Subclass 887 Skilled Regional Visa: Complete 2026 Guide

Who Is Eligible for the 887 Visa?

The 887 visa is for applicants who hold or have held certain regional or low-population area temporary visas and have met the regional living and work requirements. Eligible base visas include: Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional — Provisional): the primary feeder visa for the 887. Applicants on the 491 who complete 2 years of residence and 1 year of skilled employment in a designated regional area qualify for the 887. Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional): similar pathway — 3 years on the 494 leads to the 887. Subclass 495 (former Skilled — Independent Regional): no longer granted but existing holders may still be transitioning. Subclass 487 (former Skilled Regional): legacy visa holders may be eligible. Subclass 489: the predecessor to the 491 — holders who completed the regional requirements may apply for the 887. The pathway is designed so that applicants spend time in regional Australia, contribute to regional economies, and then receive PR as a reward for that regional commitment.

Regional Residence Requirement: 2 Years

To meet the 887 eligibility criteria, you must have lived in a specified area for at least 2 years while holding your eligible base visa. The 'specified area' for the 887 is broadly defined as regional Australia — all areas of Australia except the greater capital city areas of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, and the major cities of Western Australia and South Australia. Important: 'lived in' means that your primary residence must have been in a regional area. Temporarily visiting a regional area while primarily living in a capital city does not qualify. VEVO and movement records, utility bills, employment records, and lease agreements at regional addresses are all used to demonstrate genuine regional residence. The 2-year residence period does not need to be continuous — it can accumulate across the total period of your eligible base visa.

Skilled Employment Requirement: 1 Year

In addition to residence, you must demonstrate 12 months of skilled employment in a regional area while holding your eligible base visa. Skilled employment means work in your nominated skilled occupation, or a closely related skilled occupation, at a Skill Level appropriate to that occupation. The 12 months does not need to be with the same employer — it can accumulate across multiple employers in your nominated occupation. Part-time work can count, but the total hours must be equivalent to full-time employment over the 12 months. Self-employment in a regional area may also qualify. Evidence of skilled employment includes: employment contracts; payslips; superannuation statements; letters from employers confirming your occupation, dates of employment, and location; ABN registration and business income records if self-employed. The occupation does not need to match your exact base visa occupation if it is at the same skill level — but it must be a genuinely skilled role at the ANZSCO level for your occupation group.

Applying for the 887: What to Prepare

The 887 application is lodged online through ImmiAccount. Key documents to gather before lodging: Passport (current and any expired passports used during the regional period). Evidence of regional residence: utility bills, bank statements, council rates notices, electoral roll records, tenancy agreements — all showing regional addresses over the 2-year period. Evidence of skilled employment: payslips (covering 12 months), employer letters, superannuation statements showing employer contributions, ABN records if self-employed. Evidence of base visa: your 491, 494, or other eligible visa grant notice. Health examination results (if not recently completed — health checks expire after 12 months). Police clearances. The 887 does not require a new skills assessment or a new employer sponsorship — the work you have already done in regional Australia is the proof. A migration agent can review your evidence package before lodgement to identify any gaps or vulnerabilities.

What the 887 Grants You

The Subclass 887 visa, when granted, is a permanent residence visa. It provides: the right to live and work in Australia permanently; the right to apply for Australian citizenship after meeting the residency requirement (4 years total, 12 months as a permanent resident); Medicare access; the right to sponsor eligible family members for permanent visas; the right to a Resident Return Visa for international travel as a permanent resident. Unlike the 491, there is no condition requiring you to live in regional Australia after the 887 is granted. Once you receive PR via the 887, you can move to any capital city and work for any employer in any location. The regional residence obligation applies only during the temporary base visa period — not after the permanent visa is granted.

Can I apply for the 887 if my 491 is close to expiring?

Yes — if you have met the residence and employment requirements but your 491 has not expired, you can lodge the 887 application. If the 491 expires before the 887 is granted, you will be on a Bridging Visa A while the 887 is processed. Ensure you lodge the 887 application before the 491 expires to avoid gaps in lawful status.

Does my family get permanent residence when I get the 887?

Yes. Secondary applicants (your partner and dependent children) who are included in your 887 application receive the same permanent visa as the primary applicant. They do not need to have independently met the regional residence and employment requirements.

I worked in regional Australia for 1 year but lived in a capital city part of the time. Do I qualify?

The residence requirement is 2 years of living in a regional area — you must have been primarily resident there, not just visiting. If your primary residence was in a capital city and you commuted to a regional job, this typically does not meet the regional residence requirement. Seek advice from a migration agent to assess your specific situation.

What if I can't get a reference letter from my regional employer?

If an employer is no longer operating or unavailable, alternatives include superannuation records showing employer contributions at the regional ABN, ATO tax records, or a statutory declaration from you explaining the circumstances. Multiple forms of supporting evidence are advisable in the absence of a formal employer reference.