How to apply for an Employer Nomination Scheme 186 visa?
Similar to applying for other employer sponsored visas, the ENS visa application process involves actions and responsibilities of both employers and sponsored employees.
Step 1: Check if you are eligible for a 186 visa
This visa is issued to help Australian businesses hire a skilled foreign worker where they cannot find an Australian employee to meet their job requirements. Therefore, your occupation must be on the skilled occupation list issued by the Department of Home Affairs.
Secondly, you must check if you satisfy all general requirements of visa 186 together with the specific requirements for the visa stream that you are applying for. Once you meet all the requirements, you can start asking your employer to lodge the nomination for you.
Step 2: Your employer lodges a nomination application
Before you can apply for an ENS visa, your employer must create an account on ImmiAccount and lodge a nomination application to the Department of Home Affairs. The application requirements differ between streams, however generally your employer needs to assure that (1) his/her business is operating lawfully and actively, (2) having you working for this employer is a genuine need, (3) the salary paid to you is in accordance with at least the Australian market salary.
The nomination fee is $540, paid by the employer. There is only one case where your employer does not need to pay the nomination fees, which is when (1) you are applying for either the Labour Agreement or the TRT stream, and (2) your job position is located in regional Australia.
Step 3: You apply for a 186 visa
Before lodging for a 186-visa application, you must prepare all required documents ready to submit. These documents vary depending on which stream you are applying for, but they may include identity documents, skills and qualifications documents, English language certificate, health and character checks, and second applicants’ documents if any.
Importantly, you must lodge the application no later than 6 months after your employer’s nomination is approved by the Department of Home Affairs.