New rules for 482 visa to permanent residency

All holders of the TSS (subclass 482) visa now have a pathway to permanent residency through the 186 visa. Following an earlier announcement, the Department of Home Affairs has officially the new rules for 482 visa to permanent residency and declared that all TSS visa holders can seek permanent residency through the Employer Nominated Scheme (186 visa) under the Temporary Residence Transition stream.

This update applies to TSS visa holders sponsored under any occupation list: Short-term (STSOL), Long-term (MLTSSL), or Regional Occupation List (ROL).

The Department has indicated that these changes are slated to begin on 25 November 2023, pending regulatory approval.

Additionally, the required period of employment for TSS 482 visa holders has been reduced from three years to two with the most recent sponsoring employer.

For short-term (STSOL) stream applications made within Australia, the existing cap will be lifted. This means applicants can apply for a third or subsequent short-term stream TSS visa without leaving the country.

Furthermore, age exemption criteria for regional medical practitioners and high-income earners over 45 will be adjusted, allowing for a two-year pathway to residency, a reduction from the previous three-year requirement.

Read more about the 482 visa here.