer after the visa is granted. The travel facility on the visa can be extended by applying for a subclass 155 Resident Return Visa.

Eligibility Requirements for a Subclass 186 Visa

To be eligible for the ENS visa, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Valid Passport
   Applicants must hold a valid passport at the time of application.

2. Employer Nomination
   An employer must lodge a nomination for the applicant’s position, which must align with their occupation if applying under the TRT stream.

3. Work Experience

   • For the TRT stream, the applicant must have worked full-time with the nominating employer for at least two of the past three years while holding a 482 TSS visa.
   • For the DE stream, the applicant must have at least three years of relevant work experience.

4. Skills and Qualifications

   • Applicants in the DE stream must provide a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
   • All applicants must meet the qualifications and/or registration requirements for their occupation.

5. Age
   Applicants must be under 45 years old, unless an exemption applies.

6. English Language Proficiency
   Applicants must meet the required level of English proficiency.

7. Health and Character Requirements
   Applicants must satisfy Australia’s health and character criteria.

The subclass 186 ENS visa provides a pathway for skilled workers to establish permanent residency in Australia, offering security and long-term opportunities for eligible applicants.