Regional (Residence) visas (subclass 887)

This visa allows individuals who already hold certain provisional visas to apply for permanent residency. This visa does not have points based requirements.

Applicants who are granted this visa are allowed to live as permanent residents in Australia. Australian permanent residents can do the following:

• Live and work in Australia on a permanent basis
• Study in Australia at school or university
• Receive subsidised healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
• Access certain social security payments
• Be eligible for Australian residency
• Sponsor people for permanent residence

Eligibility

Applicants are eligible to apply for this visa if they hold one of the following visas or are the spouse or interdependent partner of an applicant who holds one of:

• Skilled - Independent Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 495)
• Skilled - Designated Area - Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 496)
• Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 475)
• Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 487)

In order to be granted this visa, applicants must have lived in Australia for at least 2 years and worked full time for 12 months in a Specified Regional Area of Australia before lodging the visa application. Applicants must also have complied with the conditions of their visa.