Subclass 887 also known as the Skilled Regional Visa is a visa program under the various programs that is provided by the Australian Government. This visa program provides Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia to you if you have successfully completed their regional commitments on various eligible temporary visas like Subclass 489 or 475. If you have spent the last 2 years of living and working in regional Australia on a provisional skilled visa program, you are now in the final process of transitioning from provisional to permanent residency.
With more than a decade long expertise in Australian migration system and providing visa services to countless individuals seeking for help, we here at BJay education and Visa Services have meticulously complied this guide to help you throughout the process. This guide has been drafted with the latest Department of Home Affairs (DHA) data as of February 2026. In this guide, you will go through the essential 2026 requirements, costs, and processing expectations for the Subclass 887 visa that is required to make sure that your application is decision ready, and your application has a positive outcome.
Subclass 887 Visa
The subclass 887 visa or the Skilled Regional Visa program is a visa program that is the pathway to Permanent Residency for the visa holders of the eligible provisional skilled visa programs like Subclass 491. This visa program is a points-test-free permanent visa which means that if you have met your residency and employment requirements; your eligibility is determined by the evidence of your contributions to rural Australia.
Why Subclass 887?
If you are someone who has previously shown your commitment to regional part of Australia, then choosing the Subclass 887 can be your strategic decision. This visa can be considered as a reward for you due to the support you have provided towards supporting the local economy of Australia. Unlike other visa programs provided by the Australian government, this visa program it provides a smooth transition to full permanent residency without the difficulties of a points test.
Reason to choose Subclass 887
Freedom from Residency Restrictions: The main reason that people choose subclass 887 is the removal of geographic boundaries. While provisional visa programs like the Subclass 489/491 tie you to the specific regional postcodes, the Subclass 887 allows you to have unlimited stay, study and live rights anywhere in Australia.
No Points Test or Age Limit: With 2026 in effect, the migration scene of Australia is still competitive and highly scrutinized. Unlike other visa programs where there are high points bars for most PR visas, this visa program is not a point-tested program. Regardless of your age or changes in the points value of your occupation, you are eligible if you have fulfilled the 2-year residency and 12-month work criteria.
Unrestricted Work Rights: Another major reason that the subclass 887 is preferred by many individuals is due to the reason of unrestricted work rights. In this visa program, you are not limited by your nominated occupation and have total freedom to:
- Start your own business of your choice in any sector that you want.
- Change your nominated industry entirely.
- Work with freedom for any employer without needing to fill a new nomination or sponsorship.
Full Social & Health Benefits: After you have successfully secured your subclass 887 visa, you are eligible to have full access to the following rights:
- Full Access to the universal healthcare system of Australia that is Medicare.
- You are eligible to receive massive savings on higher education for you and your family.
- Eligibility for Centrelink benefits after meeting the standard residency waiting periods.
Direct Pathway to Citizenship: The last stage towards obtaining Australian citizenship is the Subclass 887. If you have held a permanent visa (the 887) for at least the last 12 months, the time you have already spent in regional Australia on your provisional visa counts toward the 4-year residency requirement for citizenship.
Subclass 887 Eligibility
With the Subclass 887, securing PR in Australia is a result of your commitment to living in the regional part of Australia. With 2026 in effect, the DHA requires you to maintain a strict set of standards while you apply for the visa program.
Below are the pillars that need to be satisfied in order for you to be eligible for the Subclass 887 visa program:
The Eligible Visa Holder Requirement
If you want to qualify for the Subclass 887 then the first requirement that needs to be satisfies is that you are required to show that you are committed to the regional part of Australia and are already in the given following substantive visa:
| Eligible Visa Type | Visa Subclass | Requirement Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Regional (Provisional) | Subclass 489 | Must have held this visa for at least 2 years prior to application. |
| Skilled Regional Sponsored | Subclass 475 / 487 | Must have complied with all regional stay and work conditions. |
| Skilled Independent Regional | Subclass 495 | Previous holders transitioned to the permanent 887 pathway. |
| Designated Area Sponsored | Subclass 496 | Specifically, for those sponsored by a relative in a designated area. |
| Bridging Visa A or B | BVA / BVB | Only if granted after applying for a 489, 495, or 487 visa. |
The 2-Year Regional Residency Rule
For this visa program you are required to provide the evidence that you have lived in a specified regional area for a total of at least two years.
