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457 to PR (Permanent Residency)

Important: the 457 visa closed in March 2018

The 457 visa closed to new applicants on 18 March 2018 and was replaced by the TSS visa, which was in turn replaced by the 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa on 7 December 2024. This page explains the permanent residence pathways that were set up for 457 visa holders, and parts of it are kept for reference.

Today the main employer sponsored pathway for 457 and 482 visa holders is the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the 186 visa. Since 25 November 2023 you generally need at least two years of full time work in your nominated occupation while holding your 457 or 482 visa (only time working for an approved sponsor counts), competent English, a salary of at least the Core Skills Income Threshold and the market rate, and to be under 45 (under 50 for transitional applicants who held or had applied for a 457 visa on 18 April 2017). The 187 visa is only open to certain transitional applicants, the 489 visa has been replaced by the 491 visa, and the COVID-19 concessions linked below have ended. For current details see 482 visa path to PR and 186 visa processing times.


These are the main pathways for converting a 457 or 482 visa to PR (Permanent Residency)
  1. Via the Employer Nomination Scheme temporary residence transition stream (ENS 186 visa or RSMS 187 visa) (457 to 186 visa or 457 to 187 visa)
  2. Via the Employer Nomination Scheme direct entry stream (ENS or RSMS visa)
  3. Via the Skilled Migration (points based skilled visas – 189, 190, 491)
  4. Applying for a partner visa (if you have a Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident De facto or Spouse- check your eligibility here)
  5. Applying for a visa based on your spouse’s qualification (if you are Married or in a De Facto Relationship)
  6. business visa could be a possibility if you have a certain net worth and turnover.
457 to PR visa eligibility assessment

Related: 

If you have been working for your employer for the last 2 years and they are willing to sponsor you for a permanent position (at least 2 years) you could be eligible for the 186 ENS visa- Transition Stream.

457 to pr (ENS 186 visa / 187 RSMS Visa) , current position

The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that from March 2018, people who were existing subclass 457 visa holders before April changes will still have access to an employer-sponsored pathway to permanent residency (See: Grandfathering Provisions)

Under the transitional arrangements, 2 years with the same employer on 457 visa and competent English are the main criteria for an ENS visa grant under the transition stream. The age limit is under 50 years for these transitional applicants, as opposed to under 45 for most other applicants.

What does it mean in reality? Essentially, people who for various reasons are not able to get their skills assessed by the relevant skills assessment authority, cannot apply for direct entry stream of an ENS visa.

457 to PR after March 2018 – grandfathering provisions

These visa holders will be able to access certain existing provisions under the TRT stream:

• occupation requirements remain the same (i.e. there are no restrictions as long as the nominee continues to work in the same position for the same employer as approved for their subclass 457 visa);

• the age requirement will remain at less than 50 years of age; and

• the work experience requirement will remain as two out of the three years on a subclass 457, prior to nomination remaining at two years.

Further clarity has been added to other provisions:

• Work experience: At least three years work experience relevant to the particular occupation will be required

•Training requirement: The contribution to the Skilling Australians Fund has applied since August 2018. The contribution is paid in full at the time of nomination and is set at $3000 for businesses with turnovers of less than $10 million dollars, and $5000 for other businesses.

Please note that transitional provisions are only for those 457 visa holders who had their visas granted before 19 April 2017.

457 to PR , questions answered
Impacts for existing 457 visa holders wishing to apply for permanent residence
  • Q: If I hold a 457 visa, can I apply for permanent residence through the TRT stream of the subclass 186 or 187 visa after March 2018?
  • A: Yes, this stream is available to all subclass 457 holders who meet the various requirements. Transitional arrangements will be put in place in March 2018 in relation to certain requirements if you held or applied for your subclass 457 visa before 18 April 2017.
  • Q:If I hold a 457 visa, can I apply for permanent residence through the Direct Entry stream of the subclass 186 or 187 visa after March 2018?
  • A: Yes, this stream is available to all subclass 457 holders who meet the various requirements, including being nominated in an eligible occupation
  • Q: If I turn 45 shortly, can I apply for permanent residence through the subclass 186 or subclass 187 visa?
  • A:No, you will not meet the requirements for a subclass 186 or 187 visa unless:
    • you held or had applied for your subclass 457 on 18 April 2017 and are applying under the TRT stream – see below; or
    • you meet one of the age exemptions for these visa subclasses
  • Q:How do the changes to the subclass 186 and subclass 187 visas affect me if I held my 457 visa before the Government’s announced the changes on 18 April 2017?
  • A:People who held, or had applied for, a subclass 457 visa on 18 April 2017 will be able to access certain existing provisions under the TRT stream:
    • occupation requirements remain the same (ie there are no restrictions as long as the nominee continues to work in the same position for the same employer as approved for their subclass 457 visa)
    • the age requirement will remain at less than 50 years of age; and
    • the work experience requirement, and the requirement to have worked at least two out of the three years prior to nomination on a subclass 457, will remain at two years.

