Understanding the 186 visa processing time is essential for skilled individuals overseas who wish to work and gain permanent residency in Australia. The application process can often feel complex and time-consuming, making it important for applicants to carefully prepare and submit accurate documentation. Processing times may vary depending on factors such as the completeness of the application, occupation demand, and individual circumstances. To help applicants navigate the process with greater confidence, we have provided complete details about the 186 visa processing time and the key factors that may affect it.
What Is A Subclass 186 Visa?
Visa subclass 186 is an Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) program that allows skilled workers from overseas to live and work in Australia permanently. The visa is sponsored by the approved employers using three distinct streams.
- Direct Entry Stream.
- Labour Agreement Stream.
- Temporary Residence Transition (TRT).
According to the latest updates, the employer nomination scheme subclass 186 allows you to work and stay in the designated regional area in Australia. The employer can nominate the skilled workers who resonate with the healthcare, IT, engineering, trading, and teaching occupations.
Read More: Important Guidelines for Applying for an Australian State Nomination Visa
What Is The Current 186 Visa Processing Time?
The 186 visa processing time can vary depending on the stream, visa circumstances, and the details in the applications. Even if everything goes in the right direction, it might take between 12 and 19 months on average to complete the visa approval process. When considering the pathway, the approximate processing can be broken down as follows.
- Direct Entry: The visa 186 processing times for direct entry may take 9 months for 50% of applicants and 15 months for almost 90% of applicants.
- Labour Agreement: If your documents are right, then a 186 visa approval under the labour agreement may take 8 months to 9 months.
- Temporary Residence Transition (TRT): The applicant who has applied under the TRT stream needs to wait for 10 to 15 months for the subclass 186 visa approval.
Besides, outdated or insufficient documents and workload in the Department of Home Affairs are some of the other factors that can cause delays in the visa approval. Let’s have a look at the factors that influence your 186 visa processing time in detail.
What Are The Factors That Influence Visa 186 Processing Times?
Applicants often make common mistakes during the submission of the subclass 186 Visa application, which leads to delays and even rejections. Here, we have provided some of the factors that you need to consider while filling out your application to avoid mistakes and delays.
- Consistency and Accuracy of Application: Missing or misleading information in your visa application can cause delays or rejection of your visa.
- Documentation Verification: Delays can occur in the visa processing time if the required documents are not proper, updated, or missing, which the Department of Home Affairs can ask you to submit.
- Health and Character Check: If any concerns are identified during the health examination and background checks, it can result in additional processing time.
- Nominated Approval Time: In case your employer fails to meet the criteria, such as the ability to pay market-rate salary, nominate for a genuine occupation, operate lawfully in Australia, or any other legal issues, then it may delay your application processing time.
- Occupational Demand and Case Load: If the applicant has applied for the highly demanding skills in the occupational list, it may take time for processing and can cause delays.
- Policy or Legislative Changes: Any changes in the legislative or immigration policy can push the visa processing times.
How To Avoid Delays In The 186 Visa Processing Time?
The processing time for the subclass 186 Visa can’t be guaranteed, but you can minimise unnecessary delays by staying updated with the changes in migration policies. Here is how you can avoid the time-consuming process while applying for a 186 visa.
- Ensure to mention all the information in your visa application as asked by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Maintain each detail of your sponsorship information and about family members to reduce the likelihood of processing delays.
- Ensure the eligibility of your employer by analysing their lawful practice, complying with workplace law, and capacity to pay the market salary for at least 2 years.
- Include your work experience, bridging visa status, criminal history, required skill assessment, and answer truthfully for faster visa approval.
- Work with an experienced migration agent to avoid mistakes and inaccuracies of visa 186.
How Does A Professional Migration Agent Perth Help With 186 Visa Processing?
Any mistake or incomplete information on your application may result in delays in your 186 visa processing time. The best migration agent Perth can help you avoid such mistakes by providing professional assistance to accurately draft your application, arranging the required documents, and notifying you in case of policy changes on time. So, consider hiring an expert migration consultant in Perth to navigate the visa approval process with confidence and minimise delays by coordinating with the appropriate departments.
FAQs
1. Can I apply for permanent resident after an 186 visa approval?
The employer nomination scheme subclass 186 is itself a permanent visa; you already hold a PR that allows you to live, study, and work in Australia.
2. How long does it take to get the PR after the approval of visa 186?
Once your 186 visa is approved, your permanent residence is also considered as approved simultaneously.
3. Does nomination approval influence the 186 visa processing time?
Yes, the Department of Home Affairs in Australia cannot grant your 186 visa without approving your employer’s nomination, and delays in that process can influence your visa 186 processing time.
4. Why are visa 186 processing times longer for direct entry?
The 186 visa processing time is longer when applying through the direct stream because it has high application volume, complex qualification assessment, strict verification procedure, and intense employer nomination.
5. How can a professional migration agent help minimise the 186 visa processing time?
A registered migration agent can easily coordinate with the departments, ensure complete and accurate application submission, and assist you in health and character assessment for seamless and easy visa approval.
