Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887)

The Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887) is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who have lived and worked in Australia's regional areas on an eligible provisional visa. It is a second-stage visa — you don't need a points test, skills reassessment, or sponsorship to qualify. Instead, you must demonstrate that you've already spent time working and living regionally on a qualifying temporary visa.

This visa was introduced in 2007 to encourage skilled migration to areas outside Australia's major cities. It remains active and is processed on an ongoing basis, though processing times are currently extended (typically 24–28 months).

COVID-19 Concessions (Now Expired)

From 19 September 2020 to 25 November 2023, temporary concessions allowed applicants to lodge from outside Australia and access shorter employment and residence requirements (9 months work instead of 12, and 18 months residence instead of 24 for those outside Australia). These concessions ended on 25 November 2023. However, applicants who held an eligible visa during the concession period could access employment requirement concessions if they applied by 26 February 2024.

Processing Improvements (2026)

As of March 2026, Australia introduced a new real-time visa tracking and standardised decision deadline system. The system uses machine-learning triage to sort documents, flag errors, and automatically request biometrics. Weekly performance dashboards are provided to ministers and the public.

Processing Priority Status

The Subclass 887 visa is listed in Ministerial Direction No. 105 as part of the priority processing list, but it is processed as "all other visas" in order of date of lodgement — it does not receive higher priority like healthcare or teaching occupations.

• Indefinite stay — You can remain in Australia permanently with no expiry date on your visa
• Work anywhere — You can work and study anywhere in Australia (no regional restrictions apply once you have the visa)
• Medicare access — You can enrol in Australia's public health care scheme
• Family sponsorship — You can sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
• Travel rights — You can travel to and from Australia for 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
• Citizenship pathway — Your permanent residence begins on the day the visa is granted (if you are in Australia) or the day you enter Australia on this visa (if outside Australia). This counts towards citizenship eligibility
• Family inclusion — You can include your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children (up to 23 years old, unless financially dependent due to physical or mental condition) in your application if they hold an eligible visa at the time you apply. Family members cannot be added after your application is lodged
• Legal obligations — You and your family members must obey Australian laws