They will, however, be required to meet additional subclass 186 and subclass 187 eligibility criteria that will be in place at that time, including English language requirements and salary arrangements, with the salary now required to be at least the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and the annual market salary rate (the CSIT replaced the TSMIT, which applied from March 2018).

  • Q:If I had not applied for my 457 visa before 18 April 2017, can I apply for permanent residence through the subclass 186 or subclass 187 visa?
  • A: Yes, but you will need to meet the eligibility criteria for the specific visa in effect at the time you apply. This will include:
    • being aged less that 45 years of age at time of application, unless you meet one of the specified age exemptions; and
    • for the TRT stream, having worked in your occupation on your 457, TSS or Skills in Demand visa for at least two years (reduced from three years on 25 November 2023).
  • Q:If I hold a 457 visa, can I apply for permanent residence through the Direct Entry stream of the subclass 186 or 187 visa after March 2018?
  • A: Yes, this stream is available to all subclass 457 holders who meet the various requirements, including being nominated in an eligible occupation
  • Q:If I turn 45 shortly, can I apply for permanent residence through the subclass 186 or subclass 187 visa?
  • A:No, you will not meet the requirements for a subclass 186 or 187 visa unless:
    • you held or had applied for your subclass 457 on or before 18 April 2017 and are applying under the TRT stream – see below; or
    • you meet one of the age exemptions for these visa subclasses
  • Q: How do the changes to the subclass 186 and subclass 187 visas affect me if I held my 457 visa before the Government’s announced the changes on 18 April 2017?
  • A: People who held, or had applied for, a subclass 457 visa on 18 April 2017 will be able to access certain existing provisions under the TRT stream:
    • occupation requirements remain the same (ie there are no restrictions as long as the nominee continues to work in the same position for the same employer as approved for their subclass 457 visa)
    • the age requirement will remain at less than 50 years of age; and
    • the work experience requirement, and the requirement to have worked at least two out of the three years prior to nomination on a subclass 457, will remain at two years.

They will, however, be required to meet additional subclass 186 and subclass 187 eligibility criteria that will be in place at that time, including English language requirements and salary arrangements, with the salary now required to be at least the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) and the annual market salary rate (the CSIT replaced the TSMIT, which applied from March 2018).

  • Q: If I had not applied for my 457 visa before 18 April 2017, can I apply for permanent residence through the subclass 186 or subclass 187 visa?
  • A:Yes, but you will need to meet the eligibility criteria for the specific visa in effect at the time you apply. This will include:
    • being aged less that 45 years of age at time of application, unless you meet one of the specified age exemptions; and
    • for the TRT stream, having worked in your occupation on your 457, TSS or Skills in Demand visa for at least two years (reduced from three years on 25 November 2023).
Am I eligible for a TSS 482 visa?
Employer Sponsored Temporary Transition PathwayIncluding Family Members186 and 187 visa processing times186 and 187 Visa and Nomination fees
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Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS/RSMS) (457 to 186/187) as a pathway to PR

This is the best pathway  for people who are a holder of a temporary 457 visa and wish to stay and live in Australia as a Permanent Resident. If you have been working on  a 457 visa for the same employer (same ABN) for 2 years you could be eligible for a permanent ENS/RSMS visa.

Visa Eligibility

You may be able to apply for Permanent Residency through the transitional stream if you meet the following requirements:

GENERAL

  • Hold a 457 or 482 (TSS or Skills in Demand) visa
  • Have been sponsored (as the primary applicant) by your nominating employer on a 457 Visa for at least two years (since 25 November 2023 this is also two years for other 457 and 482 holders; only time working for an approved sponsor counts)

ENGLISH

  • Competent English- IELTS 6.0 (Unless you are exempt from this English requirement)

or

  • You hold a valid passport from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland.

AGE

  • You are under 50 years of age

or you can be older than 50 years if;

  • You are nominated under an eligible ANZSCO
  • You have been working for your nominating employer on a 457 visa for at least four years immediately before applying, and have been paid equivalent to or above the Fair Work High Income Threshold during this time.

HEALTH & CHARACTER

  • Meet the health, character and age requirements (Unless you are exempt)
457 to PR transition stream

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS/RSMS) (457 to 186/187) as a pathway to PR

Including Family Members in your 186/187 visa application

Including Family Members

GENERAL

Applicants can include the following people in their transitional permanent residency application:

  • Married or de facto partner
  • Dependent children/step-children

ENGLISH

Applicants over 18 must demonstrate Functional English. You can demonstrate Functional English without IELTS if you:

  • Completed all years of primary education and at least three years of secondary education in an educational institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English.

or

  • Completed at least five years of secondary education in an institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English.

