Skilled Regional Subclass 887 Visa

The Subclass 887 visa is a permanent residency visa that allows skilled visa holders to apply for permanent residence who have lived and worked in a specified regional area of Australia or a designated area for at least 2 years. It is also known as the Skilled Regional visa.

To be eligible for this visa, applicants must have held a skilled visa or subclass 489 for at least 12 months in Australia and have met the work requirement set by the state or territory government. Additionally, you must meet the character and health requirements, and have complied with the conditions of your previous visa.

The 887 subclass visa is not a temporary visa. The Subclass 887 visa is a permanent visa and once granted, it allows the holder to live and work in Australia permanently. 

The 887 subclass visa is not a bridging visa. Bridging visas are temporary visas that are typically granted to individuals who are awaiting the outcome of a visa application or appeal.

As per Department of Home Affairs, on average, 50% of applications are processed within 8 months, while 90% of applications are processed within 31 months. However, processing time can vary depending on various factors, including the complexity of your case, the volume of applications being processed, and the accuracy and completeness of your application. 

For most skilled migration visas, including the Subclass 887 visa, the minimum English language proficiency requirement is typically set at a functional level, having an average band score of at least 4.5 which corresponds to a score of at least 4 in each component of the IELTS test. 

The 489 to 887 visa condition refers to the requirement that applicants must have held a subclass 489 visa or a designated regional visa for at least two years before being eligible to apply for the subclass 887 visa. The 489 visa is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in specified regional areas of Australia. Once the two-year requirement is met, individuals can transition to the 887 visa, which is a permanent residency visa. 

You can include eligible family members in your 887 subclass visa application if they currently hold an eligible visa. Each eligible family member must be included in your application at the time of submission, as you cannot add them later. All included family members must meet health and character requirements. 

The primary applicant’s application fee for an 887 subclass visa is AUD 490.00. There is an additional charge for every family member listed on the application. Family members who are 18 years of age or older who do not speak English as their first language may be subject to an additional fee called the second installment charge. The AUD 4,890 fee is only payable upon request in the event that the visa is approved.

Yes, once you hold a Subclass 887 visa, you can travel to and from Australia for 5 years. However, after this period, you will require a Resident Return (RRV) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident. 

If your 887 subclass visa application is refused, you will receive a letter detailing the reasons. You may have options for review or appeal, such as applying for an Administrative Appeal Tribunal (AAT) review. You can seek prompt advice from a migration agent or lawyer like 4Nations International to explore your options effectively.

To include your partner in your 887 visa application, you must be in a married or de facto relationship, with evidence of cohabitation for at least 12 months in the case of de facto relationships. Required documentation includes proof of relationship, evidence of partner’s health and character, and partner’s skills assessment and qualifications (if applicable). Your partner should also demonstrate English language proficiency at a competent level, assessed through exams such as IELTS, PTE, or OET. Additionally, their skills assessment can contribute if their qualifications align with those on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).