The 887 visa is a permanent visa (indefinite stay) for people who have lived and worked in specified areas of regional Australia.
Related: COVID-19 Concessions for Skilled Regional 887 visa
Pathway: 489 visa to PR
Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Permanent visa (indefinite stay) |
| Purpose | Pathway to PR for holders of specific regional provisional visas |
| Location | For people who have lived and worked in specified areas of regional Australia |
Eligibility Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Visa | Must hold a subclass 489, 495, 496, 475 or 487, or a Bridging visa A or B after applying for a subclass 489, 495 or 487 visa |
| Regional Residence | Have lived in a specified regional area of Australia for at least two years |
| Employment | Have worked full time in a specified regional area for at least one year |
| Health | Meet the department’s health requirements |
| Character | Meet the department’s character requirements |
| Debts | Must have repaid, or have arranged to repay, any outstanding debts to the Australian government |
| Visa History | Might not be eligible if you have had a visa cancelled or refused while you were in Australia |
Current Visa Requirements
You must currently hold either:
| Visa Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Skilled Visa | Subclass 489, 495, 496, 475 or 487 |
| Bridging Visa | Bridging visa A or Bridging visa B that was granted in relation to an application for a subclass 487, 489 or 495 |
Note: You must have held a skilled visa at some time for at least two years before you apply for the visa.
Important: Dependent partners who hold a skilled visa and meet all other eligibility criteria can apply for this subclass 887 visa as the main applicant.
Regional Residence Requirement
You must have lived and worked in a regional, low-population growth or designated area of Australia.
| Requirement | Period |
|---|---|
| Lived in regional area | At least 2 years |
| Worked full-time in regional area | At least 1 year |
What You Can Do With the 887 Visa
This is a permanent visa. It lets you:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Stay | Remain in Australia indefinitely |
| Work | Work in Australia |
| Study | Study in Australia |
| Medicare | Enrol in Australia’s scheme for health-related care and expenses |
| Sponsor Family | Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence |
| Travel | Travel to and from Australia for five years |
| Citizenship | Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible |
Visa Cost
| Cost Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Application Charge | From AUD 505 |
| Main Applicant | AUD 475 |
| Partner | AUD 240 |
| Each Additional Applicant (under 18) | AUD 120 |
Processing Time
| Processing Period | Time |
|---|---|
| 75% of applications | 24 months |
| 90% of applications | 28 months |
Processing times vary.
Location Requirements
| Stage | Requirement |
|---|---|
| At Application | Must be in Australia |
| At Decision | Must be in Australia |
Including Family
You can include your partner and your or your partner’s child or step-child in your application.
There is eligibility criteria for family members.
Family members who are granted the visa have the same rights and can do the same things as you.
Your Obligations
| Obligation | Details |
|---|---|
| Australian Laws | You and your family members must comply with Australian laws |
| Visa Conditions | You must comply with your visa conditions |
| Find Conditions | You can find your visa conditions in VEVO |
Travel
You can travel in and out of Australia as many times as you want for up to five years after the visa is granted.
Checklist for 887 Visa (489 Visa to PR)
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Form 80 | Complete as detailed as possible |
| Marriage Certificate | If applicable |
| Living in Designated Area Evidence | Title deeds, leases/rental agreements, utility bills (telephone, gas, electricity showing residential address) |
| AFP Check | Australian Federal Police check |
AFP Check Information
Australian Federal Police checks can now be applied for online:
- Online Application: https://afpnationalpolicechecks.converga.com.au/
- Further Details: https://www.afp.gov.au/our-services/national-police-checks
When applying:
- At section 2.3 of the online form under ‘Purpose Type’ select ‘Common Employment/Purpose’
- This opens another drop down box
- In the new box use Code 33 for police clearances for immigration/citizenship
Working Requirement Evidence (Minimum 1 Year)
Provide evidence of full-time work in a specified regional area for at least one year:
| Evidence Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Payslips | That cover the period of employment |
| Employment Documents | Contracts, tax returns, group certificates, superannuation documents |
| Employment References | Written references from employers |
| Skills Assessment Documents | Any other documents relating to your employment history that you provided for your skills assessment |
Employment References Requirements
Employment references must:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Letterhead | Be written on official letterhead of the employer providing the reference |
| Contact Details | Clearly show employer’s full address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail or website addresses |
| Signatory Details | Show name, position and contact telephone number of the person who signed the reference |
| Employment Period | Show the exact period of your employment |
| Employment Type | Whether employment was permanent or temporary, full or part-time |
| Position Details | The position(s) you held and duties undertaken |
| Salary | Your salary |
Important: The position should be described according to the nature of the duties undertaken (for example research chemist, accounts clerk). It should not be described in general terms (for example, research officer, public servant).
Self-Employment Evidence
If you have been self-employed, provide evidence of self-employment:
| Evidence Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Financial Statements | Audited financial statements for the relevant period |
| Company Registration | Company registration documents |
| Taxation Documents | Taxation documents |
| Contracts | Examples of major contracts |
| Marketing Material | Advertising and marketing material |
| Company Profile | Company profile or prospectus |
| Memberships | Memberships of any business or professional associations |
887 Visa Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| VisaEnvoy Professional Fees (Main Applicant) | $2,000 + GST |
| Each Dependent | $500 + GST |
Summary
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Permanent |
| Pathway From | Subclass 489, 495, 496, 475, 487 |
| Regional Residence Required | 2 years |
| Full-time Work Required | 1 year |
| Location at Application | Must be in Australia |
| Location at Decision | Must be in Australia |
| Main Applicant Cost (DHA) | AUD 475 |
| Processing Time (90%) | 28 months |
| Travel Facility | 5 years |
