Australia – Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887)

Skilled-Regional-Visa-_Subclass-887_

🌟 What Is the Subclass 887 Visa?

The Australian Government provides a pathway for you to settle in the country permanently through the Skilled Regional Visa, under Subclass 887, if you have already worked and lived in a regional area through a temporary skilled visa.

You don’t need to pass any points test or obtain a sponsor letter from anyone to get a visa, provided you have already worked and lived in any regional area of Australia. This visa is the new door to get a permanent settlement, along with your Family


✅ Who Can Apply – Am I Eligible?

You can apply for this visa if:

  1. You hold (or held) a regional skilled visa, like:
    • 489, 495, 496, 475, or 487
    • Or you have a Bridging Visa A or visa B after applying in any one of the above.
  2. You have lived in a regional area for at least 2 years.
  3. You have worked full-time (at least 35 hours per week) in that regional area for at least 1 year.
  4. You and your family members meet health and character checks.
  5. You have no unpaid debts to the Australian government.

🎯 Good News – No Test, No Sponsor Needed!

This visa is very straightforward.

Yodon’t’t need:

  • A points score
  • An English test
  • A new skills assessment
  • State or territory nomination

You’ve lived and worked in a regional area, on the correct visa, you’re on track!


🧭 How to Apply – Step by Step Process

Step 1: Make sure you are eligible

Check that you’ve:

  • Lived in a regional area for 2 years
  • Worked full-time for 1 year
  • Held an eligible visa
Step 2: Prepare all your documents. 

You’ll need documents to show you:

  • Identity
  • Time living in the regional area
  • Work experience
  • Health and police clearances
Step 3: Apply Online
  • Go to ImmiAccount
  • Start your Subclass 887 visa application.
  • Upload your documents
  • Pay the visa fee
Step 4: Wait for a Decision
  • The immigration team may request additional information.
  • Stay in Australia while your visa is being processed.

📂 Document Checklist – What You’ll Need

🧍 Your Identity
  • Passport copy
  • Birth certificate
  • National ID (if you have one)
🏠 Living in a Regional Area
  • Rental agreements or home ownership papers
  • Bills such as electricity, gas, internet, etc.
  • Bank statements showing your address
👩‍💼 Work in a Regional Area
  • Payslips
  • Tax documents (like PAYG summaries)
  • Employer reference letters
  • Superannuation records
💊 Health and Police Checks
  • Police clearance from the country you’ve lived in for 12+ months
  • Health exam (if immigration asks for it)
👨‍👩‍👧 For Family (if applying together)
  • Marriage certificate
  • Birth certificates of children
  • School enrolment letters

Tip: Save your documents as PDF or JPG files with clear names.


💰 Visa Cost and Processing Time

WhoCost (AUD)
Main applicant$475
Extra adult (18+)$240
Child under 18$120

🕒 How Long Does It Take

  • 75% of applications: Around 14 months
  • 90% of applications: Around 17 months

👉 The time it takes depends on how complete and correct your application is.


💵 Do I Need to Show My Bank Balance or Funds?

Nope, there’s no requirement to show money in your account for this visa. But it’s always a good idea to have some savings while you wait.


🎁 What Are the Benefits of This Visa?

This visa gives you a permanent settlement, which means:

  • ✅ You can live in Australia forever
  • ✅ You get access to Medicare (free public healthcare)
  • ✅ You can work or study anywhere in Australia
  • ✅ You can apply for Australian citizenship when eligible
  • ✅ You can sponsor your family members
  • ✅ Your partner and kids can be added to your application

⚠️ Things to Know (Limitations)

  • You must apply inside Australia
  • You must remain in Australia until your visa is granted.
  • You must complete 2 years of living and 1 year of full-time work.
  • Visa decisions can take more than a year.r

🌐 Where to Apply – Official Links


📄 How to Format Documents + Example

TypeFormatTips
PassportPDF or JPGFull scan, no glare or shadows
PayslipPDFInclude name, dates, hours, and earnings
Police checkPDFTranslate into English if needed
Lease agreementPDFShow full name, address, and dates

❓ Most Commonly Asked Questions

Q: Can I apply from outside Australia?
👉 No. You must be in Australia when applying and when the visa is decided.

Q: Do I need to resubmit the job offer?
👉 No. You’ve already worked for 1 year in a regional area.

Q: Can I include my Family?
👉 Yes! Your partner and children can be added to your application.

Q: Do I need to take an English test?
👉 Not at all. This visa does not require an English test.

Q: Haven’t I completed my 1-year full-time work?
👉 You must wait until you complete it to apply.


💡 Helpful Tips from Experts

✔️ Keep your paperwork – Save all your payslips, leases, and tax records
✔️ Apply on Don’t– Don’t wait until your temporary visa is about to expire
✔️ Stay in Australia, can’t leave the country while waiting for the visa
✔️ Label documents clearly – Makes it easier for officers to check
✔️ Unsure about anything? – A migration agent can help you get it right


🏁 Final Words

The Skilled Regional Visa, under Subclass 887, is the golden ticket for your contribution to the country.