The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) — subclass 187 — is an employer-sponsored permanent residence visa for skilled workers employed in regional Australia. It is the regional counterpart to the metropolitan-focused Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).

The Direct Entry stream of the subclass 187 is closed to new applications. The Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream remains open but only for holders of a transitional subclass 457 or transitional subclass 482 visa who are working in regional Australia for their nominating employer. New employer-sponsored permanent residence for regional workers is now processed through the subclass 186 ENS (using the regional areas occupation list) or the points-tested regional provisional pathway (491→191). For current guidance, refer to the DHA subclass 187 page.

• Migration Regulations 1994 — Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) — the visa criteria
• DHA: Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) visa — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/rsms-187
• DHA: Temporary Residence Transition stream — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/187-trt
• DHA: Regional work visas overview — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/regional-visas

Why the Direct Entry stream closed

The Direct Entry stream of the subclass 187 was closed as part of a broader reform of the employer-sponsored migration system. The regional employer-sponsored permanent visa landscape was consolidated, with new regional skilled workers being directed toward the subclass 186 ENS (for permanent employer-sponsored positions) or the 491 (regional provisional, points-tested) pathway. The 187 Direct Entry stream is no longer available for new applications — workers seeking employer-sponsored permanent residence in regional Australia should refer to the subclass 186 ENS page.

TRT stream — who it applies to

The Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the subclass 187 remains available for workers who hold specific transitional visas:

• Holders of a transitional subclass 457 visa (workers who held a subclass 457 before it was replaced by the subclass 482 on 18 March 2018, and have a transitional arrangement in place)
• Holders of a transitional subclass 482 visa in certain circumstances

These transitional visa holders may apply for the subclass 187 TRT if they have been working for their nominating employer in a regional area of Australia and meet the requirements of the TRT stream. The key requirements are:

• The worker must hold the relevant transitional visa
• The worker must have worked for the nominating employer for the required period while in a regional area of Australia
• The employer must be a lawful operating business in a regional area of Australia and be approved to nominate
• The nominated occupation must meet relevant requirements

For current TRT stream requirements and the definition of eligible transitional visas, refer to the DHA TRT stream page.

Regional area requirement

Unlike the subclass 186 ENS, which can apply to positions anywhere in Australia, the subclass 187 has always been specifically for employment in regional Australia. The definition of regional areas for the 187 is set out in the Migration Regulations — it covers areas outside the major metropolitan cities. For the current definition of regional areas relevant to the 187 and to regional migration generally, refer to the regional area definition page.

Current pathways for regional employer-sponsored permanent residence

Workers and employers seeking employer-sponsored permanent residence in regional Australia who are not covered by the subclass 187 TRT stream should consider:

• Subclass 186 ENS (Direct Entry or TRT stream): The 186 can apply to regional positions using the relevant occupation lists
• Subclass 491 → 191 pathway: Points-tested regional provisional visa (subclass 491) that leads to permanent residence (subclass 191) after 3 years of regional living and working — see the regional provisional to PR page

The subclass 187 represents a historical snapshot of Australia's regional employer-sponsored migration framework that has been substantially replaced by the subclass 186 ENS (for permanent residence) and the 491/191 pathway (for points-tested regional PR). Workers in Australia on transitional 457 or 482 visas who may qualify for the 187 TRT should act promptly — the transitional arrangements that give rise to 187 TRT eligibility are closing over time as those visas expire. For current 187 TRT eligibility and processing times, refer to the DHA subclass 187 page.