Regional Skilled Visa Subclass 887
Overview
The Skilled Regional visa Subclass 887 is a permanent residence visa for people who have lived and worked in designated regional Australia on an eligible provisional visa.
This visa is the final permanent stage for holders of regional provisional visas.
Key Features
Permanent residency in Australia
No points test
No age limit
No occupation list requirement at this stage
Access to Medicare
Sponsor eligible family members
Pathway to Australian citizenship
Five year travel facility
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for the Subclass 887 visa, you must meet all of the following:
Eligible Visa History
You must currently hold, or have previously held, one of these visas:
Skilled Regional Provisional visa Subclass 489
Skilled Regional Provisional visa Subclass 495
Skilled Independent Regional visa Subclass 487
Skilled Work Regional Provisional visa Subclass 491
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa Subclass 494
A Bridging visa A or B linked to one of the above is acceptable.
Regional Residence Requirement
You must have:
Lived in a designated regional area of Australia for at least 2 years
Held an eligible regional visa during this period
Only time spent in approved regional locations is counted.
Work Requirement
You must have:
Worked full-time in a designated regional area for at least 12 months
Employment can be with one or multiple employers
Work must be lawful and paid
Casual and unpaid work does not count.
Health and Character
You must:
Meet Australian health requirements
Meet character requirements, including police checks
Declare any visa refusals or cancellations honestly
Failure here results in refusal. No exceptions.
Government Debts
You must have:
Paid all outstanding debts to the Australian Government
OREntered into an approved repayment arrangement
Unpaid debts block visa grant.
Family Members
You can include:
Your spouse or de facto partner
Dependent children or stepchildren
Family members must meet health and character requirements.
They receive the same permanent rights as you.
Where You Must Apply From
You must be in Australia when:
You lodge the application
A decision is made
Applying offshore will result in refusal.
What You Can Do With an 887 Visa
Once granted, you can:
Live in Australia permanently
Work in any occupation, anywhere in Australia
Study without restrictions
Enrol in Medicare
Sponsor eligible relatives
Travel in and out of Australia for five years
Apply for Australian citizenship when eligible
Visa Cost
From AUD 475 for the primary applicant
Additional charges apply for family members.
Fees are non-refundable if refused.
Processing Time
Processing times vary.
Expect longer processing if:
Documents are incomplete
Employment evidence is weak
Regional residence cannot be clearly proven
Accuracy matters more than speed.
Common Reasons for Refusal
Insufficient regional residence evidence
Employment does not meet full-time requirement
Work performed outside a designated regional area
Gaps or unlawful work
Incorrect visa history
These are avoidable errors.
How Visa Aid Helps
Visa Aid assists with:
Eligibility assessment
Regional residence verification
Employment evidence preparation
Correct visa lodgement
Avoiding refusal due to technical mistakes
This visa looks simple. It is not forgiving.