AGE

Children 23 years and over cannot be included in your application. (Unless there are exceptional circumstances)

HEALTH & CHARACTER

All family members must meet the health and character requirements. All applicants over 16 must provide police clearances.

Including Family Members

186 and 187 TRT processing times

Processing time (historical, 2019)

Stream 75 per cent of applications processed 90 per cent of applications processed
Temporary Residence Transition stream  10 Months 13 Months
186 and 187 processing times
Detailed 186 and 187 visa fees

186 and 187 visa fees

Government charges from 1 July 2026

A picturesque coastal landscape showing a beach with clear turquoise waters, several boats moored offshore, and a rocky shoreline with lush green vegetation under a clear blue sky.
PERMANENT EMPLOYER NOMINATED SCHEME (ENS) VISA APPLICATION FEE (186 VISA) see details This application is made up of two parts:
Position nomination fee: $540 (paid by the employer)
$6,140 for the main applicant, $3,070 for a partner (and any child over 18) and $1,535 for each child under 18 years of age
PERMANENT REGIONAL SPONSORED MIGRATION SCHEME (RSMS) VISA APPLICATION FEE (187 VISA) see details $6,140 for the main applicant, $3,070 for a partner (and any child over 18) and $1,535 for each child under 18 years of age
Detailed 186 and 187 visa fees
EMPLOYER SPONSORED DIRECT ENTRY PATHWAYIncluding family members186 and 187 visa processing times and fees186 and 187 visa processing times and fees
PreviousNext

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS 186/RSMS 187) Direct Entry Stream

The main difference here compared to the Transition stream is that you would need positive skills assessment

Direct entry stream requirements To qualify for an employer nomination scheme (ENS) VISA through the direct entry stream you must:

  • Have an occupation on the COMBINED LIST OF ELIGIBLE SKILLED OCCUPATIONS FOR 186 VISA (DIRECT ENTRY)
  • Have been successfully nominated by your employer for a permanent position in your nominated occupation under this stream in the 6 months prior to applying for the visa.
  • Have at least three years of relevant work experience at a skilled level (i.e. post qualifying) in your nominated occupation.
  • Have a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation, which is not more than three years old (unless you are exempt from this requirement).
  • Demonstrate you have at least competent English unless you’re exempt from the English requirement
  • Be under 50 years of age unless you’re exempt from the age requirement.
  • At the time of applying, hold any mandatory registration, licence or professional membership required for your occupation in the state where the nominated position is located.
  • Meet health and character requirements.

Including Family Members

GENERAL

Applicants can include the following people in their transitional permanent residency application:

  • Married or de facto partner
  • Dependent children/step-children

ENGLISH

Applicants over 18 must demonstrate Functional English. You can demonstrate Functional English without IELTS if you:

  • Completed all years of primary education and at least three years of secondary education in an educational institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English.

or

  • Completed at least five years of secondary education in an institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English.

AGE

Children 23 years and over cannot be included in your application. (Unless there are exceptional circumstances)

HEALTH & CHARACTER

All family members must meet the health and character requirements. All applicants over 16 must provide police clearances.

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS 186/RSMS 187) Direct Entry Stream

The main difference here compared to the Transition stream is that you would need positive skills assessment

Including Family Members

Including Family Members

GENERAL

Applicants can include the following people in their transitional permanent residency application:

  • Married or de facto partner
  • Dependent children/step-children

ENGLISH

Applicants over 18 must demonstrate Functional English. You can demonstrate Functional English without IELTS if you:

  • Completed all years of primary education and at least three years of secondary education in an educational institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English.

or

  • Completed at least five years of secondary education in an institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English.

AGE

Children 23 years and over cannot be included in your application. (Unless there are exceptional circumstances)

HEALTH & CHARACTER

All family members must meet the health and character requirements. All applicants over 16 must provide police clearances.

186 and 187 Direct processing times

Processing time (historical, 2019)

Stream 75 per cent of applications processed 90 per cent of applications processed
Direct Entry stream 10 Months 14 months
186 and 187 processing times

186 and 187 visa fees

PERMANENT EMPLOYER NOMINATED SCHEME (ENS) VISA APPLICATION FEE (186 VISA) see details This application is made up of two parts:
Position nomination fee: $540 (paid by the employer)
$6,140 for the main applicant, $3,070 for a partner (and any child over 18) and $1,535 for each child under 18 years of age
PERMANENT REGIONAL SPONSORED MIGRATION SCHEME (RSMS) VISA APPLICATION FEE (187 VISA) see details $6,140 for the main applicant, $3,070 for a partner (and any child over 18) and $1,535 for each child under 18 years of age
Detailed 186 and 187 visa fees

Get in touch with your trusted registered Migration Agent in Melbourne and maximise your chances of becoming an Australian permanent resident. Other Temporary to Permanent visa options and how to become an Australian permanent resident: