186 Direct Entry — Permanent Residency
Skip the Temporary Visa. Go Straight to PR.
If you have 3 or more years of recent, relevant experience in an eligible occupation — and the right employer — you may not need a 482 visa at all. The 186 Direct Entry stream offers the fastest route from skilled professional to Australian Permanent Resident.
Check My 186 DE Eligibility — FreeWhy Most Agents Don't Offer This
The 186 Direct Entry stream is harder to manage than a 482 — higher evidentiary standards, stricter occupation alignment, and a skills assessment that must be airtight. Many consultancies default to 482 even for clients who qualify for DE, because 482 is simpler for the agent — not better for you.
Senior Placement. Permanent Outcome.
RedBridge assesses whether you genuinely qualify for 186 DE before recommending it. If you do, we connect you to employers in our network who are willing to nominate directly for permanent residency — and we manage the process end-to-end through Insight Idea.
The 186 DE Process
01
Eligibility Audit
Occupation check, 3-year experience verification, age assessment (under 45), and skills assessment status review — we confirm the DE stream is your correct path before anything else.
02
Skills Assessment
If your skills assessment is not yet complete, we coordinate ACS, AMI, CAANZ, or EA submission alongside your employer search.
03
Employer Match for DE Nomination
We identify employers in our network willing to nominate directly for a 186 permanent visa — a different conversation to 482, and one we are prepared for.
04
186 Visa Lodgement
Nomination and visa application lodged and managed by Insight Idea, our MARN 1467870 licensed migration agent partner.
Real Outcome
Senior Software Engineer · 6 years exp · onshore 482
9 months to PR · 482 → 186 DE"I was already on a 482 but my employer wasn't set up for 186 nominations. I didn't want another temporary visa cycle."
"RedBridge connected me with an employer in their corporate network who was ready to nominate directly for 186. Permanent residency granted nine months after I started."
Who Qualifies for 186 DE
3 years of recent, full-time experience in your nominated ANZSCO occupation
Completed skills assessment (ACS, AMI, CAANZ, EA)
Occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Under 45 years of age at time of visa application
Typical Timeline
6–18 months from completed skills assessment to 186 visa grant
Honest note: The 186 DE stream is only appropriate if your skills assessment is complete, your experience is well-documented, and your employer is committed. We will tell you clearly if the TRT stream — via 482 first — is actually the safer route for your situation.
Common Questions
How is 186 Direct Entry different from the 186 TRT stream?
The TRT stream requires you to hold a 482 visa and work with your sponsoring employer for 2 years first. Direct Entry bypasses the temporary visa entirely — you apply for PR directly, provided you have 3 years of qualifying recent experience and a willing employer.
Can I apply from outside Australia?
Yes. The 186 Direct Entry stream can be lodged onshore or offshore. Your location at time of lodgement does not affect eligibility, though processing times may vary.
What if I turn 45 during the process?
The age limit applies at time of visa application, not nomination. If you are approaching 45, we will time the process carefully to ensure lodgement before the cut-off — this is something we monitor proactively.
Does overseas work experience count?
Yes, provided it is in your nominated ANZSCO occupation, full-time or equivalent, within the last 5 years, and properly documented. Overseas experience is accepted — but documentation standards are strict. We audit your records before lodgement.
Other Employer Pathways