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Subclass 186 Permanent Visa Granted for Glassworker Who Overcame IELTS and Age Deadline

Visa TypeSubclass 186
CategoryEmployer Sponsored

Case Summary

A skilled glassworker who faced both an approaching age limit and an IELTS requirement he had never previously attempted successfully satisfied both hurdles — achieving the minimum IELTS scores just in time — and was granted a Subclass 186 permanent visa with no request for further information.

Background

The applicant, a skilled glassworker, was valued by his Australian employer and had been working there for many years. The employer was willing to sponsor him for a Subclass 186 permanent visa, but two critical challenges stood in the way: he was approaching the age of 45, beyond which he would become ineligible; and the visa required a minimum IELTS score of 6 in all four bands — a significant hurdle given his limited English foundation. The time pressure to achieve both was immense.

Challenges

  • Approaching the age of 45, beyond which the applicant would become ineligible for the Subclass 186 visa
  • Required IELTS 6 minimum in all four bands despite a weak English foundation — a substantial individual challenge
  • Both age and language hurdles needed to be cleared simultaneously under extreme time pressure

How We Helped

We immediately devised a dual-track strategy. For the IELTS, we provided clear exam preparation guidance, resource recommendations, and ongoing encouragement — the applicant dedicated himself to studying outside work hours and achieved the required minimum score in all four bands just before the age cutoff. Concurrently, we assembled the complete 186 visa application: preparing the nomination, demonstrating the genuineness of the position and the applicant's competence, and systematically compiling all skills, work experience, and employer-employee relationship evidence. The moment the IELTS results were received, the completed application was lodged without delay.

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Key Success Factors

  • Dual-track strategy running IELTS preparation and application assembly in parallel to minimise time lost after results arrived
  • Sustained encouragement and practical guidance through what proved to be a lengthy and demanding IELTS preparation period
  • Complete and decision-ready application prepared in advance so lodgement was immediate upon receipt of the IELTS results
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Outcome

The Department of Home Affairs granted the Subclass 186 permanent visa with no request for further information, securing permanent residency for the applicant and his family before he exceeded the age limit.

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