Subclass 187 Is Closed: What Replaced the RSMS Visa (494 and 191)
If you searched for the subclass 187 visa, the short answer is that the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) is closed to new applications. The employer-sponsored route into regional Australia now runs through the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) and, after that, the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191). This guide explains how the pieces fit.
Is the subclass 187 visa still open?
No. The Department of Home Affairs lists the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) as closed to new applications. Only the Temporary Residence Transition stream remains open, and only to transitional 457 workers and transitional 482 workers. The direct entry stream closed on 16 November 2019 when the 494 was introduced.
If you do not already hold a qualifying 457 or 482 visa from the transition period, you cannot apply for the 187. Applications that were lodged in the past are still processed under Ministerial Direction 122, which covers provisional and permanent skilled visas, including the 187, 191 and 494.
The replacement: Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
The 494 is for people sponsored by an employer in regional Australia. Home Affairs describes it as a visa that lets you live, work and study only in a designated regional area for five years.
- Employer sponsorship. An approved regional employer must nominate you for a real, available role.
- Regional restriction. You must live and work in a designated regional area while you hold the visa.
- Five-year term. It is a provisional visa, not permanent residence.
- Pathway to permanent residence. After meeting the residence conditions, you can apply for the 191.
If you are looking for employer-sponsored options generally, our employer-sponsored visa guide covers the wider choices.
The permanent step: Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191)
The 191 is a permanent visa for workers who hold an eligible regional provisional visa. Holders of the 491 and the 494 can apply once they have lived and worked in regional Australia for the required period.
- You must have held an eligible regional provisional visa for the required period, which has been three years.
- You must have lived and worked in a designated regional area while on that visa.
187 compared with 494 and 191
| Subclass 187 (RSMS) | Subclass 494 | Subclass 191 | |
| Status | Closed. Only the Temporary Residence Transition stream remains. | Open | Open to eligible provisional visa holders |
| Visa type | Permanent | Provisional, five years | Permanent |
| Sponsor | Employer | Employer in a regional area | No sponsor needed |
| Where you can live | Anywhere in the regional area for the sponsor | Designated regional area only | Anywhere in Australia once granted |
Other regional routes
Home Affairs lists two skilled regional provisional visas: the 491, for people nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible family member, and the 494, for people sponsored by an employer. The older Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) is closed to new applications. Our guide to state nomination fees and invitation rounds covers the 491.
What to do if your plans relied on the 187
- Check whether you hold a transitional 457 or 482 visa. If you do, the Temporary Residence Transition stream may still apply to you.
- Ask your employer about the 494. The employer needs to be able to sponsor in a regional area.
- Check your occupation and area. The regional rules depend on both.
- Consider other routes. A state-nominated 190 or 491, or a 189 invitation, may suit you better. See our guide to moving to Australia without a job offer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still apply for the RSMS 187 visa?
Only if you meet the Temporary Residence Transition stream, which is limited to transitional 457 and 482 workers. Otherwise the visa is closed.
Is the 494 visa permanent?
No. It is a provisional visa valid for five years. You can apply for the 191 permanent visa if you meet the conditions.
How long does the 187 or 494 take to process?
Processing follows the priorities in Ministerial Direction 122, which took effect on 19 September 2026. Sector, location and whether you applied from inside Australia can affect timing. Check the Home Affairs processing times guide for current estimates.
Which regional areas count?
Designated regional areas are defined by Home Affairs by postcode. Check the current list before you accept a job or sign a lease.
Talk to us about your regional pathway
Regional visas depend on your employer, occupation and location. Start with a visa eligibility assessment and we will assess whether the 494, 491, 190 or 189 is the right fit.