The Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887) is a permanent residency visa designed for individuals who have already lived and worked in regional Australia under a qualifying temporary visa. It rewards those who contribute to Australia’s regional growth with the opportunity to settle permanently. This blog explains all you need to know about the 887 visa: eligibility criteria, step-by-step process, key benefits, and post-grant obligations.

 

🌏 What is the Subclass 887 Visa?

The 887 visa is for skilled migrants who have lived and worked in designated regional areas of Australia while holding an eligible provisional visa. It is a permanent visa, offering the holder unrestricted rights to live, work, and study in Australia.

🧾 What You Can Do With This Visa

• Stay in Australia permanently
• Work and study without restriction
• Enrol in Medicare (Australia’s public health system)
• Sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia
• Travel in and out of Australia for 5 years
• Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible)

✅ Key Eligibility Requirements

1. You must hold an eligible visa

At the time of applying, you must hold one of the following:

• Subclass 489, 495, 496, 475, or 487 visas
• Bridging visa A or B (if lodged after a valid application for one of the above)
• During COVID-19 concession periods: expired eligible visas may still qualify under special circumstances

You must have held the eligible visa for at least 2 years, as the primary applicant or as a partner of a primary applicant.

2. Meet the residency requirement

You must have lived in regional or designated areas of Australia for at least 2 years. This depends on the conditions of your original visa:

• State/territory nomination → You must have lived in a regional or low-population growth area.
• Family sponsorship → You must have lived in a designated area.

3. Meet the work requirement

You must have worked full-time (35+ hours/week) for at least 12 months in the same regional area. This can include:

• Multiple part-time jobs combined
• Any type of work (not limited to your nominated occupation)

4. Complied with visa conditions

You and your family must have complied with all conditions of your eligible temporary visa.

5. Functional English requirement

You must:

• Have functional English, or
• Have previously paid the second instalment of the visa application charge for the provisional visa, or
• Be willing to pay it when requested during the 887 process

6. Health and Character Requirements

You and your family must:

• Meet health standards (in most cases, you may not need new exams)
• Meet character requirements (police certificates may be required)
• Sign the Australian values statement (if 18 or older)

7. No Outstanding Debts

You must have paid any debts to the Australian Government.

8. Visa History Considerations

If you’ve had any visa cancelled or refused in the past, this may affect your eligibility. Your full immigration history is reviewed.

📋 Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the 887 Visa

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

Prepare all necessary documents to support your application, including:

• Passport and identity documents
• Residence and work evidence in regional Australia
• Functional English proof
• Police clearance certificates
• Partner and dependent details (if applying with family)

Note: You must include all eligible family members at the time of application. You cannot add family members later.

Step 2: Apply Online (Inside Australia Only)

• You must apply while physically present in Australia
• Submit your application through ImmiAccount
• Attach all required documents
• Maintain lawful status during processing (e.g., through a Bridging Visa A)

Step 3: After Applying

• Immigration will confirm receipt of your application
• You may receive requests for further documentation
• You must keep your visa lawful and valid during processing
• You can add newborns born after visa lodgement but before grant (you must notify the Department promptly)

Step 4: Visa Outcome

You can be inside Australia when the visa is granted. If granted, you receive:

• A permanent resident status
• A visa grant number
• Five-year travel facility

If refused, you’ll receive reasons and information on whether you can request a review.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Members

You can include family members only at the time of lodgement, provided they also hold an eligible visa. This includes:

• Partner/spouse
• Dependent children (even if they are over 23, in limited cases)
• Other dependents from the original visa grant (e.g., those who aged out during the regional stay)

All family members must meet the health and character requirements.

✈️ Travel Provisions

You can travel freely for 5 years after the visa is granted. After that, you must apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) if you want to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.

📚 Summary

The Subclass 887 visa provides a clear and structured pathway to permanent residency for regional visa holders. If you’ve met your obligations in a regional area — living and working — this visa rewards you with the benefits of a permanent visa.

It’s essential to ensure:

• Your visa history is clean
• You meet residence and work requirements
• You apply from within Australia with an eligible visa

📞 Need help applying for Subclass 887?

Speak to our registered migration experts at Migration Guru today. We’ll help you prepare a strong, complete application.

• Phone: +61-7-3036 3800
• Email: info@migrationguru.com.au
• Website: migrationguru.com.au
• Facebook: Migration Guru