The Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887) is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who have already lived and worked in specified regional areas of Australia on an eligible provisional visa. Unlike most skilled migration pathways, this legacy visa is entirely non-points-tested, features no upper age limit, and does not require an invitation or a new skills assessment.
Holding this visa grants direct, immediate permanent residency to reward your long-term commitment to regional Australia.
Visa Categories & What You Get
This visa features two main application pathways:
Live, work, and study anywhere in Australia permanently with complete employment flexibility. You transition from provisional regional limitations to unrestricted national freedom, gain immediate access to Medicare (Australia's universal healthcare scheme), and can travel to and from Australia unconditionally for up to 5 years from the visa grant date.
Designed for immediate family members (such as a spouse, de facto partner, or dependent children) who hold or have held an eligible provisional visa. They receive identical permanent residency rights, healthcare access, and unconditional travel privileges.
2026 Eligibility and Requirements
To qualify for a Subclass 887 visa, you must meet the strict baseline conditions set by the Department of Home Affairs:
You must hold, or have previously held, a qualifying legacy provisional visa specifically Subclass 489, 475, 487, 495, or 496 or a Bridging Visa A or B after applying for one of those eligible visas.
Note: Holders of the newer 491 or 494 visas must use the Subclass 191 pathway instead.
You must have lived for a total of at least 2 years in a specified regional or low-population growth metropolitan area (if nominated by a state/territory government) or a designated area of Australia (if sponsored by an eligible relative).
You must have worked full-time (a minimum of 35 hours per week) for at least 12 months (1 year) within a specified regional or designated area. You can combine multiple concurrent part-time roles to meet the weekly hour threshold, and the work does not need to be in your originally nominated occupation.
Under current 2026 regulations, there is no age limit (you do not need to be under 45) and no points test baseline to clear, as long as your core regional work and living obligations are completed.
Primary applicants do not need a new English assessment if the requirement was previously met. Dependent family members aged 18 or older must demonstrate functional English (equivalent to an IELTS average score of 4.5 or PTE Academic 30), or the applicant must pay a Second Instalment charge prior to visa grant.
The primary applicant and all accompanying family members must pass federal character clearances (including complete disclosure AFP certificates and overseas police clearances) and satisfy standard medical requirements.
Transition to Full Permanent Residency (Subclass 887)
The Subclass 887 visa acts as the final step into unconditional Australian residency.
The 2026 Onshore Priority Setting
Per the federal government’s 2026–27 migration program announcement, the Department of Home Affairs is heavily prioritising onshore permanent residency transitions (allocating 129,590 places specifically to onshore applicants). This strategic focus means that onshore legacy applicants who have fully met their regional requirements are given high priority for final processing.
Once granted, all regional geographic and occupational restrictions are permanently lifted—allowing you to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia. Furthermore, the time you spent residing in regional areas on your provisional visa counts directly toward the 4-year residency requirement for Australian Citizenship.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Verify that you have exactly 2 years of regional residence and 12 months of full-time employment documentation before initiating your application.
Gather rigorous proof, including residential leases, utility invoices, Australian Taxation Office (ATO) income statements, payslips, and superannuation history.
Submit your final permanent visa application online through the official Department of Home Affairs portal.
Submit the mandatory baseline primary application fee of AUD 505 (additional fees apply for dependants, plus a potential second instalment for dependants without functional English).
Provide updated Australian Federal Police (AFP) checks and any requested medical clearances to render your application "decision-ready" for faster processing.