Specific Areas: You had to have resided in a Regional and Low Population Growth Metropolitan Area in order to be nominated by a State or Territory administration.
Designated Areas: You had to reside in a Designated Area if you were sponsored by a family member.
The 12-Month Full-Time Work Requirement
In this pillar, you are required to provide proof that you have worked for a duration of at least 1 year in a specified regional area. You are required to show that you have successfully completed the 35 hours per week requirement, which can be achieved by completing multiple part-time jobs. Unlike your provisional visa programs where you are then required to work in your nominated occupation, this visa program doesn’t restrict you to and can work from retail and hospitality to professional services.
Health, Character, and Values
For this pillar of Requirement, you are required to satisfy the following criteria of health, character and values:
Functional English: All applicants aged 18+ must have “Functional English” through various English Proficiency tests approved by DHA (e.g., IELTS 4.5 average or equivalent PTE, TOEFL scores). If they do not, a Second Installment fee of $4,890 is required.
Character: You must provide an AFP (Australian Federal Police) check and police clearances from any country you lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years.
Australian Values: Every applicant over 18 must sign the Australian Values Statement, confirming they will respect the laws and lifestyle of the country.
Subclass 887 Cost
As financial aspect of anything should always be considered while regarding anything, you should take it into consideration. Budgeting for your Permanent residency in 2026 is one of the main aspects you are required to account for in your migration journey. The subclass 887 is one of the most cost-effective pathways as it expands upon your prior investment in a provisional regional visa and has a base application fee that is far less than that of other skilled migration categories.
| Fee Category | Applicant Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Base Application Charge | Main Applicant | AUD $505 |
| Additional Applicant Charge | Aged 18 and over | AUD $250 |
| Additional Applicant Charge | Aged under 18 | AUD $130 |
| Second Installment Fee | Applicants 18+ without Functional English | AUD $4,890 |
| Credit Card Surcharge | All online payments | ~1.4% |
Subclass 887 Processing Time
With the scrutiny of the DHA to process the decision ready documents, understanding the Subclass 887 processing time is a prerequisite that needs to be satisfied. It is the last step in the process of Permanent Residency in Australia. In 2026, DHA continues to balance the high volume of legacy applications with the modern system implemented by the DHA.
| Application Completion | Estimated Processing Time |
|---|---|
| 50% of Applications | 8 Months |
| 75% of Applications | 17 – 21 Months |
| 90% of Applications | 22 – 24 Months |
Steps to Apply for Subclass 887 Visa
As the scrutiny for the subclass 887 visa application is getting tougher as of 2026, you need to manage the process with precision. As it is a methodical process to move from a provisional regional visa to Subclass 887 permanent residency. If you want to make sure that your application has a positive outcome, then you must go through the following steps and follow them step by step:
Step 1: Verify Eligibility and Timing
The first step in the application process is to ensure that you have met the “2+1” rule that is set for this visa program. This rule basically states that you are required to have 2 years of working experience and should be working for at least 1 year.
Step 2: Gather Evidence
In this step of subclass 887 application, you are required to provide the following evidence that needs to be submitted to the DHA:
- You are required to provide residency proof of 24 months showing evidence like Leases, utility bills, bank statements showing regional transactions.
- You need to provide the proof of employment with 12 months of pay slips, Australian Taxation Office (ATO) income statements, and superannuation records.
- You are required to provide the proof of Identity & English by providing valid passports and a proof showing an applicant has Functional English. You can provide the proof by scoring the required score in specific English Proficiency test approved by the DHA like IELTS, PTE, TOEFL
Step 3: Health and Character Checks
If you want your application to move forward at a rapid pace without having to wait a longer queue, then you need to make sure that your health and character checks are done before time to ensure that you save time. This proactive move can lead to your application being completed 8 months prior to the designated time. Before you begin with your lodging process, you are required to complete the following requirements:
AFP Check: Get a clearance from the Australian Federal Police.
Obtain police clearances from any nation where you have resided for more than 12 months throughout the previous ten years.
