The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa Subclass 187 was one of Australia’s key employer-sponsored permanent residency pathways for skilled workers willing to live and work in regional Australia. It allowed regional employers to sponsor overseas skilled workers to fill labour shortages in designated regional areas.
Although the Subclass 187 Visa has now been closed to most new applications and replaced by the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 494, it still remains relevant for certain transitional applicants and existing visa holders.
In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about the RSMS Subclass 187 Visa, including its purpose, streams, eligibility requirements, benefits, and the transition to newer regional migration pathways.
The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa Subclass 187 was a permanent residency visa for skilled workers nominated by employers located in regional Australia.
The visa allowed eligible applicants to:
The program was specifically designed to support regional Australian businesses facing skilled labour shortages.
The Direct Entry stream of the Subclass 187 Visa was closed to new applications on 16 November 2019 and replaced by the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 494.
However, certain transitional applicants under the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream may still be eligible in limited situations.
The Subclass 187 Visa granted permanent residency status in Australia.
Visa holders could live and work in designated regional areas across Australia.
Permanent residents could access Australia’s public healthcare system.
Eligible family members could be included in the application.
Eligible applicants could later apply for Australian citizenship.
The RSMS Visa previously had two main streams:
This stream was for skilled workers who:
This stream remains available for certain transitional applicants.
The Direct Entry stream allowed skilled workers to apply directly for permanent residency through regional employer sponsorship.
This stream closed to new applications in November 2019 following the introduction of the Subclass 494 Visa.
Applicants under this stream generally required:
Applicants generally needed to:
Eligibility varied depending on the stream and transitional arrangements.
The sponsoring employer generally needed to:
The Subclass 187 Visa specifically targeted regional Australia.
Major metropolitan areas such as:
were generally excluded from the program.
Regional areas offered:
Applicants generally needed to demonstrate competent English through approved tests such as:
Required scores varied depending on the stream and exemptions.
Eligible occupations were based on Australia’s skilled occupation lists and regional labour demands.
Common occupations included:
Occupation eligibility changed over time based on government policies.
The Australian Government replaced the 187 Visa with the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 494 to modernize regional migration pathways.
The Subclass 494 Visa now serves as the primary regional employer-sponsored pathway with a route to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Visa.
Applicants and employers may face:
Professional migration support can help reduce risks and improve application quality.
Navigating Australia’s regional employer-sponsored visa system can be complex, especially with changing migration policies and transitional visa arrangements. At Orbit Global Mobility & Migration Advisory, we provide expert guidance and end-to-end support for skilled workers and employers across Australia’s migration pathways.
Our services include:
Our experienced migration professionals work closely with applicants and employers to simplify the migration process, reduce delays, and improve visa success rates.
Whether you are exploring regional migration opportunities or transitioning to permanent residency in Australia, Orbit Global Mobility & Migration Advisory provides trusted support tailored to your migration goals.
The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa Subclass 187 played a major role in supporting regional Australia’s workforce needs and helping skilled migrants achieve permanent residency.
While the visa has largely been replaced by newer regional migration programs, it remains an important part of Australia’s migration history and continues to apply to certain transitional applicants.
Today, regional migration pathways such as Subclass 494 and Subclass 191 continue to offer excellent opportunities for skilled workers seeking long-term settlement and career growth in Australia.