Skilled Regional Visa - Subclass 887 Visa
The Subclass 887 Skilled Regional Visa offers permanent residency to individuals who have lived and worked in designated regional areas of Australia on eligible provisional visas, such as Subclasses 489, and 475 visas, Bridging visa A or Bridging visa B. This pathway allows applicants to transition from temporary to permanent status after fulfilling specific work and residency requirements in regional Australia. The visa's primary aim is to attract skilled workers and foster growth and development across the country's regional areas.
Benefits of the Subclass 887 Visa
Permanent Residency
Holders of the Subclass 887 visa gain permanent residency, allowing them to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.
Access to Healthcare
Visa holders are eligible for Australia’s public healthcare system, Medicare.
Family Rights
You can include eligible family members, such as your spouse and dependent children, in your visa application.
Work Flexibility
Once granted permanent residency, visa holders can work in any job, with no restrictions on employment in regional areas.
Pathway to Citizenship
After meeting residency requirements, Subclass 887 visa holders can apply for Australian citizenship.
Social Security
After meeting the required waiting periods, visa holders become eligible for Australian social security benefits, such as unemployment and disability support.
Travel Rights
You can travel to and from Australia freely for five years, after which you may need a Resident Return Visa (RRV)
Subclass 887 Visa
MAIN REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for the Subclass 887 visa, applicants must meet the following key requirements:
Hold an Eligible Visa
Applicants must hold or have held an eligible visa, such as:
Subclass 489 (Skilled Regional - Provisional Visa)
Subclass 475 (Skilled – Regional Sponsored visa)
Regional Residency Requirement
You must have lived in a designated regional area of Australia for at least 2 years while holding your qualifying provisional visa.
Work Requirement
You must have worked full-time in a designated regional area for at least 12 months before applying for the Subclass 887 visa. Full-time work is generally defined as 35 hours per week.
Family Members Requirement
Family members included in your application must meet health and character requirements.
Health and Character
You and any family members included in your application must meet Australia’s health and character requirements, including medical exams and police checks.
Different Requirements by State and Territory for the Subclass 887 Visa
Although the Subclass 887 visa itself does not have specific state or territory nomination requirements, each state or territory may have its own regional classification and work expectations. Below are some variations in regional definitions and policies across states and territories:
New South Wales (NSW)
Regional Areas: Regional areas in NSW include locations such as the Central Coast, Northern Rivers, and Hunter Valley.
Priority Occupations: Some regions may prioritize occupations aligned with local labor needs, especially in agriculture, health, and education.
Western Australia
Regional Classification: Cities like Perth, while geographically large, are not classified as regional for the Subclass 887 visa. Areas outside Perth, such as Kalgoorlie, qualify.
Critical Industries: Mining, energy, and infrastructure-related occupations are in high demand in Western Australia’s regional areas.
Victoria
Regional Cities: Major regional cities such as Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo qualify as regional for the purpose of the visa.
Work Focus: Victoria focuses on healthcare, construction, and information technology sectors in its regional areas.
Tasmania
Statewide Regional Classification: Tasmania is considered entirely regional, and the state encourages skilled migrants to settle anywhere within it.
Graduate Opportunities: Tasmanian graduates have special pathways under regional visa programs, particularly in areas such as healthcare, hospitality, and education.
Queensland
Regional Focus Areas: Regional Queensland includes areas outside Brisbane, such as Townsville, Cairns, and Toowoomba.
Industry Preference: Queensland prioritizes workers in mining, agriculture, and healthcare for their regional areas.
Northern Territory
Commitment to Regional Living: The Northern Territory requires a commitment to living and working in remote regional areas like Darwin and Alice Springs.
Industry Focus: Priority is given to occupations in construction, healthcare, and mining.
South Australia
Entire State as Regional: All of South Australia, including Adelaide, is classified as regional.
Specific Occupation Needs: Priority is given to healthcare, manufacturing, and education industries, especially in remote areas.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Canberra as Regional: Despite being a major city, Canberra is classified as regional for the purposes of the Subclass 887 visa.
Priority Sectors: Canberra focuses on high-skill sectors such as public administration, education, and healthcare for regional visa applicants.
Steps to apply for the Subclass 887 Visa
Meet Eligibility Criteria
Ensure you have lived in a designated regional area for two years and have worked full-time in that area for at least 12 months on an eligible provisional visa.
1
Prepare Documentation
Gather the necessary documentation, including proof of residency (e.g., rental agreements or utility bills), employment history, tax returns, and other relevant documents that demonstrate your compliance with the visa requirements.
2
Lodge Your Application
Submit your application online through the Department of Home Affairs website. Include all required documents and information to support your claims.
3
Health and Character Checks
Undergo health examinations and provide police clearances as part of the visa application process.
4
Visa Processing
Wait for the Department of Home Affairs to assess your application. If additional information or documents are needed, you will be notified.
5
Visa Decision
Once approved, you will be granted permanent residency through the Subclass 887 visa.
6
Current Processing Time: Subclass 887 Visa
When it comes to the processing timeline, several factors can impact your application. These include the quality of submitted documents and the volume of applications received by the Department.
| 50% applications are processed in | 5 Months |
|---|---|
| 90% applications are processed in | 16 Months |
Frequently
Asked
Questions
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The Subclass 887 visa grants permanent residency, allowing you to live in Australia indefinitely. After five years, you may need to apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
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No, the Subclass 887 visa does not require you to meet a points test. However, you must meet the residency and work requirements in regional Australia.
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Yes, you can include your spouse/partner and dependent children in your application, provided they meet the health and character requirements.
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You must meet the full-time work requirement of 35 hours per week for at least 12 months to be eligible. Part-time or casual work that does not meet the minimum requirement may not be accepted.
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No, to qualify for the Subclass 887 visa, you must meet both the residency and work requirements. Simply living in a regional area without fulfilling the work requirement will not qualify you for this visa.