Visa subclass 187 · Employer-sponsored · permanent · closed
Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (closed to new): 2026 eligibility, points and processing
The 187 RSMS closed to new applications on 16 November 2019 when it was replaced by the 494 (provisional) and 191 (PR) pathway. Existing 187 holders retain their PR. Some legacy pathways for pre-2019 nominations may still be processed.
★Key takeaways
- ✓Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (closed to new) is a permanent visa for employer-sponsored applicants.
- ✓No points test – eligibility is sponsorship + skills assessment + work experience based.
- ✓Processing: n/a median (source: Department of Home Affairs).
- ✓Closed to new applications – existing holders unaffected.
- ✓Path to PR: Existing 187 holders: already PR.
At a glance
Stream
permanent, closed to new applications
Age limit
Closed to new applications.
Work rights
Existing holders: unrestricted PR work rights nationally.
Path to PR
Existing 187 holders: already PR.
Eligibility
Eligibility checklist
Every box below must tick before lodgement. Missing any one of them either makes the visa impossible or pushes the applicant into a different subclass.
- Closed to new applications from 16 November 2019
- Existing 187 holders retain unrestricted PR work rights
- No new pathway: the 494 + 191 combination replaces it for regional employer-sponsored PR
Processing time
How long does it take?
Published by Home Affairs as 25th, 50th and 90th percentile times. Individual processing can be faster or slower depending on documentation, country of passport and decision-ready status.
| 25% of applications | 50% (median) | 90% of applications |
|---|---|---|
| n/a | n/a | n/a (closed) |
Department of Home Affairs. See current processing times across all subclasses.
Cost
Visa Application Charge
| Applicant | VAC1 (lodgement) |
|---|---|
| Primary applicant | n/a |
| Partner (secondary) | n/a |
| Child (secondary) | n/a |
Closed to new applications.
In depth
What you actually need to know
The 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme was Australia’s primary regional employer-sponsored PR visa from 1999 to 2019. It allowed regional employers to directly sponsor skilled workers for permanent residence (in contrast to the temporary 482 pathway in metropolitan areas).
It closed to new applications on 16 November 2019 as part of the Skilled Migration reforms. The replacement is the 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Provisional) for 5 years, transitioning to 191 PR after 3 years of regional residence and income.
Existing 187 visa-holders retain their permanent residence and have unrestricted work rights nationally – the 187 was always a PR visa with no enforceable geographic conditions post-grant. If you hold a 187, you do not need to do anything; your PR is intact and citizenship eligibility runs on standard PR timelines.
Visa conditions to know
- Closed
Occupations covered
Historical RSMS list – not current.
Pathway to permanent residence
Existing 187 holders: already PR.
Common questions
Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (closed to new) – common questions
Can I still apply for a 187?
No. The 187 closed to new applications on 16 November 2019. The current regional employer-sponsored pathway is the 494 provisional visa, transitioning to 191 PR after 3 years.
I have a 187 – do I need to do anything?
No. A granted 187 is permanent residence. Your PR is intact. Standard rules for maintaining residence to qualify for a Resident Return Visa at the 5-year mark apply.
What is the equivalent today?
The 494 (5-year provisional employer-sponsored regional) leading to 191 (PR after 3 years of regional residence and income above the threshold).
Why was the 187 closed?
The Department’s Migration Strategy moved towards provisional-to-permanent pathways across the regional skilled program. The 187 (direct PR from employer nomination) was replaced by a 5-year provisional period (494) to ensure that regional skilled migrants genuinely settle in the region before being granted PR.
Source
Primary source for this page
Information on this page is summarised from the Department of Home Affairs visa listing for subclass 187. Always confirm details against the primary source before lodging.
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