Permanent Residency for Regional Provisional Visa Holders
Visa Subclass 887 – Skilled Regional Visa Australia
Two Years of Regional Commitment, A Lifetime of Permanent Residency
If you have spent at least two years living in regional Australia and at least one year working full-time there on an eligible provisional visa, the Australian Government has a direct, low-cost, and straightforward pathway to permanent residency built specifically for you. The Visa Subclass 887 is for people who have lived and worked in specified areas of regional Australia on a previous visa.
The Subclass 887 does not require a points test or a new skills assessment at the PR stage. If you have already held an eligible regional provisional visa and met your residency and work obligations, the 887 is designed to reward that commitment with full, unconditional permanent residency.
At Migration Republic, our MARA-registered migration agents guide regional provisional visa holders through the Subclass 887 application process — from evidence compilation and residency documentation through to permanent residency grant and beyond.
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Visa Overview
What Is the Visa Subclass 887?
The Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887) is a permanent visa that allows people who have lived and worked in specified areas of regional Australia while holding a previous eligible visa to apply for permanent residency. Unlike points-tested visas, this one focuses on your proven track record in regional areas — making it ideal for those transitioning from temporary skilled visas.
There is one important distinction to understand. The Subclass 887 is a legacy pathway — it is the permanent residency route for holders of older regional provisional visas such as the Subclass 489, 475, 487, 495, and 496. If you hold the newer Subclass 491 or Subclass 494, your permanent residency pathway is the Subclass 191 — not the 887. Our team at Migration Republic can confirm which pathway applies to your specific circumstances.
Key Features of the Visa Subclass 887
- Permanent visa — indefinite stay in Australia with no regional restrictions after grant
- No points test, no new skills assessment required — assessed on regional residency and work history only
- Must be in Australia when the visa is granted
- Can apply from inside or outside Australia — but must be in Australia at immigration clearance
- DHA application fee of AUD $475 for the main applicant — one of the lowest permanent visa fees in Australia
- Five-year travel facility from date of grant
- Full work and study rights anywhere in Australia
- Medicare access from the day the visa is granted
- Family members — spouse, partner, and dependent children — can be included
- Pathway to Australian citizenship
- No job offer required — eligibility based on prior regional residence and work history
Eligible Provisional Visas
Understanding the 887 — Which Provisional Visas Does It Cover?
The Subclass 887 is the permanent stage for a specific set of older regional provisional visas. Understanding which provisional visas feed into the 887 is the first step in confirming your eligibility.
| Provisional Visa | Full Name | Pathway to PR |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 475 | Skilled Regional Sponsored (closed) | Subclass 887 |
| Subclass 487 | Skilled Regional Sponsored (closed) | Subclass 887 |
| Subclass 489 | Skilled Regional (Provisional) — closed to new applicants | Subclass 887 |
| Subclass 495 | Skilled — Independent Regional (closed) | Subclass 887 |
| Subclass 496 | Skilled — Designated Area Sponsored (closed) | Subclass 887 |
| Subclass 491 | Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) — current | Subclass 191 |
| Subclass 494 | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional — current | Subclass 191 |
Important for 491 and 494 holders: If you hold the current Subclass 491 or 494, your permanent residency pathway is the Subclass 191 — not the Subclass 887. The two pathways are separate. Our team can confirm which applies to your specific visa.
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply for the Visa Subclass 887?
To be eligible for the Subclass 887 visa, applicants must hold one of the qualifying provisional visas, have lived in a designated regional area for at least two years, and fulfilled all conditions attached to their previous visa.
- Hold an eligible provisional visa — Subclass 489, 475, 487, 495, or 496 — or a Bridging Visa A or B after applying for one of these
- Have held a skilled visa for a total of at least two years before you apply
- Have lived in a specified regional area of Australia for at least two years
- Have worked full-time — at least 35 hours per week — in a specified regional area for at least one year. This can be in one or more jobs and does not have to be continuous
- Have complied with all conditions attached to your provisional visa
- Meet functional English requirements — or be prepared to pay the second instalment charge
- Meet health and character requirements
- Have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government
- Be physically present in Australia at the time of application and when the visa is granted
Application Pathways
The Two Pathways Into the Subclass 887
The Subclass 887 has two streams based on how your original provisional visa was obtained — through state or territory nomination, or through family sponsorship.
State or Territory Nominated
If your provisional visa was obtained through state or territory government nomination, you must demonstrate that you:
- Lived in a state or territory government-specified regional or low population growth metropolitan area for at least two years
- Worked full-time in that same type of area for at least one year
Family Sponsored
If your provisional visa was obtained through sponsorship by an eligible relative, you must demonstrate that you:
- Lived in the designated regional area of Australia for at least two years
- Worked full-time in a regional area for at least one year
- Fulfilled all conditions attached to your provisional visa
The regional area requirements may differ slightly between pathways — the designated areas and postcodes that qualify depend on which stream of your original provisional visa applied. Our team at Migration Republic can confirm exactly which areas qualify for your specific provisional visa history.
