There are four main pathways from the TSS visa to Permanent Residency.
TSS Visa holders who have been working in Australia with the same employer for three years may be eligible to apply for Permanent Residency through the Transitional Stream.
To be eligible to transition from TSS to permanent residency, your occupation must be on the medium long-term strategic skills list (MLTSSL).
Depending on their location, TSS visa holders will apply through either the Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS — Subclass 186) or the Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (RSMS — Subclass 187). The employer must be willing to sponsor the applicant for permanent residency under the Temporary Residence Transition stream and must lodge a valid nomination with the Department of Home Affairs. The employer must also be willing to pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy.
Employer Sponsored Temporary Transition Stream (ENS / RSMS). This stream is for TSS visa holders who have been sponsored by the same employer for at least three years on a 482 or TSS visa.
General eligibility
Hold a valid 482 TSS Visa
Have been sponsored (as the primary applicant) by your nominating employer on a 482 or TSS Visa for at least three years
Your occupation must be listed on the MLTSSL for 186 applications
Your occupation must be listed on the Regional RSMS Occupation List for 187 applications
English
You must demonstrate competent English unless you are exempt. See 186 & 187 Visa English exemptions.
Age
You must be under 45 years of age unless you are exempt.
Cost estimate
Contact us for a personalised quote — the live calculator from the original site has not been ported in this static rewrite.
Direct Entry (DE) Stream
Employer Sponsored Direct Entry Stream (ENS / RSMS). This stream is for skilled workers who have not been sponsored on a 482 visa for three years but have an Australian employer willing to nominate them for permanent residency.
General eligibility
Hold a valid 482 TSS Visa or be outside Australia
Have an employer willing to nominate you for the 186 (ENS) or 187 (RSMS) visa
Your occupation must be on the MLTSSL for 186 / Regional Occupation List for 187
Have a valid skills assessment for your nominated occupation
English
You must demonstrate competent English unless you are exempt.
Age
You must be under 45 years of age unless you are exempt.
TSS Visa holders who do not have an Australian employer willing to sponsor them for permanent residency may be able to apply through the General Skilled Migration Program.
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (provisional, with PR pathway via 191)
Option 4 — Partner Migration
TSS Visa holders who are in a genuine committed relationship with an Australian citizen, Permanent Resident or eligible New Zealand citizen may be eligible to apply for an Australian Partner Visa.
The Partner Visa offers a two-stage pathway (820/801 onshore or 309/100 offshore) to permanent residency, regardless of your employment situation.
Are you considering the TSS visa route to Permanent Residency?
Many people falsely believe that there is no route to permanent residency through the TSS visa, but this is far from the truth. The 482 visa to PR route is a viable option for many skilled workers.
We are the experts in helping you acquire PR in Australia
If you are considering the TSS visa to PR route, our team can help. We are proud to be one of Australia’s leading specialists in all things related to skilled migration. Our migration agents are highly trained and experienced, and we can help with everything from explaining the finer points of your visa requirements to helping you find potential employers to sponsor you.
Contact us today to find out more
Get in touch with a member of our professional team at any time to arrange a personalised quote or a video consultation.
