Important Information about 482 STSOL to PR
Recently immigration announced a new pathway to PR for applicants who are currently in Australia on a 482 visa.
From 1 July 2022, existing 482 TSS visa holders in the short-term (STSOL) occupation stream may be able to apply for permanent residence through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa.
This mainly benefits applicants who are in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, on a 482 visa, and working in an occupation on the STSOL. Everyone else in a regional area, or in an occupation on the MLTSSL, likely already had a pathway to PR through employer sponsorship – Direct Entry Stream.
To be eligible:
Applicants must meet all other nomination and visa requirements for the TRT stream of the ENS visa.
What is the criteria?
- Have been employed in Australia for a minimum of 12 months between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021
- Have worked in the nominated occupation for three years full time in the four years immediately before lodgement on a 186 visa (or a bridging visa in between the 482 visas)
Please note, the pathway will be accessible for two years from its commencement on 1 July 2022. (This means that it currently expires on the 1 Jul 2024). And you would have needed to held the 482 visa for at least 3 years to qualify. Therefore, if the 482 visa was approved in late 2021, you will likely not qualify.
Please note, there recently has been a lot of talk by the government that this could be extended to include other 482 visa holders who do not fall into this category.
Additionally, State Migration is expected to open up again shortly, so you may want to consider the 190 visa.
Please note that the above information is general in nature and you should contact a migration agent to find out more about your specific circumstances.