Visa Advantages
Key Benefits of the Visa Subclass 887
Immediate Full Permanent Residency
The Subclass 887 is a permanent visa. From the moment it is granted, you are an Australian permanent resident with no regional restrictions, no provisional period, and no further visa obligations.
Live and Work Anywhere in Australia
The regional obligation that applied during your provisional visa period lifts immediately on the day your 887 is granted. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane — wherever you want to go, you are free to go. Full work and study rights anywhere in Australia.
No Points Test, No New Skills Assessment
The 887 does not require a skills assessment or a new English test — these were already assessed during your provisional visa. The assessment focuses entirely on your regional residency and work history. This makes the 887 one of the simplest permanent residency applications in the Australian system for those who qualify.
One of the Lowest Permanent Visa Fees in Australia
At just $475 for the main applicant, this is one of the most affordable permanent residency visa fees in Australia — a fraction of what employer-sponsored or partner visa applicants pay. A family of four — two adults and two children under 18 — pays just $1,075 in government fees.
Medicare, Travel Facility, and Family Sponsorship
Medicare access is immediate from date of grant. The visa includes a five-year travel facility for unlimited international travel. You can also include your spouse and dependent children in the application — even if they were not on your original provisional visa — and sponsor eligible family members for their own permanent residency.
Pathway to Australian Citizenship
The 887 provides the same citizenship pathway as any other permanent residency visa — after four years of permanent residency including one year as a permanent resident. No job offer is required — your eligibility rests entirely on your past regional residence and work history.
Work Requirement Explained
Understanding the Work Requirement in Detail
The work requirement is one of the most commonly questioned aspects of the Subclass 887. You must have worked full-time — at least 35 hours per week — in a specified regional area for at least one year. This can be in one or more jobs and does not have to be continuous.
What This Means in Practice
- The one year of full-time work does not need to be with a single employer — multiple jobs across different regional employers all count
- The work does not need to be continuous — periods of regional work can be combined to reach the 12-month total
- The work must be in the same or similar regional area where you have been residing
- Part-time jobs can be combined to reach 35 hours per week — for example, two part-time jobs of 20 hours each both in the regional area count as full-time
English Language Requirement
You must have functional English — IELTS average 4.5 or equivalent. This is a lower threshold than employer-sponsored visas (which require Competent English at 6.0) — making the 887 accessible to a broader range of applicants.
If you do not have functional English, you are not automatically refused. You simply pay the second instalment charge of approximately AUD $4,890 per applicant — levied at the time the visa is granted, not at lodgment.
Government & Professional Fees
Visa Subclass 887 Cost
The Subclass 887 is one of the most cost-effective permanent residency visa applications in Australia. At $475 for the main applicant, it is significantly less expensive than employer-sponsored permanent visas ($4,910), partner visas ($9,365), or even the Subclass 191 pathway.
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Main Applicant — Subclass 887 | AUD $475 * |
| Partner / Spouse (Additional Applicant 18+) | AUD $240 * |
| Additional Applicant Under 18 | AUD $120 * |
| Second Instalment (18+ without functional English) | AUD $4,890 * |
| Health Examinations (per adult, approx) | AUD $350–$500 |
| Police Clearances (per country) | AUD $50–$100 |
| Migration Republic Professional Fee | Contact Us |
Processing Time: There are approximately 18,000 pending 887 applications, with 90% of applicants waiting up to 25 months. A complete, well-organised application submitted upfront is the most effective way to support faster processing. Always confirm the latest fees in ImmiAccount before lodging.
Application Process
How to Apply for the Visa Subclass 887
Confirm Your Provisional Visa Eligibility
Verify that your current or most recently held provisional visa is on the eligible list — Subclass 489, 475, 487, 495, or 496, or a Bridging Visa A or B after applying for one of these. If you hold a Subclass 491 or 494, the Subclass 191 is your pathway — not the 887.
Calculate Your Qualifying Period
Confirm that you have spent at least two years living in a specified regional area and at least one year working full-time in a regional area while holding your eligible provisional visa. Gather the documentation that proves both requirements.
Gather All Evidence
Collect all required evidence — proof of regional residence, employment records, identity documents, English evidence, police clearances, and health documentation. Organising this chronologically before lodging significantly reduces the risk of delays or requests for additional information.
Lodge Your Visa Application via ImmiAccount
Submit your application via ImmiAccount with all documents and pay the fee. You can be inside or outside Australia when you apply — but you must be in Australia at the time of immigration clearance when the visa is granted.
