Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887)

You apply for the Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887) entirely online through ImmiAccount. This is a permanent residency visa for people who have already lived and worked in regional Australia on an eligible provisional visa — there's no points test, no skills assessment, and no sponsorship required.

Before You Start

Check that you meet all eligibility requirements:

• You currently hold, or previously held, one of these visas: Subclass 489 (Skilled Regional Provisional), Subclass 495, Subclass 496, Subclass 475, Subclass 487, or a Bridging Visa A or B granted after a valid application for one of these visas.
• You have lived for at least 2 years in a regional or designated area of Australia while holding an eligible visa. (Designated areas include all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane metropolitan areas.)
• You have worked full-time (minimum 35 hours per week) for at least 12 months in the same regional or designated area. Work can be in any occupation — not necessarily your nominated occupation — and can span multiple jobs.
• You have functional English (IELTS minimum 4.5 in each section, or equivalent).
• You are currently in Australia and hold a valid eligible visa at the time you apply.
• You meet health and character requirements, including police certificates from all countries where you spent 12+ months in the last 10 years since turning 16.
• You have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government.
• You have complied with all conditions of your eligible visa throughout the entire period you held it.

If you held an eligible visa during the COVID-19 concession period (19 September 2020 to 25 November 2023) and applied by 26 February 2024, you may have accessed employment requirement concessions (9 months instead of 12 months). This window has now closed.

Step 1: Gather All Required Documents

Prepare the following documents before you apply:

Identity documents:

• Current passport (pages showing photo, personal details, and issue/expiry dates)
• National identity card (if applicable)
• Proof of any name changes (marriage certificate, divorce documents, or official change of name documents)

Work evidence (choose documents that apply to you):

• Employment references on company letterhead showing position, employment period, and weekly work hours
• Notices of Assessment from the Australian Taxation Office
• Payslips covering the employment period
• Employment contracts, group certificates, and employment history documents
• Superannuation documents
• Bank statements showing wage or salary deposits

If self-employed:

• Taxation documents including business activity statements
• Business registration evidence
• Customer or supplier correspondence
• Audited financial statements
• Contracts or franchise arrangements
• Company profile or prospectus
• Professional association memberships

Residence evidence:

• Leases or rental agreements
• Utility bills (telephone, gas, electricity) showing your home address
• School reports
• Title deeds to your home
• Other documents demonstrating residence in the specified regional area

Character documents:

• Australian police certificate (if you spent 12+ months in Australia in the last 10 years since age 16) — must be a complete disclosure National Police Certificate from the Australian Federal Police
• Overseas police certificates from every country where you spent 12+ months in the last 10 years since age 16
• Military service records or discharge papers (if applicable)
• Form 80 – Personal particulars for character assessment
• Form 1221 – Additional personal particulars information

English language proof (provide one of the following):

• IELTS test results (minimum 4.5 in each section)
• Citizenship of the UK, USA, Canada, or New Zealand
• Completion of a degree, higher degree, diploma, or trade certificate in an English-speaking institution (in or outside Australia)

Family documents (if including family members):

• Marriage certificate (if married)
• De facto relationship evidence (registration documents or 12+ months cohabitation evidence)
• Birth certificates or family book showing both parents' names
• Adoption papers (if applicable)
• Parental responsibility documents for dependants under 18 (Form 1229 or statutory declaration)

Translation requirements: All non-English documents must be translated into English. If you use a translator in Australia, they must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). If you use a translator outside Australia, they do not need NAATI accreditation but must include their full name, address, telephone number, qualifications, and experience in English on each translation.

Document preparation: Scan or photograph all documents in colour and ensure they are clear. Multi-page documents should be saved as a single file. Certification is not required.

Step 2: Create or Log Into Your ImmiAccount

Go to https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login and either create a new ImmiAccount or log in with your existing credentials. You will need a valid email address and password.

Step 3: Start Your Application

Once logged in, select the option to apply for a Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887). The system will guide you through a series of questions about your eligibility, visa history, and personal details.

Step 4: Upload Your Documents

Attach all required documents to your application in ImmiAccount. Ensure each document is:

• Clear and legible
• In colour (if originally in colour)
• Saved as a single file for multi-page documents
• Properly named so you can identify it later

The system will confirm receipt of each document.

Step 5: Pay the First Application Charge

The first application charge is AUD $505 for the main applicant. If you are including family members, add:

• AUD $240 per partner (or AUD $475 depending on circumstances)
• AUD $120 per dependent child under 18

Pay online through ImmiAccount using a credit or debit card. You will receive a transaction reference number (TRN) — keep this for your records.

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Review all information and documents one final time, then submit your application. ImmiAccount will provide a confirmation page with your application reference number. Save this number and the TRN.

Step 7: Monitor Your Application

Log into ImmiAccount regularly to:

• Check the status of your application
• Respond to any requests for additional information within the given timeframe
• Provide biometrics if requested
• Attend health examinations if required

Important: If the Department requests additional information, you must respond within the timeframe specified in the request. Failure to respond can delay processing or result in refusal.

Step 8: Maintain Lawful Status During Processing

Your current eligible visa may expire while your 887 application is being processed. In most cases, a Bridging Visa A will come into effect automatically, allowing you to remain in Australia lawfully. Check ImmiAccount to confirm your visa status.

You can travel outside Australia while your application is being processed, but ensure you have a valid visa to return (typically the Bridging Visa A).

Step 9: Receive Your Decision

The Department will notify you in writing of the decision on your application. If your visa is granted, you will receive:

• Your visa grant number
• The date your visa starts
• Any visa conditions (if applicable)

If your application is refused, you will be informed of the reasons and whether you have a right to review the decision.

Item	Cost
Main applicant	AUD $505
Partner	AUD $240–$475
Dependent child under 18	AUD $120 per child
Second instalment charge (if family member aged 18+ lacks functional English)	AUD $4,890

Total estimate: AUD $505 for a single applicant with functional English. Family members and English language support add significantly to this cost.

Does not include: health examinations (cost varies by location and provider), police certificates (varies by country), biometrics fees (if required), translation services (if documents need professional translation), or migration agent fees (if using professional assistance).

Current processing times (March 2026):

• 75% of applications: 21–24 months
• 90% of applications: 24–28 months

Processing times vary significantly depending on:

• Whether your application is complete with all necessary supporting documents
• How quickly you respond to requests for additional information
• How long it takes to perform required checks on your supporting information
• How long it takes to receive additional information from external agencies (health, character, national security)
• The number of places available in the migration program
• The volume of applications received
• The complexity of your case
• Departmental resource levels

Note: The Subclass 887 visa is listed in Ministerial Direction No. 105 as a priority processing visa, but it is processed as "all other visas" in order of date of lodgement rather than receiving higher priority like healthcare or teaching occupations.

Travel component validity: Your visa is permanent with no expiry date. However, the travel component (your ability to leave and re-enter Australia) expires 5 years from the date of visa grant. After 5 years, you must apply for a Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155 or 157) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.