Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887)

Visa Conditions

As the visa applicant, you must,

• hold an eligible visa. See eligibility section for details.
• have lived for at least 2 years and worked full time for at least 1 year in a specified regional area
• have complied with the conditions of the eligible visa you hold or have held

Visa Eligibility

• You must be in Australia when you apply for this visa. You must also be in Australia for the grant of this visa.
• All applicants must be in Australia and hold an eligible visa at the time a subclass 887 visa application is made. An eligible visa is a:
  • subclass 489, 495, 496, 475 or 487 visa, or
  • Bridging visa A or Bridging visa B, after having made a valid application for a subclass 489, 495 or 487 visa

The person seeking to satisfy the primary criteria must also have held one or more of the eligible visas (subclass 489, 495, 496, 475 or 487) for a total of 2 years before a subclass 887 visa application is made.

Note: The person seeking to satisfy the primary criteria will be the person who seeks to meet the 887 work and residence requirements.

• You must meet the residence requirement:
  • At the time you apply for this visa you must have lived for a total of at least 2 years, as the holder of one or more eligible visas, in:
    • a regional or low-population growth metropolitan area if a state or territory government nominated you for your eligible visa, or
    • a designated area of Australia if a family member sponsored you for your eligible visa
• You must meet the work requirement. When you apply for this visa you must have worked full-time for at least 12 months as the holder of one or more eligible skilled visas:
  • in a regional or low-population growth metropolitan area, if a state or territory government nominated you for your eligible visa, or
  • a designated area of Australia if a family member had sponsored you for your eligible visa.

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.

• You, and any family members holding an eligible visa, must have complied with the conditions attached to your eligible visa when in Australia. This requirement applies for the whole period you hold the visa(s).
• At the time, DOHA makes a decision on your application you must:
  • have functional English, or
  • have paid the second instalment of the visa application charge for your eligible visa, or
  • pay the second instalment of the visa application charge when DOHA asks for it
• You, and any family member included in this application, must meet all the health and character requirements

• If you or any family members (including those who do not apply for the visa with you) owe the Australian Government money, you or they must have paid it back or arranged to pay it back.
• If you are 18 years of age or older, you must: have read, or had explained to you, the Life in Australia AND confirm you will respect the Australian way of life obey Australian laws when you sign an Australian Values Statement

Note: If you have had a visa cancelled or previous application refused, you may not be granted a visa.

Visa Benefits

• stay in Australia permanently
• work and study in Australia
• enroll in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare
• sponsor your relatives to come to Australia
• travel to and from Australia for 5 years
• if eligible, apply for Australian citizenship

Visa Processing Time

The processing time for the Skilled Regional visa can take from 7 months to 27 months, However, keep in mind that the actual duration may be longer, depending on the individual’s circumstances.

To avoid unwanted delays in your application, make sure to fill in your application form completely and accurately,, and submit all the necessary supporting documents promptly

Visa Requirements

As outlined earlier in the previous sections, you must:

• Hold an eligible visa.
• Must have worked 35 hours per week (full-time) for at least 12 months
• Have functional English, or else pay the second instalment of the visa application
• Meet health and character requirements
• Have no debt to the Australian Government
• Sign the Australian values statement (for 18 years and above)
• Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused

General Notes

• You might have to pay an extra charge for any applicant 18 years old or older who has less than functional English. This charge is called the second instalment charge. Pay it only when DOHA asks for it. The charge only applies if DOHA will grant you the visa. The second instalment charge is AUD4,890.
• You can include members of the family unit in your application if they currently hold an eligible visa. You must include each family member who is eligible to apply for this visa at the time you lodge your application. You can’t add family members after you have submitted your application.
• You can travel in and out of Australia as many times as you want for 5 years from the date we grant the visa. After 5 years you will need a Resident Return (RRV) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.