The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa (Subclass 187) was an Australian employer-sponsored permanent residency visa designed to attract skilled workers to regional areas. Through this visa, eligible skilled professionals could live and work permanently in regional Australia while contributing to local businesses experiencing skill shortages. Although the Subclass 187 visa is now closed to new applications, it remains a significant pathway for many workers who applied earlier and are still awaiting outcomes or seeking information about related visa options.
At Amar Immigration, we continue to support clients with existing Subclass 187 applications, transitional arrangements, and regional employer-sponsored visa alternatives.
Purpose of the Subclass 187 Visa
The RSMS Subclass 187 visa aimed to support the growth and development of regional Australia by enabling employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas. Regional employers often experience difficulty filling certain roles locally, and this visa enabled them to address skill shortages by recruiting qualified international professionals.
For eligible applicants, the Subclass 187 visa provided a direct route to Australian permanent residency, offering long-term stability, family benefits, and a pathway to citizenship.
Streams Under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187)
The visa consisted of three main streams, each tailored to different types of applicants and employment situations:
1. Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream
This stream was for skilled workers who had already worked in Australia for their sponsoring employer for a minimum period on a temporary employer-sponsored visa such as the Subclass 457 or Subclass 482. Applicants needed to demonstrate consistent employment with the same regional employer and meet English, age, and skill requirements. The TRT stream offered a simpler transition to permanent residency for eligible applicants.
2. Direct Entry Stream
This stream catered to skilled workers who had not worked previously in Australia or who had worked only briefly. Applicants needed to have relevant qualifications, skills, and work experience for the nominated occupation. In many cases, a skills assessment was required. This stream allowed regional employers to sponsor workers directly for permanent residency when there were no suitable local candidates.
3. Agreement Stream
This stream applied to applicants nominated under a labour agreement between the employer and the Australian Government. Labour agreements were used in situations where unique skill shortages existed, allowing employers more flexibility in meeting visa criteria such as age, English, and skill level.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for the Subclass 187 visa had to meet several key criteria, including:
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Nomination by an approved regional employer
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Age under 45 years, unless exempt
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Competent English language ability, or an eligible exemption
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Relevant skills, qualifications, and work experience
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Positive skills assessment, where required
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Meeting health and character requirements
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A genuine, full-time, ongoing position offered for at least two years
For employers, obligations included demonstrating genuine need for the role, complying with Australian workplace laws, and offering salary conditions equivalent to local workers.
Benefits of the Subclass 187 Visa
The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa offered significant advantages for successful applicants:
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Permanent Residency: Live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.
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Work Rights: Full employment rights with no restrictions on occupation or location after visa grant.
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Family Inclusion: Partners and dependent children could be included in the application.
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Medicare Access: Eligibility to enrol in Australia’s public healthcare system.
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Citizenship Pathway: After meeting residency requirements, applicants could apply for Australian citizenship.
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Travel Rights: Unlimited travel in and out of Australia for five years from the visa grant date.
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Sponsorship Ability: Permanent residents could sponsor eligible relatives for other visa categories.
Current Status and Alternatives
The Subclass 187 visa is no longer open for new applications. It has been replaced by newer regional employer-sponsored pathways, most notably the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 494. This new visa continues the goal of attracting skilled workers to regional areas and offers a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa.
Individuals who previously applied for the Subclass 187 visa may still have applications in process, and transitional arrangements may apply depending on the visa held at the time of legislative changes.
Why Choose Amar Immigration?
At Amar Immigration, we are committed to helping skilled professionals and regional employers navigate Australia’s employer-sponsored visa system. Whether you have an existing Subclass 187 visa application or need guidance on alternative regional pathways, our experienced migration consultants provide:
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Accurate eligibility assessment
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Strategic advice for employer sponsorship
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Assistance with documentation and nomination requirements
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Guidance on new regional visas and permanent residency pathways
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End-to-end support for both applicants and employers
Contact Amar Immigration today to explore your options and plan your pathway to permanent residency in regional Australia.