Complete Health and Character Checks
Complete medical exams and provide police clearances from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more during the past 10 years. All family members aged 16 and above must also provide police clearances.
Respond Promptly to Any Department Requests
If the Department requests additional information, respond within the specified timeframe. Delays in responding are one of the most common causes of extended processing times — and with a significant backlog already in place, any avoidable delay compounds the wait.
Receive Your Permanent Residency Grant
Once approved, you receive your Subclass 887 permanent residency. You are free to live and work anywhere in Australia from that day forward — the regional restriction lifts immediately on grant.
Document Checklist
Documents Required for the Visa Subclass 887
Regional Residency Evidence
- Residential lease agreements covering the two-year qualifying period
- Utility bills (electricity, gas, water, internet) in your name at the regional address
- Bank statements showing regular activity at the regional address
- Medicare card showing regional address
- Rates notices or property ownership documents if applicable
- School enrolment records for dependent children in the regional area
- Statutory declarations from landlords, employers, or community members confirming regional residence
Identity and Visa Status
- Valid passport and identity documents for all applicants
- Prior provisional visa grant notices confirming eligible visa holding period
- Evidence of Bridging Visa A or B if applicable
Employment Evidence
- Employment contracts covering the one-year qualifying work period
- Payslips for the qualifying employment period
- Audited financial statements if self-employed
- ATO tax records or income statements confirming regional employment
- Reference letters from regional employers confirming nature, location, and duration
- PAYG payment summaries
English, Health and Character
- Evidence of functional English — IELTS 4.5 average, or equivalent PTE or OET score
- Health examination results from a Department-approved panel physician
- Police clearances from every country lived in for 12 or more months in the past 10 years (all family members aged 16 and above)
Family Member Documents
- Passports and identity documents for all included family members
- Proof of relationship — marriage certificate, birth certificates
- Health examinations for all included family members
How We Help
Our Visa Process
Eligibility Confirmation and Pathway Advice
We begin by reviewing your provisional visa history and confirming whether the Subclass 887 is the correct pathway for you — or whether the Subclass 191 applies. This is the most important first step and one that is commonly confused by applicants researching independently. We give you a definitive, clear answer before any application work begins.
Residency Evidence Compilation
The most common reason for 887 delays is incomplete or poorly organised residency evidence. We work with you to build a complete, chronologically organised set of documents — leases, utility bills, bank statements, Medicare records — that clearly and convincingly establishes two years of regional residence.
Employment Evidence Review
We review your employment records — contracts, payslips, tax documents, ATO records, and employer letters — to ensure the one-year full-time regional work requirement is clearly demonstrated. We identify any gaps and advise on how to address them.
Application Preparation and Lodgement
We prepare your complete application package and lodge via ImmiAccount. Every document is reviewed before submission. Family members are correctly included. The application is complete and decision-ready from day one — minimising the risk of requests for additional information that add months to an already-lengthy processing queue.
Health, Character Coordination and Post-Grant Guidance
We coordinate your health examinations and police clearances, manage all communications with the Department, and respond promptly to any requests throughout the process. After your 887 is granted, we advise you on your rights as a permanent resident, the five-year travel facility, the pathway to Australian citizenship, and how to sponsor eligible family members.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Migration Republic
Why Choose Migration Republic?
The Subclass 887 looks straightforward on paper — two years of residency and one year of work. But the evidence required to demonstrate those two things convincingly to the Department is where applications succeed or fail.
With approximately 18,000 pending applications and 90% of applicants waiting up to 25 months, the 887 processing queue is significant. Incomplete or poorly organised applications do not move through that queue any faster — they get flagged for additional information, which adds more months to an already long wait. And with the Department's one-fails-all-fails rule on health and character applying to all included family members, a misstep can affect the entire application.
At Migration Republic, our MARA-registered migration agents know exactly what the Department needs to see — and how to present it clearly, chronologically, and completely. We confirm your provisional visa pathway — 887 or 191 — before any application work begins. For people who have already committed two years of their lives to regional Australia, the 887 should be the easy part. We make sure it is.
Transparent Process
Regular updates at every stage so you always know exactly where your application stands in the processing queue.
Complete Evidence Compilation
We build residency and employment evidence packages that leave no gaps — the single most important factor in reducing delays.
End-to-End Support
From eligibility confirmation through to permanent residency grant — and post-grant guidance on citizenship, family sponsorship, and travel rights.
Ready to Apply for the Visa Subclass 887?
If you have spent two years living in regional Australia and one year working there on an eligible provisional visa, your permanent residency is within reach — through one of the most straightforward and affordable applications in the entire Australian migration system. Do not let incomplete evidence or poorly organised documentation stand between you and the permanent residency you have already earned. Our MARA-registered agents at Migration Republic are ready to confirm your eligibility, compile your evidence, and lodge a complete application.
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