Visa 186 Application Process: Step by Step From Nomination to Grant
Visa 186 is not a lodge-and-wait application. The process has two parallel steps: the business lodges a nomination, and the individual lodges a visa application. Understanding the order and the documents needed helps you avoid unnecessary delays.
Process overview
Step 1: Business lodges the Nomination (via ImmiAccount)
Step 2: Individual lodges the Visa Application (via ImmiAccount)
[These two steps can be lodged at the same time]
Step 3: Department of Home Affairs assesses — health + character check
Step 4: Decision & GrantThe nomination and the visa application can be lodged at the same time. The Department of Home Affairs usually assesses the nomination before the visa.
Step 1 — Business lodges the Nomination
The business must be (or register to become) a Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) before lodging the nomination. If it does not yet hold SBS status, it needs to lodge an SBS application first — which usually takes a few weeks.
The nomination includes:
- Information about the position (ANZSCO code, job description, salary)
- Evidence the business is eligible to sponsor (a lawful, operating business)
- For TRT: evidence the worker has worked the required 2 years in the correct occupation (Form 888 from a supervisor, payslips, contract)
- For DE: evidence that the position could not be filled locally (labour market testing) in some cases
Nomination fee: In addition to the visa fee, the business must also pay a separate nomination fee — check the current fee schedule from the Department of Home Affairs.
Step 2 — Individual lodges the Visa Application
The visa application is lodged through ImmiAccount. You need to provide:
Basic documents:
- A valid passport
- A photo to the required specification
- A birth certificate (if requested)
- Evidence of family relationships (if you have accompanying family)
Documents proving the visa conditions:
- TRT: Evidence of your work time with the sponsoring employer (Form 888, employment contract, payslips)
- DE: Skills Assessment certificate, and evidence of 3 years of experience
English requirement: IELTS/PTE/OET/TOEFL result (if not exempt)
Form 80: Personal particulars declaration (the Department of Home Affairs may require it)
Visa fee invoice: Visa fee reference: 6,140 AUD for the primary applicant. Each family member as a secondary applicant must pay a separate fee.
Step 3 — Health and character
After lodgement, the Department of Home Affairs will:
- Send a letter inviting you to complete the immigration health examination (via ImmiAccount/email)
- Possibly request further documents (an s.56 request)
- Assess your character (based on Form 80 and the records you submit)
Timing in this stage: The health examination takes 1-2 weeks from when you book it. The results are sent directly to the Department of Home Affairs.
Step 4 — Decision
Processing time varies by stage and by application — some applications are noticeably faster or slower. Check the Department of Home Affairs’ Global visa processing times tool for current figures.
After a grant, you receive notification through ImmiAccount. Visa 186 has no physical card — the visa status is linked to your electronic passport.
Onshore or offshore
You can lodge while you are inside Australia (onshore) or overseas (offshore). Most TRT applications are lodged onshore because the worker is already working in Australia.
If offshore, you need to enter Australia after the grant within the specified period (usually 1 year).
Bridging Visa A
If you are inside Australia on a temporary visa (such as a 482) and lodge a 186 before your current visa expires, you will be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA) automatically. The BVA lets you continue to stay and work while your 186 application is being processed.