457 to PR (Permanent Residency)

Select the option that applies to you

You have been working for the same employer for two years.

Temporary Residence Transition Stream (TRT)

Option 1

GENERAL
Hold a valid 457 Visa
Have been sponsored (as the primary applicant) by your nominating employer on a 457 Visa for at least two years

WORK EXPERIENCE
You must have at least 3 years work experience in total (Only two of these years need to be with your current employer)

SKILLS
Generally, when transitioning from 457 to permanent residency, you will not need to perform a skill assessment.

OCCUPATION
If your occupation has been removed from the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List MLTSSL, you can still apply for permanent residency through the transitional stream.

ENGLISH
You must demonstrate competent English unless you are exempt. See 186 & 187 Visa English exemptions

A common exemption is the school English exemption, outlines below:

You must have completed at least five years of full-time study in secondary or higher education where the medium of instruction was delivered in English. (Example: You have English certificates from your high school and college. You may have used these to apply for your 457 or 482 Visa)

AGE
You are under 50 years of age unless you are exempt. See 186 & 187 Visa age exemptions

HEALTH & CHARACTER
Meet the health and character requirements (Unless you are exempt)

NOMINATION
You must be nominated by an Australian employer and apply for the 186 or 187 visa within 6 months of the nomination being approved (If the visa and nomination applications were not lodged at the same time)

The visa will not be granted if the nomination is withdrawn. The Department does not link new nominations to existing visa applications

457 Visa holders who have been working in Australia with the same employer for two years may be eligible to apply for Permanent Residency through the Transitional Stream.

Depending on their location, 457 visa holders will apply through either the Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) or the Regional Employer Sponsored Scheme (RSMS).

The employer must be willing to sponsor the applicant for permanent residency under the Temporary Residence Transition stream and must lodge a valid nomination with the Department of Home Affairs. This is one of the most common pathways to permanent residency and has many benefits.

If you don’t already hold a 457 visa and would like to work in Australia, the TSS visa (Subclass 482) is the new Australian temporary work visa.

Option 1

Eligibility

You have been working for the same employer for LESS than two.

Option 2

Option 3

Option 4

Your employer is not willing to sponsor you for Permanent Residency or citizen.

Your employer is not willing to sponsor you for Permanent Residency.

Overview

Option 2

Direct Entry Stream (DE)

457 Visa holders who have not been in Australia for two years, or who have changed employers while working in Australia, may still be eligible to apply for Permanent Residency through the Direct Entry Stream.

Applicants must have an employer willing to sponsor them for permanent residency.

Skilling Australians Fund levy

Employers will be required to pay the new Skilling Australians Fund levy for all 457 to Permanent 186 or 187 Visa applications. The levy is payable in full at the time of application.

SMALL BUSINESSES (ANNUAL TURNOVER LESS THAN $10 MILLION) – $3,000
OTHER BUSINESSES (ANNUAL TURNOVER MORE THAN $10 MILLION) – $5,000

The Business must pay the levy, the applicant cannot make any payment towards the SAF levy. There are no exemptions.

Overview

Eligibility

WORK EXPERIENCE
You must have at least 3 years work experience in your nominated occupation

SKILLS
You will need to undertake a skill assessment before applying for a 186 or 187 Visa through the direct entry stream unless exempt. See 186 & 187 Visa skill exemptions

OCCUPATION
186 Visa (ENS) Applicants
Your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

187 Visa (RSMS) Applicants
Your occupation must be on the Regional Occupation List (ROL)

ENGLISH
You must demonstrate competent English
Don’t meet this requirement? Click here to increase your English score.

AGE
You are under 45 years of age or you can be older than 45 years if you are nominated under an eligible ANZCO.

HEALTH & CHARACTER
Meet the health and character requirements (Unless you are exempt)

Option 3

457 Visa holders who do not have an Australian employer willing to sponsor them for permanent residency may be able to apply through the General Skilled Migration Program.

Option 4

457 Visa holders who are in a genuine committed relationship with an Australian citizen, Permanent Resident or eligible New Zealand citizen may be eligible to apply for an Australian Partner Visa.

Get a quote

Let one of our experienced migration agents assess of all your pathways to Permanent Residency. We will look at all visas available to you and determine which option is best for your individual situation. Our Agents specialise in Employer Sponsored 457 to Permanent Residency transitional visa applications and can determine your eligibility for this visa in a professional and timely manner.

Book a consultation

Here at Australian Skilled Migration, our team of Registered Migration Agents are dedicated to helping you become an Australian permanent resident in the fastest way possible.The best way to find out if you can apply for Permanent Residency is to speak to a migration agent. Don’t risk your future in Australia by applying for PR with incorrect information.