The 887 visa is a permanent visa with which you can work and study anywhere in Australia. It lets you stay in Australia indefinitely. Well, let us see the processing requirements and the eligibility for 887 visa in this post.
887 visa processing overview
887 visa is applicable for the people who have lived and worked in specified regional areas of Australia. You have to satisfy the requirements of 2 years residency and 1 year work experience. You can get the up to date details in home affairs website. However, we will see the mandatory information and work from home requirement, which DOHA did not mention in their website.
- It is a pathway to permanent residency (PR) for people who hold a subclass 489, 495, 496, 475 or 487, or a Bridging visa A or B after applying for a subclass 489, 495 or 487 visa.
- Have lived in a specified regional area of Australia for at least two years.
- Should have worked full time in a specified regional area for at least one year.
887 Visa Cost and Processing time
- Cost: 425 AUD
- 75% of applications: 14 months
- 90% of applications: 20 months
COVID-19 Concessions | 887 visa processing
DoHA has released new laws to support people, who have stuck overseas due to COVID-19 restrictions. It is also applicable for the people, who may have lost their job. If you are one among them and affected from February 2020 or now, then these concessions may applicable for you. Please have an eye on home affairs concession page to get the update on when when this concession period ends.
COVID concessions will be applicable to eligible prospective Skilled – Regional Visa (subclass 887) applicants from 19 September 2020. They can lodge 887 visa with the below eligibility where they meet the processing requirements.
Applicants outside Australia
People who would like to apply for 887 visa can make their visa processing outside Australia during the concession period. Apparent to that, they could be granted the visa while they are outside Australia. Moreover, they are eligible to shorter employment and residency requirements for subclass 887 visa (entitled to the COVID-19 concessions).
These applicants must provide evidence of at least 9 months full-time work in a specified regional area. Similarly, they should provide 18 months residence in a specified regional area.
Applicants inside Australia
People who are already inside Australia and looking to apply for the 887 visa , can lodge during the concession period. At least no later than three months after the end of the concession period (to be announced). They should provide evidence minimum of 9 months full-time work and 2 years of residence in a specified regional area.
| Location | Employment concession | Residence concession |
| Onshore lodgement | 9 months evidence is required | 2 years residence proof |
| Offshore lodgement | 9 months evidence is required | 18 months residence proof |
The 489 visa holder
People who have applied for 489 visa on or around August 2019 were the last remnants who escaped from 491 visa requirements. This is because they are lucky enough to demonstrate only 1 year of work experience. In addition, there is no minimum threshold of income to meet. On the other hand, 491 visa, has an unfortunately high-income level threshold. Moreover, you must maintain the income for three years period to be eligible for 191 visa, (replacement of 887 visa processing). 489 visa is eligible for 4 years whereas 491 visa is eligible for 5 years.
Now we will see the eligibility requirements for 489 to 887 visa processing.
2 years residence proof for 887 visa processing
Obviously, this is straight forward condition. You have to stay in the specified regional area for 2 years if you hold 489 visa.
Here are some highlighted points
- Once you have applied for 887, you will not be able to add on any residency periods after the application is lodged.
- You can take up to 4 weeks vacation per year and travel outside Australia. Conversely, if you take more than 4 weeks then you have to add that period as well before lodging visa.
- These 2 years of residency do not have to be consecutive and they do not have to be just in one specified regional area.
- If your 4 years period of 489 visa is expired before you get the 887 visa, then the Bridging visa will be into effect.
- With the bridging visa you are free to work and live anywhere in Australia and have no conditions attached. On the other hand, whilst your 489 still exists, you are still restricted to your 489 visa conditions.
- You have to notify DOHA if the secondary applicant is not able to make Initial Entry with the following mail. This is applicable only during COVID restrictions to get the waive off for the IED.
Mail Id: skilled.support@homeaffairs.gov.au
Initial Entry Date – Waive off
Dear Sir/Madam,
This is regarding my spouse and kid’s IED.
I am <Primary applicant name> currently in Adelaide, SA with 489 visa (Skilled – Regional Sponsored).
My wife and kid are currently in overseas (location) and was planning to travel to Australia in the mid of April. Nonetheless, with the Corona virus pandemic, they had to reconsider their travel plans. Hence, it is not safe and advisable to travel at this time.
Their Initial Entry Date is on <date> and we are not sure if the situation will get better by that time.
We are extremely keen on migrating to Australia. But based on the circumstances we would request you to waive the IED for my wife and kid.
I have attached their grant letter for your reference. Please let us know if you require anything else from our end.
Response from DOHA
You will get an automated mail from the DOHA with the following information.
Dear Sir/Madam
If you have been granted one of the below visas and you are unable to make your first entry into Australia by the date specified in your Grant Notification letter due to the travel restrictions currently in place due to COVID-19, please refer to the attached Information for First Entry to Australia.
Generally you will be able to arrive in Australia after the initial entry date, as long as it is before the “Must not arrive after date” specified in your visa Grant Notification letter. You do not need to be granted an “extension” to your initial entry date or visa.
The attached notice should be sufficient evidence for a travel provider to be satisfied that the visa holder can enter Australia as the holder of a Skilled visa. Visa holder(s) may wish to carry a copy of this notice to present to the airline when checking in at the airport and on arrival into Australia. Please note that some delays may be encountered upon arrival into Australia while visa validity is verified.
· Skilled Independent (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (subclass 190), Skilled Regional (subclass 489), Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491)
We cannot extend the validity period of your visa. If your Skilled Migration visa ceases and you have not entered Australia you will need to apply for another visa.
