Skilled Regional Visa
Subclass 887
(Permanent)
Overview
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As a permanent visa, Skilled Regional visa (Subclass 887) is for holders of certain visas (e.g. Subclass 489) to live permanently in Australia after living and working in a specific region for a particular period of time.
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Much simpler than other skilled visas (e.g. Subclass 189 visa or Subclass 190 visa), Subclass 491 visa involves no Expression of Interest (EOI), points test or state/territory or relative sponsorship, and can be applied for directly if criteria are met.
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You may include your family in your visa application so your entire family can migrate together.
Eligibility
Hold Subclass 489 visa, or in some cases, 495, 496, 475 or 487 visa (unless COVID-19 concessions apply)
Have lived for at least 2 years (unless COVID-19 concessions apply) as the holder of the visa in a:
- Regional and low population growth metropolitan area if you were nominated by a state/territory government
- designated area of Australia if you were sponsored a family member for your visa
Have complied with the conditions of your visa
Have worked full-time for at least 1 year (unless COVID-19 concessions apply) in a:
- Regional and low population growth metropolitan area if you were nominated by a state/territory government
- designated area of Australia if you were sponsored a family member for your visa
Meet health and character requirements
Have functional English (or a second instalment of application fee applies)
Special notes
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full time work means 35 hours per week. You can combine work in concurrent part-time employment to satisfy this requirement. You can work in your nominated occupation or any other occupation.
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You must be in Australia when you apply for this visa and when a decision is made (unless COVID-19 concessions apply)
COVID-19 Concessions
From 19 September 2020, COVID concessions to lodgement and eligibility requirements will be available to eligible prospective Skilled – Regional visa (subclass 887) applicants where they meet criteria set out below. The concession period commenced 1 February 2020 and is ongoing.
Applicants outside Australia
Eligible prospective subclass 887 visa applicants can make their visa application outside Australia during the concession period and be granted the visa while they are outside Australia. Applicants outside of Australia who lodge during the concession period are given access to shorter employment requirements and shorter residence requirements. These applicants must provide evidence of at least:
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9 months full-time work in a specified regional area, and
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18 months residence in a specified regional area
Applicants in Australia
Eligible prospective subclass 887 applicants inside Australia who lodge during the concession period are given access to shorter employment requirements. These applicants must provide evidence of at least:
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9 months full-time work in a specified regional area, and
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2 years of residence in a specified regional area.
Location
Applicants may be in or outside Australia at the time of application and visa grant.
Duration of Stay
This is a permanent visa that allows you to stay permanently in Australia. However, its travel facility expires after 5 years so you will need to apply for Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 & 157) or Australian citizenship (if eligible) if you wish to travel overseas and back to Australia after the expiry date.
Benefits
With this visa, you may:
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migrate to Australia together with your children
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stay and live in Australia permanently
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potentially bring your extended family members to Australia permanently on parent visa or visa intended for other relatives
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access various government benefits, including but not limited to:
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pension
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unemployment and job-seeking benefits
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concession cards for commuting
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benefits associated with new-born baby
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interest-free school loan
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travel overseas and back to Australia without limitations for any purposes (e.g. overseas holiday, visiting family and/or attending family matters in home country)
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access Australia’s public health care scheme (Medicare) which essentially provides free medical consultations, operations and hospitalization for a wide range of medical conditions
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work in Australia without any limitations
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study in Australia without any limitations
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attend free English language course provided by Australian government
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apply for Australian citizenship when eligible
Application Fees
You may include your family in your Subclass 887 visa application so your entire family can migrate together.
First Instalment
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Primary applicant: $435
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Each additional applicant aged 18 or above: $215
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Each additional applicant under 18: $110
Second Instalment
For each secondary applicant at least 18 assessed as not having functional English at the time of application, a second instalment of $4890 applies.
Please note: you may incur third-party charges, for example, for translation, skills assessment, English test, police certificate and health exam.
Processing Time
Kindly note the processing time constantly varies. Please contact us for update.
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75% of applications: 17 months
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90% of applications: 20 months
