The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 visa, particularly the Direct Entry stream, offers a pathway for skilled workers to achieve permanent residency in Australia^1^9. This visa allows Australian employers to nominate foreign workers to fill highly skilled positions when they cannot find suitable candidates in the local labor market^1^9. To be eligible for the Direct Entry stream, both the applicant and the employer must meet specific criteria^1.

Here’s a detailed guide to the 186 Visa Direct Entry stream:

1. Employer Nomination: To apply for the 186 Visa, you must be nominated by an Australian employer^1^3. The employer must be actively and lawfully operating in Australia and demonstrate a genuine need for you to fill a full-time position for at least two years^8.
2. Eligible Occupation: The nominated occupation must be on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)^3^9. Note that certain occupations may have additional requirements related to salary, the employer’s type of business, or the position’s nature^8.
3. Skills Assessment: A positive skills assessment from a relevant assessing authority is generally required to confirm that your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards^1^5.
4. Work Experience: You must have a minimum of three years of full-time, skilled work experience in your nominated occupation^1^5. This experience should be relevant and at the skill level necessary for the position^5.
5. Age Requirement: In most cases, you must be under 45 years old at the time of application^1^3. However, some exemptions may apply^2.
6. English Proficiency: You need to demonstrate competent English language skills^3^8. This can be proven through a valid passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland, or by achieving the minimum required scores on tests such as IELTS, OET, TOEFL iBT, PTE, or CAE^8.
7. Health and Character: You must meet the Australian health standards by passing a medical examination^3. Additionally, you’ll need to provide police clearances to demonstrate good character^3.
8. Visa Application: Once your employer’s nomination is approved, you can lodge your visa application with the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA)^4. The visa application can be submitted either simultaneously with the nomination application or within six months of its approval^8.
9. Permanent Residency: If both the nomination and visa applications are approved, you will be granted a permanent subclass 186 Employer Nomination visa, allowing you to live and work in Australia indefinitely^1^9. You can be inside or outside Australia when the visa is granted^8.