You can check visa details and conditions through Visa Entitlement Verification Online system (VEVO).
And with the attached information for the first entry to Australia.
One Year Work Experience for 887 visa processing
During the time when you lodge, you should meet the 887 visa processing requirements for one year work experience. Similar to the residence criteria, you will not be able to add work experience after you lodge 887 visa. You can accumulate 52 pay slips (1 year work) by multiple shorter periods. The employment can be permanent or contract, full time or multiple part time jobs. Apparently, the work hours should be 35 or above in a week.
The applicant should have physically worked in the specified regional areas attached to their visa conditions. Nevertheless, their employer can be anywhere inside Australia. Consequently, you can work remotely from your regional area for the interstate companies as well. I have verified this from the immigration department by phone (13 18 81) and got the email proof as well.
It also does not matter what type of work you are doing. There is absolutely no requirement that the work is related to the nominated occupation. You can do Menulog food deliver or Uber driver or working in a restaurant to meet the work requirement. You can have a business trips to interstate to attend the client meetings but these trips cannot be frequent. Eventually, they are acceptable so long as the applicant’s place of work is within those specified areas.
Employment reference format
You should get the reference from the company’s letterhead. It should clearly shows the employer’s full address, contact number, email or website with their signature. It should also clearly mention that the name of the employee with the following information,
- Period of employment
- Permanent or temporary, full-time or part-time
- Duration of the week (37.5 hrs or 40 hrs)
- the position(s) you held and duties undertaken
- your salary.
Other 887 visa processing requirements for primary applicant
While applying for 489 visa you are the primary applicant and your spouse would be the secondary applicant. However, by the time when you lodge, either you or your partner needs to satisfy the criteria of 887 visa. That said, it does not matter if the secondary applicant is switching to the main applicant.
At the time you apply for 887 visa, the primary applicant must provide Functional English proof. It is one of the processing requirements for non-English speaking countries. By the time you apply for 887, your IELTS/PTE report might be expired. Therefore, you have to either provide a letter from your college stating that your medium of study is English. Otherwise, you can appear for the English test again.
You and any family members who apply for 887 visa with you must meet DOHA health and character requirement. You might not be eligible if you have had a visa cancelled or refused while you were in Australia.
Checklist for 887 visa (pathway to PR)
Address evidence
Lease Agreement
Mobile Bill
Internet Bill
Electricity Bill
Bank Statement (both Primary and Secondary Applicants)
Medical Bills
Work requirement proof
Primary Applicant
52 salary slips
PAYG payment summary (Get this from MyGov ATO site)
Job offer letters
Work experience certificates
Salary bank statement
Superannuation statement (Get this from MYGov ATO site)
AFP Police Check (Get this about two weeks before applying. You can apply online and select option 33 for police clearances for immigration/citizenship)
Secondary Applicant
PAYG payment summary
Work experience certificate
Salary bank statement
Superannuation statement
AFP Police Check
Miscellaneous Documents
For both Primary and Secondary applicants if applicable
Drivers Licence
Proof of Age Card
Overseas Passport
Marriage Certificate
Functional English Proof (Non-English speaking countries)
Form 80
Form 1221
Tenancy receipts. Ideally, ledgers are adequate
Tenancy agreements and bond lodgment forms
Overseas police clearance
ATO notices of assessments for all years (Get this from MyGov ATO site)
Car Registration
School documents
Kid’s vaccination report
489 Visa documents
In case if you have any queries, you can mail or call DOHA with the below contact details.
gsm.allocated@homeaffairs.gov.au
skilled.support@homeaffairs.gov.au
Contact Number: 13 18 81
Frequently asked questions
General questions
- Can I go overseas after lodging 887 visa?
You will get bridging visa A once you lodge 887 visa and it will be activated if your 489 visa expires. You can go to offshore while you are in 489 visa but you have to come back before the 489 visa expires. Otherwise bridging visa will not be activated.
- What documents are required to add new born baby after lodging 887 visa?
Upload passport, birth certificate, additional applicant form (Form 1436) and changes in circumstances form (Form 1022) in immi account. In addition, send out a mail to skilled.support@homeaffairs.gov.au with all those documents.
- How long does it take to get your medicare card in post?
4 to 6 weeks.
- Which option I have to select for PCC check?
33 – Immigration/Citizenship.
- Is it mandatory to submit functional English proof for primary applicant?
Yes, it is mandatory for applicants from non-english speaking countries. If it is expired, then you have to appear for the test again or get a letter from the college.
2 years residency questions
- After lodging 887 visa, can I move to any other state?
Yes you can move to another regional area (zip code specified in your visa conditions) but not to cities. However, if your 489 visa expires before you get 887 visa and if you hold bridging visa: you can move to any location inside Australia.
- When I first arrived, I have stayed with my relative for 2 weeks. How can I show show the residency evidence for those days?
You can provide a statutory declaration signed in front of JP (Justices of the Peace).
- I have gone for vacation to overseas for 2 months. Do I need to wait for 2 months (along with my 2 years stay) before I lodge 887 visa?
Yes, you have to wait for those days if it exceeds 4 weeks. If you go outside outside Australia for less than 4 weeks per year, then you can ignore it.
Work related questions
- Can I work remotely from the sponsored state to the employer who is interstate?
Yes, working remotely from your regional area for interstate based companies is acceptable employment. But still as long as your primary residence and base of employment is your sponsored state.
- Can I combined two jobs: one from TFN and the other from ABN (jobs performed by food delivery or other)?
Yes you can.
