Sponsoring a worker under the Regional (Subclass 187) DE or Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Class RN Subclass 187 Direct Entry
Overseas workers may apply for Regional (Subclass 187) DE visa or RSMS Subclass 187 Direct Entry visa if they are sponsored or nominated by an Australian company operating a business in regional or country Australia (click here for postcodes considered to be regional or country Australia).
The Regional (Subclass 187) DE visa requires you to have a full-time job and the position is a skilled occupation listed under the labour shortage list (click here to check if the occupation is listed in LIN 19/047).
Do not apply for Regional (Subclass 187) DE visa if you already hold a Subclass 457 and you have worked full-time (at least 35 hours per week) or part-time equivalent for at least 2 years out of 3 years with the same employer in the same occupation, or you hold a TSS Subclass 482 visa having worked 3 out of 4 years for the same employer in the same occupation or closely related to the tasks of your nominated position, you may apply for the Regional (Subclass 187) TRT visa (click here to learn more).
The Regional (Subclass 187) DE visa is for those who are not already holding a Subclass 457 or Subclass 482) visa.
Regional (Subclass 187) requirements
If your occupation requires you to be registered or licensed or having professional membership, you must at the time of application hold, or be eligible to hold, the relevant registration or licence or membership.
You must not be older than 45, unless exempted because you are a ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2 researcher, scientist or technical specialist, or a senior academic nominated by a university in Australia, or a family member of a person holding either a Class TY Subclass 444 (click here to learn more about Subclass 444 visa) or Class UP Subclass 461 visa who worked for at least 2 years in the last 3 years.
You must, at the time of applying for the Regional (Subclass 187) DE visa, have at least competent English proficiency, that is, obtained at least 6 in each of the 4 band in the IELTS test. You may be exempted from English proficiency requirement if you are a national of, and hold a valid passport issued by, the UK or USA or Canada or NZ or the Republic of Ireland. If you are including members of your family who are over 18 and who do not have at least functional English, that is, at least 4.5 in the IELTS test, will be required to pay a second visa application fee or charge (2VAC).
You must, at the time of applying for the Regional (Subclass 187) DE visa, have the required skills and qualifications assessed as positive, unless you are exempted because, for example, you are a NZ citizen holding a Class TY Subclass 444 visa or Class UP Subclass 461 visa, and worked in the nominated occupation for at least 2 years in the last 3 years for the position you have now been nominated.
If your occupation and skill is not exempted but you are nominated in the occupation for which you have obtained a relevant Australia qualification, you must have the qualifications listed in your occupation ANZSCO code.
Another criterion for the grant of the Regional (Subclass 187) DE visa is that you must have at least 3 years of full-time experience working (not as a volunteer) in the nominated occupation and at the level of skill required. Work experience may substitute for formal qualifications.
Including family members
Members of your family unit can be included in your Regional (Subclass 187) DE visa application. However, after the visa application is lodged, only newborn child or a new partner (spouse or de facto partner) or dependent child, even if they are subject to any overriding bars, may be added to your unfinalised application.
The Regional (Subclass 187) DE visa is a permanent visa valid for 5 years (click here to learn more about RRV 155 visa).
During the COVID-19 Pandemic the Department will prioritise your visa application if your occupation is in the PMSOL (click here to learn more).
You should note that it is an offence to pay someone to sponsor you for this visa and your visa can be cancelled (click here to learn more).
Please note that subclass 178 DE is now closed to new applicants.
Australian migration law is complex and difficult to understand, contact our immigration lawyer for a consultation (fee applies) to help you decide if you are eligible to apply for a Regional (Subclass 187) DE visa (click here to find out how an immigration lawyer or registered migration agent can help you). You may also refer to our FAQs for answers regarding visa application or visa cancellation by clicking here.
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This article is not intended to be or taken as migration legal advice. The author of this article disclaims any liability for any action or omission on the information provided or not provided in this article. You should always consult an immigration lawyer or a registered migration agent to form an informed opinion on your immigration matter.
