Are you on a 457 Temporary Worker Visa and wish to obtain permanent residency? Here is how it works!

If you are in Australia on a 457 visa then the two most commonly used options to obtain permanent residency are the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) or the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) and both require sponsorship from your current employer who sponsored you for the 457. From the 1st July 2012 the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) implemented further changes to both subclasses and have added three streams; temporary residence transition, direct entry or agreement. The process below specifically deals with the transition stream.

Going from the 457 to the ENS/RSMS visa you must meet the following;

  • Have worked full-time in Australia in the nominated occupation on a Subclass 457 temporary work visa for the last two years prior to the visa application being made. The whole two years must be with the same employer sponsoring your for the ENS/RSMS. If you change employers then the two years will start again.
  • Your skills do not need to be assessed because you have already worked for your nominating employer for two years in Australia.
  • You must have at least vocational English which is IELTS 5 and above in all 4 bands for reading, writing, speaking and listening.

If you are currently on a 457 but haven’t completed the two years you can still apply for the direct entry route now and do not have to wait the two years. To apply for the direct entry ENS route a skills assessment is required and for the RSMS you must have the required qualifications and/or work experience and in some cases a skills assessment.

Please note this is a brief overview of the options available and other eligibility requirements exist for the employer, employee and dependants. For further information please contact a member of our migration team to discuss options for the ENS/RSMS visa and other visa subclasses that may be an option.

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