Health Exams: To schedule a medical examination with Bupa Visa Medical Services (or comparable providers in 2026), use your HAP ID through ImmiAccount.
Step 4: Online Lodgment via ImmiAccount
Once all your requirements for the health and character checks have been gathered successfully, you are then required to lodge your visa application through the ImmiAccount portal. After that you are required to pay the AUD $505 base charge and the additional credit card charges. If you have applied for the visa program while being inside the turf of Australia, then you will be granted with a BVA until your visa is being processed.
Step 5: Document Upload & Biometrics
Once your application has been successfully lodged through the ImmiAccount portal, the next step in the process is to upload documents and biometrics. You need to provide clear labels showing your documents like Payslip_of_July_2025.pdf to make the navigation easier.
Additionally, you are required to provide biometrical details if requested by the DHA. In this case, you need to visit an Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) to provide fingerprints and photos.
Step 6: Wait for Assessment and Finalization
After you have uploaded all the documents that are required to be uploaded, the next step is to wait. In this process, you are required to Monitor your ImmiAccount regularly. If the DHA discovers gaps in your residency in 2026, they may send a Request for Information (RFI). After a Case Officer examines your application then you will receive your Permanent Residency Grant Notice via email.
FAQs
Yes, it is possible but with a major red flag. You will have satisfied the two-year residency requirement after you submit a successful Subclass 887 application. Your Bridging Visa A (BVA) often does not have a requirement that you remain in the regional area if you are onshore. But we here at BJay suggests you that you stay in the regional area until grant if that is possible.
No. One of the best features that is available that Subclass 887 provides is that it is a residency visa and not a skilled visa which are traditional. Since you already provided a Skills Assessment for your provisional visa (489, 475, etc.), the DHA does not require a new one. You only need to prove you lived and worked in the region for the required duration.
Yes. After you have successfully received your visa lodgment acknowledge for subclass 887, you are considered as an individual who is eligible for the feature of Medicare provided by the Australian government. For this specific visa program, you are not required to wait for the visa grant to be processed and are able to access the Australia’s public healthcare system after the lodgment acknowledgement. You must take your valid passport and application receipt showing lodgment details to the Services Australia center.
All the applicant who are applying for the Subclass 887 visa who are over the age of 18 are required to have the ability to show that they have “Functional English”. This can be achieved by providing certificates from various DHA certified English Test like IELTS, PTE, TOEFL. The required score for these criteria is an IELTS average of 4.5 or PTE of 30 or equivalent scores. If a dependent who is applying from you is not able to satisfy this requirement, then they are required to pay the AUD $4,890 Second Installment fee.
If you work 35 hours across 3 different jobs to satisfy the requirement of 12 months of full-time work, then it counts as it indicates full-time work as at least 35 hours per week has been achieved. As long as the work was done inside a designated regional postcode and the total hours met the requirement, you can do this by combining many part-time jobs or even working for yourself.
More than simply fulfilling the requirements is needed to successfully navigate the Subclass 887 visa transition from provisional to permanent residency in 2026, you require a strong evidence-based approach is also necessary. Our specialty at BJay Education & Visa Services, under the direction of Jaya Oli (MARN 1570827), is making sure that your years of dedication to regional Australia led to a successful PR grant.
Why BJay?
Proven Expertise: With 13 years of experience in Visa services in Australia, we here at BJay Education & Visa Services have been providing tailored services to help you navigate through the complex migration scenes of Australia.
Expertise Team: Led by Mr. Jay Oli (MARN: 1570827), we have an exceptional team that is there to solve any queries and help you with your application. The team is well trained to provide the services that you may require assistance with.
Global Presence & Local Support: With offices present in multiple locations throughout Nepal (Putalisadak and Birtamode) and a head office in Sydney, BJay provides you with seamless support you may require whether you are in your home country or already in the turf of Australia.
Legislative Insight: Our legal team makes sure your application is positioned strategically to take advantage of the current government processing priorities by staying ahead of the latest Ministerial Directions, such as Direction 105.
Having Troubles Applying for Subclass 887? Book a Free Nonobligatory Consultation with BJay now!
