Skilled Regional Visa Subclass 887

A Complete Guide On Skilled Regional Visa Subclass 887

October 26, 2021

Many international visitors in Australia love to stay and work in a regional area to avoid the hustle and bustle of city life. After living in these areas for a specific period, they may plan for a permanent stay and work here. For that purpose, they will need the Visa Subclass 887. In addition to permanent living and working, the visa holders can do other things too.

This blog has discussed all the essential aspects of the Skilled Regional Visa Subclass 887 you should have explicit knowledge about before the application.

Benefits of 887 Visa

The Skilled Regional Visa Subclass 887 will be an excellent option for you to stay permanently in Australia. Besides living in a specified regional area, you can also work under an Australian employer. Following are the general benefits that the holders can enjoy while holding this visa.

  • You can stay in Australia for an indefinite period.
  • You can work with an Australian company and enrol in a full-time course at your favourite Australian university.
  • Usually, a permanent resident is allowed to enrol in Medicare, which is Australia’s public health care scheme. Medicare benefits include getting cheaper and free treatments at public hospitals.
  • As a holder of Visa 887, you will be allowed to sponsor your relatives and family members who are willing to apply for Australian visas to come here.
  • In the next five years from the visa grant date, you can travel in and out of Australia whenever you wish.
  • After several years of living, you can apply for Australian citizenship.

Eligibility criteria for Skilled Regional Visa

To make your Subclass 887 Visa application successful, you have to meet the following eligibility criteria.

  • Your Geographic Location

    This visa is an onshore visa, and thus, you should be present in Australia when applying for the visa.

  • Visa You Need To Hold

    Before applying, you should have held one of the following eligible visas for up to two years. Note that all these visas fall in the category of ‘skilled regional’ visas.
    – Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 489)
    – Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa (Subclass 475)
    – Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa (Subclass 487)
    – Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 495)
    – Holding a Bridging Visa A or B after making a 487, 489, or 495 Visa application will also make you eligible.

    Whatever visa you have held, make sure you have complied with all the conditions of your eligible visa.

  • Residence Requirements

    Before lodging your application, you should have lived for a minimum of 2 years in a regional area. The following conditions should be met.
    – If an Australian territory or state government has nominated you, you should have lived in a regional or low-population growth metropolitan area.
    – On the other hand, if an eligible relative sponsors you, living should have been in a designated regional area of Australia. 
    To know about low-population growth metropolitan areas or designated regional areas, you should visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.

  • Work Experience Requirements

    Your employment with an Australian employer should have been full-time for at least one year, in a low-population growth metropolitan area or a designated regional area, depending on the nominating individual. By full-time employment, we mean 35 hours of work a week. If you have concurrent part-time work experience, you can combine it to fulfil this requirement.

  • English Language Requirements

    Having at least functional English is necessary. Your family members should also meet the English language criteria. If they cannot, you will have to pay a second instalment charge in addition to the visa application fee.

  • Health and Character Requirements

    All the applicants need to meet the health and character requirements. The Department of Home Affairs may even ask those family members to submit health examination documents.

  • Debt requirements

    Neither you nor your family members should have any debts unpaid to the Government of Australia. Even if you have any debts, you should have made necessary repayment arrangements.

  • No Records of Visa Refusal

    You should have no records of visa application refusal.

Know The Application Process for Visa 887

The application process of the 887 Visa for Australia is pretty straightforward. However, to ensure the best results, you may consider consulting a migration professional. Follow these steps below to make a complete application.

  • Step 1: Before You Apply

    First of all, you must see if your passport is up-to-date. At this step, you have to decide whether you will do the application yourself or take help from a migration expert.

  • Step 2: Gather Documents

    This step is highly crucial, and you should make sure all the documents are in proper order. Your checklist should include the following.
    – Work experience documents, including work references, assessment notice issued by the ATO, superannuation documents, bank statement copies, payslips etc
    – Self-employment documents, including business registration, taxation documents, BAS documents, contracts, etc
    – Residential proof, including rental arrangements, leases, utility bills, and title deeds
    – Identity documents, including passport, a national ID card, name change certificate (if applicable)
    – Relationship documents that may include marriage, divorce, or separation certificate
    – Character documents, including police clearance certificates issued by every country you have lived for at least one year in the last 10 years
    – Functional English documents, which may be the result of any English language test
    – Filled-out forms related to taking professional help
    -Specific documents for all the included family members

  • Step 3: Apply For The Visa

    After gathering all the documents, you can complete your application online. The Department of Home Affairs will notify you when they receive your application.

  • Step 4: After You Apply

    You will have to wait for several months when your application gets processed. The Department may ask you for additional documents at this stage.

  • Step 5: Visa Decision

    Irrespective of the outcome, you will receive an email from Australian Immigration. You will find all the necessary details in that mail.

Processing Time For 887 Visa

Currently, the 887 Visa processing time is 16 months for 75% of applications and 16 months for 90%. However, your application may get delayed because of various reasons.

  • You have not filed a complete application. It means you have not uploaded all the supporting documents.
  • You have not promptly responded to the requests made by the Immigration Department for additional information while assessing your application.
  • Significant time is consumed to receive character, health, and security-related documents from external agencies.
  • The availability of several places in the 887 Visa migration program will also be a factor.

Read Our Lates Blog:- 10 USEFUL THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT EMPLOYER SPONSORED VISA 186

Visa 887 Allowance

The Visa 887 allows a holder to: 

  • stay, study, and work in a specific regional area of Australia permanently, 
  •  pave the path to become an Australian citizen, and
  • sponsor visas of eligible relatives willing to come to Australia.

Currently, the visa application cost for the main applicant is AUD 425.

How can Immigration Agent Perth help you in your application process?

Want top-quality visa advice in Perth? The top Migration Agent Perth can be the best option for you. In addition to giving advice, they can also assign you their best-rated immigration agent from Perth for professional help in your application.