Certified Translation for Permanent Residency Visa 186

Certified Translation for Permanent Residency Visa 186

The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa grants permanent residency in Australia to skilled workers sponsored by an approved Australian employer. Because applicants often hold qualifications and personal documents issued overseas, certified translation for permanent residency visa 186 applications is almost always required.

Getting your translations right is critical — errors or missing documents can trigger requests for further information, significantly delaying a decision on a life-changing application.

What Is the Subclass 186 Visa?

The subclass 186 visa provides a pathway to permanent residency through three streams:

• Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream — for holders of a subclass 482 or 457 visa who have worked for their nominating employer for at least two years
• Direct Entry (DE) stream — for workers outside Australia or those who have not yet met the TRT requirements
• Agreement stream — for workers covered by a labour agreement

Regardless of stream, the documentation requirements are extensive and certified translation for 186 visa applications will be required for most non-English documents.

Documents Requiring Certified Translation for Subclass 186

Identity and Civil Documents

• Passport — bio data page and relevant pages with visas or stamps if not in English
• Birth certificate — to verify identity and date of birth
• Marriage certificate — if including a partner as a secondary applicant
• Change of name documents — deed poll or statutory declarations

Skills and Qualifications

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates — required for skills assessment by the relevant authority (e.g. Engineers Australia, VETASSESS)
• Diplomas, certificates, and trade qualifications — any overseas credentials used to meet the skills requirement
• Professional registration documents — overseas licences or registrations relevant to the nominated occupation

Employment Evidence

• Employment contracts — covering overseas work history relevant to the skills assessment
• Reference letters and payslips — demonstrating work experience in the nominated occupation

Character Documents

• Police clearance certificates — required from every country lived in for 12 months or more over the past 10 years. All non-English clearances require certified translation for permanent residency visa 186.
• Court records — if character issues must be addressed

Skills Assessment and Certified Translation

Many skills assessing authorities have their own translation requirements. For example, Engineers Australia and VETASSESS require certified translations of overseas qualifications. In many cases, applicants organise translations for both the skills assessment and the visa application — however, a single NAATI-certified translation is typically acceptable for both purposes.

Police Clearances: A Critical Step

Obtaining and translating police clearance certificates is often the most time-consuming part of a subclass 186 application. Processing times vary widely — from a few days to several months. Once received, non-English police clearances must be accompanied by a NAATI certified translation before submission to the Department. Order police clearances and translations as early as possible.

Secondary Applicants

If your partner or dependent children are included in the application, their non-English documents also require certified translation for permanent residency visa 186, including:

• Partner's birth certificate and passport
• Marriage certificate or evidence of de facto relationship
• Children's birth certificates and police clearances (if aged 16 or over)
• Adoption orders or legal guardianship documents

Format Requirements

Each translation submitted to the Department must include:

1. A complete, accurate translation of all text in the original document
2. A description of any stamps, seals, handwriting, or annotations
3. The translator's full name, NAATI credential number, and contact details
4. A signed declaration confirming the translation is accurate and complete
5. The date the translation was produced

Important: Translations prepared by the applicant, their family, or an unaccredited person are not accepted. Only NAATI-accredited translators are acceptable for certified translation permanent residency visa 186 applications.

How Long Does Translation Take?

Most standard documents are translated within 24 to 48 hours when ordered online. Complex documents may take slightly longer. For online lodgements through ImmiAccount, digital PDF translations are accepted.

Ready to Get Your Documents Translated?

Ready to get started? Get your certified translation today — upload your document, compare quotes from NAATI-certified translators, and receive your translation within 48 hours.