Skilled Regional Visa Subclass 887
Allows individuals who have lived and worked in regional Australia on an eligible visa to apply for permanent residency and settle in Australia permanently.
Overview
The Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887) is a permanent residence visa for holders of eligible regional provisional visas who have lived and worked in regional Australia. This visa rewards your commitment to regional areas by granting permanent residence with the freedom to live and work anywhere in Australia.
The Subclass 887 is a pathway to permanent residence for holders of:
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491)
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 489)
- Skilled Regional Sponsored visa (Subclass 475)
- Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 495)
This visa recognizes your contribution to regional Australia and provides full permanent residence rights including the ability to work anywhere in Australia, access to Medicare, and a pathway to Australian citizenship. With a significantly lower cost (from AUD 505) compared to other skilled visas, it's an affordable pathway to permanent residence for those who have demonstrated commitment to regional areas.
Do You Have What It Takes?
- ✔ Hold or have held an eligible regional provisional visa (Subclass 491, 489, 475, or 495) Have lived in a specified regional area for at least 2 years while holding eligible visa
- ✔ Have worked full-time for at least 1 year (at least 35 hours per week) in specified regional area
- ✔ Comply with all conditions of your eligible provisional visa
- ✔ Apply while holding eligible visa or if visa expired outside Australia during COVID-19 concession period
- ✔ Meet health and character requirements
- ✔ Have no outstanding debts to the Australian government
- ✔ Provide evidence of regional residence through documents like leases, utility bills, employment records
- ✔ Provide evidence of employment through payslips, tax returns, employment contracts
Why Choose This Path?
- Permanent residence with no expiry date or renewal requirements
- Live and work anywhere in Australia - no regional restrictions after visa grant
- Work in any occupation with complete freedom to change employers and careers
- Access Medicare and Australia's public healthcare system
- Enroll in education at Australian institutions with domestic student fees
- Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence visas
- Pathway to Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements (typically 4 years including 12 months as PR)
- Travel freely to and from Australia for 5 years from visa grant date
- Include family members - spouse/partner and dependent children receive permanent residence
Your Roadmap to Success
- Confirm eligibility - check you hold or held eligible visa (Subclass 491, 489, 475, or 495) Verify regional residence requirement ensure you lived in specified regional area for at least 2 years while holding eligible visa
- Verify employment requirement - confirm you worked full-time (35+ hours/week) for at least 1 year in regional area
- Gather evidence documents - collect proof of residence (leases, utility bills, council rates) and employment (payslips, tax returns, employment contracts, group certificates)
- Complete health examinations with approved panel physicians if required
- Obtain police certificates from all countries lived in for 12+ months since age 16
- Lodge visa application through ImmiAccount while holding eligible visa or during concession period
- Pay visa application fee (from AUD 505 for main applicant)
- Upload all supporting documents including evidence of regional living and working
- Receive visa grant notification and enjoy permanent residence anywhere in Australia
Visa Duration
Initial Duration
Permanent
Visa Pathways
Pathway to Australian Citizenship
Subclass 887 visa holders can apply for Australian citizenship after living in Australia for 4 years (including at least 12 months as a permanent resident). Time spent on your provisional regional visa (Subclass 491, 489, 475, or 495) counts toward the 4-year requirement. Must meet character requirements, pass citizenship test, and demonstrate commitment to Australia. Citizenship grants full voting rights, Australian passport, and lifelong residency with no conditions.
Processing times
Costs
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Main Applicant | AUD505.00 | Base visa application fee for primary applicant |
| Partner/Spouse (18+ years) | AUD250.00 | Additional applicant fee |
| Dependent Child (under 18) | AUD130.00 | Per child under 18 years |
Got Questions? We've Got Answers
What is the Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887)?
It’s a permanent visa for people who have lived and worked in a designated regional area of Australia on an eligible provisional regional visa and who meet the visa’s residence, work, health, and character requirements.
Do I need a job offer to apply for the 887 visa?
No, a job offer is not required. You must show that you have worked full-time in a regional area for at least one year and meet other eligibility criteria.
Can I include family members in my 887 visa application?
Yes, you can include eligible family members such as your partner and dependent children. They must meet health and character requirements and be added before the visa decision or later as subsequent entrants.
Is the 887 visa points-tested?
No, the Subclass 887 Visa is not points-tested. Eligibility is based on meeting residence, work, and visa requirements, not on a points system.
Do I need to live in the same regional area for 2 years?
No, you only need to have lived in designated regional areas of Australia for a total of at least two years. It doesn’t have to be the same region.
Can I apply for citizenship after getting the 887 visa?
Yes, the 887 visa grants permanent residency and provides a pathway to Australian citizenship once you meet the residency and character requirements (usually 4 years of lawful residence, including at least 1 year as a permanent resident).
What is the Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887)?
It’s a permanent visa for people who have lived and worked in a designated regional area of Australia on an eligible provisional regional visa and who meet the visa’s residence, work, health, and character requirements.
Do I need a job offer to apply for the 887 visa?
No, a job offer is not required. You must show that you have worked full-time in a regional area for at least one year and meet other eligibility criteria.
Can I include family members in my 887 visa application?
Yes, you can include eligible family members such as your partner and dependent children. They must meet health and character requirements and be added before the visa decision or later as subsequent entrants.
Is the 887 visa points-tested?
No, the Subclass 887 Visa is not points-tested. Eligibility is based on meeting residence, work, and visa requirements, not on a points system.
Do I need to live in the same regional area for 2 years?
No, you only need to have lived in designated regional areas of Australia for a total of at least two years. It doesn’t have to be the same region.
Can I apply for citizenship after getting the 887 visa?
Yes, the 887 visa grants permanent residency and provides a pathway to Australian citizenship once you meet the residency and character requirements (usually 4 years of lawful residence, including at least 1 year as a permanent resident).
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