ENS 186 Visa Services

Subclass 186 Permanent Residency - Unlock Long -Term Stability

Service Details

One of the most overlooked yet powerful options for businesses is the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa under the Direct Entry Stream. This pathway offers your business and employees long-term security, enabling you to:

Attract and Retain Talent: Employees offered permanent residency (PR) are more likely to remain loyal, reducing turnover costs and enhancing workforce stability.
Recoup Professional & Visa Costs: Should an employee leave shortly after obtaining PR, you may legally recover professional and visa fees (excluding the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy), minimizing financial risk.
Avoid SID Visa Limitations: Unlike the Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (SID) visa, PR sponsorship costs can be partially recovered, making 186 sponsorship a strategic, cost-effective solution.

Our recommendation: The 186 Direct Entry Stream visa is a smart investment for businesses seeking to secure highly skilled employees for the long term.

Streams under the Subclass 186 Visa

The 186 Visa has two primary streams that businesses can access based on their needs and the circumstances of the employee:

1. Direct Entry (DE) Stream

This stream is suitable for businesses looking to sponsor skilled workers who may not have previously worked in Australia or who have only briefly worked in Australia. It is often used when hiring overseas talent directly into a permanent role.

Eligibility Criteria:

The nominee must have at least three years of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation.
The occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
A positive skills assessment in the nominated occupation is required.
The nominee must be under 45 years of age.
The nominee must meet English language requirements (Competent English level – IELTS 6.0 or equivalent).
The sponsoring employer must demonstrate a genuine need for the position and provide a permanent, full-time job offer.

1. Transitional (TRT) Stream

This stream is intended for employees who have already been working for the sponsoring employer on a Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (SID) Visa for at least two years.

Eligibility Criteria:

The nominee must have worked full-time for the same employer in the same occupation for at least two years while holding a Subclass 482 Visa.
The occupation must still be required by the business, though it does not need to be on the MLTSSL.
The nominee must be under 45 years of age (with some exemptions for certain high-income earners and regional applicants).
The nominee must meet English language requirements (Competent English level – IELTS 6.0 or equivalent).
The sponsoring employer must offer a permanent, full-time position in the same occupation.

Eligibility Assessment

We start with a comprehensive assessment of both the employer’s and employee’s eligibility for the ENS 186 visa. This includes a detailed review of the employer’s capacity to sponsor, such as financial stability and compliance with sponsorship obligations, as well as the employee’s qualifications, work experience, and occupation relevance. By addressing potential challenges early, we ensure that both parties meet the necessary criteria, setting the stage for a strong and effective visa application strategy.

Document Preparation and Submission

We guide you step-by-step through gathering and preparing all necessary documentation, ensuring that every aspect fully complies with Australian immigration laws. Our dedicated team handles the preparation of both the employer’s nomination application and the employee’s visa application with precision, making sure that all required details are meticulously addressed. This comprehensive support helps to streamline the process, minimize potential delays, and ensure that your business and employees are well-positioned for a successful outcome.

Skills Assessment and Labor Market Testing

Where required, we offer Labor Market Testing (LMT) support to help your business demonstrate a genuine need for international talent when local options aren’t unavailable. We guide you through the process of advertising and documenting the role to meet regulatory standards. We also assist candidates with obtaining the necessary skills assessments to verify their qualifications. Our deep understanding of STEM industries allows us to streamline this process, ensuring that your business and the candidate fully align with all requirements, strengthening the overall application.

Compliance Support

We remain committed to supporting your business throughout the sponsorship term by ensuring compliance with all obligations, such as maintaining accurate records, reporting changes to the Department of Home Affairs, and upholding fair work practices. Our proactive team keeps you informed of any updates in immigration laws that could impact your sponsorship status or your employees’ visas. Best of all, there are no additional costs for assessing new candidates’ visa suitability or providing ongoing support for your entire team’s immigration needs, ensuring you have comprehensive assistance without unexpected expenses.

Post-Lodgement Support

After submitting your application, we remain actively engaged by closely monitoring its progress, responding promptly to any inquiries from immigration authorities, and providing you with regular updates to keep you fully informed. We understand that processing times can be lengthy, so we prioritize proactive communication to ensure you’re never left in the dark. In addition, we offer flat-rate consultations and yearly retainer options for ongoing support, helping you manage workforce planning and compliance with ease, and addressing any questions as soon as they arise.

Costs Associated with the Subclass 186 Visa

The cost of sponsoring an employee under the Subclass 186 Visa is a significant investment; however, it provides greater financial security compared to temporary visa options, as many of the professional and visa fees can be recovered from the employee if they leave shortly after visa approval (excluding the SAF levy).

Government Fees

Nomination Application Fee: $547.56
Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy: $3,000 (for businesses with turnover under $10 million) or $5,000 (for over $10 million)
Visa Application Fee (Main Applicant): $4,836.78

Professional Fees

Nomination Application: $2,200 (excluding GST)
Visa Application: $2,200 (excluding GST

Key Considerations

Cost Recovery: Employers can recoup professional and visa fees from the employee if they leave shortly after obtaining permanent residency. This is a key advantage over the Subclass 482 Visa, where costs cannot be recovered.
Workforce Stability: Employees granted permanent residency are more likely to remain with your business, leading to improved staff retention and reduced turnover costs.
Long-Term Investment: While upfront costs may seem high, the long-term benefits often outweigh the expense, especially when compared to temporary sponsorship options.

Immi Response Expert Immigration Services in Australia

Hi, i am

Ieva Vaityte

I’m Ieva, and my journey started in a fast-paced corporate immigration law firm in Australia. It was there that I mastered the ins and outs of immigration law, but something was missing: a human connection. I often saw clients treated as just another case number, which didn’t sit right with me. Immigration is personal. It’s about people, families, and their dreams. That’s why in 2018, I founded Immi Response—to provide more than just legal advice. I wanted to offer understanding, guidance, and hope.

Our mission is simple: to treat every client as an individual, not just a file. Our values—transparency, client focus, fast response, ethical guidance, and adaptability—ensure that we meet each client’s unique needs with respect and expertise.

Book a Discovery Call

Navigate

Get the latest immigration updates

Thank You, we'll be in touch soon.

Disclaimer
Liability is limited under the Professional Standards Scheme and other relevant Australian laws. The content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For more details, please refer to our Terms and Conditions.

Acknowledgment of Country
I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we operate, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. I pay my respects to Elders past, present, and emerging, recognising their enduring connection to the land, waters, and culture.