187 Visa – Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme for Engineers
Subclass 187 Visa is a permanent employer sponsored visa for skilled employees in regional areas of Australia. The visa is more formally known as RSMS and is one of the two permanent employer sponsored visas that are available, alongside theSubclass 186 ENS. It generally represents the easiest pathway for engineers and ICT specialists in regional areas to permanent residence while they hold the Subclass 482 visa.
What is the 187 Visa?
The Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa grants permanent residence to skilled workers nominated by a regional Australian employer. Unlike the 186 ENS which covers both regional and metropolitan employers, the 187 visa is exclusively for positions in designatedregional areas. Workers who receive a 187 visa can live and work in Australia as permanent residents from the date of grant.
From 1 July 2026, income thresholds for the 187 visa have been updated under the Migration Legislation Amendment (Annual Market Salary Rate) Instrument 2026. Employers nominating workers for the 187 must now pay the higher of either the updated income threshold or the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for the nominated occupation.
Temporary Residence Transition and Direct Entry: Which Stream Applies to You?
The 187 visa operates through two streams. The stream that applies to you depends on whether you are already in Australia on an employer-sponsored visa.
Temporary Residence Transition Stream
This stream is for workers who currently hold or have held a Subclass 482 or 457 visa and have been working for their sponsoring employer for at least 2 of the past 3 years in the nominated occupation. The employer must nominate you for a permanent position in the same occupation you held on your temporary visa.
Eligibility conditions for this stream:
- Currently hold or have held a Subclass 482 or 457 visa
- Worked for the same sponsoring employer for at least 2 years in the past 3 years
- Employer must be operating in a designated regional area of Australia
- Nominated occupation must be the same as the 482/457 occupation
- Must be a transitional 482 worker as defined by the Department of Home Affairs
- Meet health and character requirements
Direct Entry Stream
This stream is for skilled workers who do not hold a 482 or 457 visa and are applying directly for permanent regional sponsorship. It suits workers coming from overseas or workers already in Australia on a different visa type.
Eligibility conditions for this stream:
- Under 45 years of age at time of application
- Nominated by an approved regional employer for a full-time position for at least 2 years
- Occupation on the relevantskilled occupations list
- Minimum 2 years of relevant full-time work experience in the nominated occupation
- Competent English: IELTS minimum 6.0 in each band or equivalent for most occupations
- Positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority
- Meet health and character requirements
- Employer must conduct Labour Market Testing for 4 weeks before nominating
Which Locations Qualify Under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme
The 187 visa is not available for positions in major metropolitan areas. The following locations are specifically excluded:
- Sydney, New South Wales
- Melbourne, Victoria
- Brisbane, Queensland
- Perth, Western Australia
- Gold Coast,Queensland
- Wollongong, New South Wales
- Newcastle, New South Wales
All other areas of Australia are generally considered regional for 187 visa purposes. This includes major regional cities such as Canberra, Adelaide, Darwin, Hobart, Townsville, Cairns, and all rural and remote areas.
Skills Assessment by Occupation: Authorities, Documents, and Stream Rules
The Direct Entry stream requires a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority before the nomination can be approved. For engineering occupations, Engineers Australia conducts the assessment through the CDR pathway. For ICT occupations, ACS assesses through the RPL report pathway.
Occupation Group | Assessing Authority | Assessment Required | Stream |
Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Mining, Structural) | Engineers Australia | CDR report, Career Episodes, Summary Statement, CPD | Direct Entry stream |
ICT (Software Engineers, Business Analysts, IT Managers) | ACS | ACS RPL report | Direct Entry stream |
Trades (Electricians, Plumbers, Welders) | TRA | Direct Entry stream | |
Healthcare | AHPRA and relevant specialty college | Registration-based assessment | Direct Entry and TRT stream |
Temporary Residence Transition stream | N/A | Skills assessment not required in this stream | TRT stream only |
The Temporary Residence Transition stream does not require a new skills assessment because your qualifications were already verified when your 482 or 457 visa was granted. If you are applying through the Direct Entry stream from outside Australia or on a non-sponsored visa, the skills assessment is mandatory.
Application Costs, SAF Levy, and How Long It Takes
Fee Type | Amount (AUD) | Notes |
Primary applicant | AUD 4,240 | Current fee as of 2026 |
Secondary applicant aged 18 or over | AUD 2,060 | Each additional adult |
Secondary applicant under 18 | AUD 1,030 | Each child applicant |
Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, employer cost | AUD 3,000 per year of nomination (small business AUD 1,200) | Paid by employer at time of nomination lodgement |
11 to 17 months standard | No priority processing available for 187 |
SAF levy note: The Skilling Australians Fund levy is paid by the employer, not the visa applicant. It is calculated based on the number of years of the employment contract. Employers must pay the SAF levy before the nomination is approved.
PR Pathway and Post-Grant Conditions
The 187 visa grants permanent residence from day one. There is no provisional period and no staged pathway like the 494 to 191 route. However, there are post-grant employment conditions that apply in the early years.
- Must continue working for the sponsoring employer in the nominated regional area for a minimum of 2 years from visa grant
- After 2 years, unrestricted work rights apply and you can move to any employer in any location
- Can live, work, and study anywhere in Australia after the 2-year regional obligation period
- Eligible to sponsor family members to PR
- Eligible for citizenship after meetingresidency requirements
2 year Regional employment obligation: If you leave your employer or you are not based in a regional area at any time during your 2 year obligation period your visa can be cancelled, impacting your future applications.
How the 187 RSMS Compares to the 186, 494, and 482 Visas
Feature | 187 RSMS | 186 ENS | 494 Regional | 482 SID |
Visa type | Permanent | Permanent | Provisional | Temporary |
Employer required | Yes, regional | Yes, any location | Yes, regional | Yes, any |
Age limit | Under 45 (Direct Entry) | Under 45 | Under 45 | No age limit |
Regional requirement | Yes, both streams | No | Yes | No |
PR from grant date | Yes | Yes | No, 191 after 3 years | No, 186 after 2 years |
Direct Entry stream only | Yes | Yes | Core Skills stream only | |
Processing time | 11 to 17 months | Varies by stream | Varies | Weeks for accredited sponsors |
Submit Your 187 Visa Application With the Right Skills Assessment
For Direct Entry stream applicants, the skills assessment is the first step and the one that determines the entire timeline. Engineers who submit an incomplete or incorrect CDR face a 10 to 16 week delay before even reaching the visa nomination stage.
CDR Australia Writer prepares CDR reports for engineers targeting the187 visa Direct Entry stream, built against the correct ANZSCO code and Engineers Australia Stage 1 standards. Every document is prepared with zero plagiarism and a 100% approval record.
Get your skills assessment completed before your employer lodges the 187 nomination. Contact CDR Australia Writer today.
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We have mentioned common questions asked by our clients regarding CDR report, ACS RPL report, KA02 report, and skill assessment process.
The 187 visa is a permanent, sponsored skilled migration visa to regional Australia and is also known as RSMS, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.
Yes, but only for the Direct Entry stream.Engineers Australia assesses through the CDR pathway. The Temporary Residence Transition stream does not require one.
AUD 4,240 for the primary applicant. AUD 2,060 for each additional adult. AUD 1,030 per child. The employer pays the SAF levy separately.
Not immediately. You must work for your sponsoring employer in the regional area for 2 years first. After that, you can live and work anywhere in Australia.
11 to 17 months. No priority processing is available.