Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa 187 (2024)

The subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa is a skilled visa that allows workers in a regional area who were sponsored on a subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa to apply for permanent residence.

Fixed price

There are no hidden costs for our services. Our fees are clearly set out in a fee agreement.

Deal direct with a lawyer

From the first same-day response to the granting of your visa, you’ll have direct access to a lawyer.

Clear communication

Our experienced lawyers will give you regular updates and clear explanations of visa pathways.

Satisfaction guarantee

We offer a client satisfaction guarantee in relation to our visa application services.

Installments available

3 - 6 months installment options available on some visa types.

The RSMS program has effectively been replaced by alternative visas, however it is still possible for Transitional 482 visa holders to apply under the Temporary Residence Transition stream (TRT).

A Transitional 482 visa holder is defined as someone who held a subclass 457 visa on or after 18 April 2017, or who held a subclass 482 TSS visa in the medium term stream on or before 20 March 2019. Most TSS visa holders will not fall into this category, and will instead likely need to apply for permanent residence through the subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa.

The RSMS is a sponsored visa, which requires the visa applicant to be nominated for the visa by the same regional employers that sponsored them for their TSS.

Once granted, the RSMS visa allows a visa applicant to remain in Australia indefinitely as a permanent resident. Visa holders are required to continue working for their employer in a regional area for a minimum of two years, after which they have unrestricted work rights.

As a permanent visa, there are a number of benefits to the RSMS visa, which allows skilled workers to remain in Australia indefinitely, and to apply to become an Australian citizen on meeting the criteria.

The RSMS provides a pathway to permanent residency which does not require a state nomination or invitation unlike other skilled visas, providing greater certainty and a faster time frame for foreign workers who meet the criteria. Further benefits for RSMS visa holders include:

• A minimum salary of $70,000 plus super
• Unrestricted work, study and travel rights for you and any secondary applicants
• Travel in and out of Australia
• Access to Medicare and subsidized study
• Include family members to come to Australia as a permanent resident

The RSMS visa consists of a two stage process as follows:

Stage 1: Nomination

For the RSMS visa, the applicant’s employer must first lodge a nomination for the position within their business. The position must be the same as the one nominated in the applicant’s previous TSS.Nominations will need to include evidence that the worker has been employed on a full-time basis for at least two of the previous three years, as well as evidence of the business’ operations in Australia and information relating to how the foreign worker’s salary has been determined.

Stage 2: Visa application

The last stage is the visa application, which must be lodged after the nomination. An RSMS visa application includes evidence of the applicant’s skills and experience to ensure that they would meet the criteria for the visa.

Australian Migration Lawyers can help both visa applicants and sponsoring employers to prepare thorough applications to ensure that you have the best chance of success with both stages.

As immigration lawyers, we have a keen understanding of the relevant case law, policy, and legislation relating to RSMS visas.

At Australian Migration Lawyers, we provide valuable guidance and support to make the entire process as seamless as possible. We have a high success rate with our applications, and have dealt with a wide array of complex occupations and situations.

We assist in all stages of the process, including the preparation of all necessary applications all the way through to the grant of the visa, including working with you to action any additional requests from the Department of Home Affairs.

• Our team of qualified Australian lawyers draw on their knowledge of legislation, case law, and policy, to give clear and accurate advice on all requirements and strategies relevant to your matter
• As lawyers, we have an obligation to ensure that your application meets all legislative requirements, which greatly improves your chance of success

There are two main costs associated with a RSMS visa application.

Professional fees payable to Australian Migration Lawyers to prepare the application

Our fees will vary depending on the circ*mstances of your application. Some applications will be more complex than others and our fees will be quoted accordingly. We work on a fixed-fee basis rather than billing hourly to provide our clients with certainty about what the total costs associated with their visa application will be. We strive to be flexible, so we offer payment plans based on financial need.

Book a free consultation with one of our qualified lawyers to get a quote.

Department fees

The relevant fees for the Department of Home Affairs in relation to a RSMS application are as follows:

• Nomination stage - Skilling Australians Fund levy $3,000-5,000 (based on business turnover)
• Visa stage - application fee $4,640

Our legal team at Australian Migration Lawyers are skilled lawyers practising in Australian migration law.

As lawyers, we cannot issue guarantees that your RSMS visa will be granted. The decision rests with the Department of Home Affairs, not any one representative, lawyer or migration agent. However, our sound understanding of the law means that we are able to put the best case forward to seek a successful outcome.

We strive to make ourselves as accessible as possible to you

• Most initial consultations are free and recurring services will incur a fixed-fee that we will discuss with you
• You can have a consultation with us from anywhere in Australia as our consultations are online
• We can assist you regardless of where you are in the RSMS visa process
• We assist with all stages of the process, including both the nomination and visa applications
• We can work with both you and your sponsor to ensure consistency and quality throughout the whole application process

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