Step-by-Step Guide to Australia’s Subclass 887 Visa
The Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887) is a permanent residency visa designed for skilled provisional visa holders who have resided in a designated regional area of Australia for at least two years and gained a minimum of 12 months’ full-time employment during that time. Applicants must be physically present in Australia both at the time of application and when the visa is granted.
Advantages of This Visa
- Live, work, and study indefinitely in Australia
- Access Medicare, Australia’s public health care system
- Apply for Australian citizenship once you meet the eligibility criteria
- Sponsor eligible family members or relatives for permanent residency
- Travel freely in and out of Australia for up to five years from the visa grant date
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for this visa, you must:
- Hold one of the following visas:
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)
- Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 495)
- Skilled Designated Area Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 496)
- Skilled Regional Sponsored visa (subclass 475 or 487)
- Bridging visa A or B issued after applying for subclass 495, 487, or 489
- Have lived for at least two years in a specified regional area of Australia
- Have worked full-time (minimum 35 hours per week) for at least 12 months
- If sponsored by an eligible relative, have lived in the designated regional area for at least two years
- Fulfilled all conditions attached to your previous visa
- Meet the health and character standards
Health and Character Conditions
Applicants and their accompanying family members must satisfy health and character requirements. Those aged 16 or above must provide police clearance certificates from every country they have lived in for 12 months or more during the past 10 years.
Outstanding Debts to the Australian Government
You must not have any unpaid debts to the Australian Government prior to visa approval.
Included Family Members
You can include the following relatives in your visa application:
- Your spouse or partner
- Your children or your partner’s children (including stepchildren)
Specified Regional Areas of Australia
If nominated by a state or territory government, you must have resided for at least two years in one of the following regional areas, identified by postcodes:
| State/Territory | Regional and Low Population Growth Metropolitan Areas | Postcodes |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales (NSW) | Anywhere except Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong | 2311 to 2312, 2328 to 2411, 2420 to 2490, 2536 to 2551, 2575 to 2594, 2618 to 2739, 2787 to 2898 |
| Northern Territory | Entire territory | - |
| Queensland | Anywhere except the greater Brisbane area and the Gold Coast | 4124 to 4125, 4133, 4211, 4270 to 4272, 4275, 4280, 4285, 4287, 4307 to 4499, 4515, 4517 to 4519, 4522 to 4899 |
| South Australia | Entire state | - |
| Tasmania | Entire state | - |
| Victoria | Anywhere except the Melbourne metropolitan area | 3211 to 3334, 3340 to 3424, 3430 to 3649, 3658 to 3749, 3753, 3756, 3758, 3762, 3764, 3778 to 3781, 3783, 3797, 3799, 3810 to 3909, 3921 to 3925, 3945 to 3974, 3979, 3981 to 3996 |
| Western Australia | Anywhere except Perth and surrounding areas | 6041 to 6044, 6083 to 6084, 6121 to 6126, 6200 to 6799 |
Designated Areas of Australia (For Relative Sponsorship)
| State/Territory | Designated Area |
|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | Entire territory |
| New South Wales (NSW) | Anywhere except Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong |
| Northern Territory | Entire territory |
| Queensland | Outside Brisbane metropolitan area |
| South Australia | Entire state |
| Tasmania | Entire state |
| Victoria | Entire state |
| Western Australia | Entire state |
For more detailed information on Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887) or other changes in the Australian immigration laws, feel free to get in touch with one of our expert immigration consultants today at info@immigrationxperts.com.
Process to Apply for Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887)
- Check your eligibility: Ensure you meet the key requirements, including holding an eligible provisional visa and meeting residence and work conditions.
- Gather supporting documents: Collect all required evidence, such as proof of regional residence, employment records, identity documents, English evidence, police clearances, and health insurance.
- Lodge your visa application: Submit your application via ImmiAccount with all documents and pay the fee.
- Health and character checks: Complete medical exams and provide police clearances.
- Visa decision: Receive notification with visa details upon approval.
Processing times & fees (guide)
- Processing times vary depending on application completeness and case complexity
- check current timelines before applying. Fees start at around AUD 425–490, with extra charges for family members.
Why Choose Apical Immigration Experts?
- Transparent, competitive service fees with clear timelines.
- Guidance on residency and work requirements, document preparation, and visa lodgement.
- Seven-day client support and post-grant services like Medicare enrolment and settlement assistance.
- Accurate, well-documented applications to minimise delays and maximise approval chances.
Book a consultation today and let Apical Immigration Experts handle your 887 visa process while you focus on your future in Australia.
FAQs: Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
You must have held an eligible skilled provisional visa, lived in a specified regional or designated area of Australia for at least two years, and worked full-time (minimum 35 hours per week) in that area for at least 12 months. You must also meet health and character requirements.
No. You must complete the full 12 months of required full-time work and the two years of regional residency before you can lodge your application.
The base application fee for the primary applicant starts at around AUD 425–490, with extra charges for family members. If a dependent applicant does not have functional English, a second installment fee may apply. Processing times vary, with many applications taking between 5 and 24 months.
Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children (including stepchildren) in your application, but they must be added at the time you lodge it. All included family members must meet health and character requirements.
Once granted, you can live, work, and study in Australia permanently, access Medicare, apply for Australian citizenship (when eligible), sponsor family members for permanent residency, and travel in and out of Australia for up to five years.
Sumit Katyal
