Please note that the information provided for skilled visas may be subject to change due to the Federal Budget announcements.
The subclass 887 visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled migrants who have lived and worked in regional Australia on an eligible provisional visa. It provides a direct pathway to permanent residency for those who have demonstrated a commitment to regional settlement.
The Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887) is part of Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 887 Visa?
The Skilled Regional visa (Subclass 887) allows you to:
- Live in Australia permanently
- Work and study anywhere in Australia
- Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
- Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible)
- Access Medicare and other benefits available to permanent residents
Key features
- Permanent visa – no points test, no age limit
- Onshore application only – you must be in Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted
- No nomination or sponsorship required
- No minimum income threshold
- Low application fee (from AUD $505)
Eligibility requirements
To apply for the Subclass 887 visa, you must:
1. Hold an eligible visa
You must currently hold, or have previously held:
- Subclass 489, 495, 496, 475, or 487 visa, or
- A Bridging Visa A or B after applying for one of the above visas
2. Meet residence requirement
- Lived in a specified regional area of Australia for at least 2 years
(Designated areas include all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane)
3. Meet work requirement
- Worked full-time (at least 35 hours per week) in a specified regional area for at least 12 months
- Work can be in one or more jobs and does not need to be continuous
(COVID-19 concessions may apply for certain applicants)
4. Other requirements
- Functional English (IELTS average 4.5 or equivalent) or pay second VAC
- Health and character checks
- Comply with previous visa conditions
- No outstanding debts to the Australian Government
- Sign the Australian Values Statement
The above criteria are subject to changes and exemptions. It’s important to confirm your eligibility against the current criteria prior to applying.
If you are interested in learning more about the Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887), book a free 10 minute consultation online with one of our immigration lawyers.
