What Are The Requirement and Eligibility Criteria For Visa Subclass 887?
If you want to settle down in Australia permanently, permanent residence visas under the Department of Home Affairs’ General Skilled Migration Program will help you fulfil your dreams. One of these visas is the Skilled Regional Visa Subclass 887, which offers numerous benefits to overseas applicants who have stayed and worked in a regional area of Australia. You must meet specific eligibility criteria and document requirements to obtain this visa.
Eligibility Criteria of the Subclass 887 Visa
Before starting your application procedure, make sure you meet the following eligibility criteria.
Holding an Eligible Visa
While applying, you must be physically present in Australia and hold a valid and eligible visa unless you are subject to any COVID-19 concessions. Eligible visas include:
• Subclasses 475, 487, 496, 489, or 495
• Bridging Visa A or B, after you have applied for your 495, 487, or 489 Visa
If you have been outside Australia because of the COVID-19 pandemic and your eligible visa has expired during that period, you will still be eligible.
Also, note that you should have held one or more eligible substantive visas (487, 475, 489, 496, or 495 Visa) for at least 2 years before starting your 887 Visa application.
Meeting the Residence Requirements
Next, come the residence requirements. While applying, make sure you have stayed on an eligible visa for a minimum of 2 years in a:
• Low-population growth metropolitan area, if you have been nominated by a territory or state government for the visa, you have held
• Designated regional area of Australia, if you received the sponsorship from a family member for the visa, you have held
Meeting the Work Requirements
Another most important eligibility criterion for the Subclass 887 Visa is satisfying the employment requirements. At the time of your application, you must show to have worked as a full-time employee for a minimum of one year while holding one of the eligible visas in:
• A low-population growth metropolitan area if you have received your nomination from a territory or state government for the visa you have held
• A designated regional area if one of your eligible family members has sponsored you for the visa you have held
Note that in Australia, a full-time job means 35 hours of work every week. You will also have the option to combine your concurrent part-time employment to fulfil this condition.
There is no occupational restriction. Even if you did not work in your nominated occupation, you would be eligible.
Having Complied with the Eligible Visa Conditions
You should have complied with all the conditions attached to the previous visa for the whole period of your stay. Note that this requirement applies to secondary applicants, too.
English Language Proficiency
Because Australia is an English-speaking country, having a specific English language proficiency level is another vital requirement. For this visa, you must have a functional level of English.
Meeting the Health Requirements
All the individuals included in the application must fulfil the necessary health requirements. You must prove that you do not have a health condition that requires constant support from the Australian Government or community.
Because you had undergone health examinations while applying for the eligible visa, you may not be required to go through them again. Ask the authority for confirmation.
Meeting the Character Requirements
All applicants aged 16 or above have to satisfy the 887 Subclass Visa character requirements.
Remember that family members not included in the application will also need to fulfil this condition.
Having No Debts to the Government of Australia
- You or your family members must not have any outstanding debts to the Government of Australia. Here, family members mean dependent applicants and those who are not included in the application.
- Even if you have any current debts, you must arrange for repayment.
- No Record of Visa Cancellation or Refusal
- You should have no record of visa cancellation or refusal.
Signing the Australian Values Statement
Signing this document is necessary if you have already turned 18. When you sign it, you confirm that you will respect the Australian culture and laws while staying in this country.
What Are the Differences between a Low-Population Growth Metropolitan Area and a Designated Regional Area?
As an applicant for the 887 Visa Australia, you must be aware of the differences between a low-population growth metropolitan area and a designated regional area.
As the Department of Home Affairs specifies, regional or low-population growth metropolitan areas refer to specific postcodes where holders of Skilled Regional Provisional Visa Subclass 489 and Visa 887 can stay and work. On the other hand, designated regional areas refer to all the places except the metropolitan areas of three major Australian cities – Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.
What Are the COVID-19 Concessions?
Several COVID-19 concessions have been in place since 19 September 2020. Details are given below.
For Applicants Outside Australia
The Department of Home Affairs allows eligible applicants to make their application outside Australia in the concession period. Residence and employment requirements are shorter for these applicants.
If you are one of them, make sure you have sufficient evidence of:
• Having worked as a full-time employee for at least 9 months in a specified regional area, and
• Having stayed for at least 18 months in a specified regional area.
Note that you can work and stay for a shorter period if the relevant Ministry has specified that for you.
For Applicants Inside Australia
If you are eligible and physically present in Australia during your concession period, you can also apply for the visa. In that case, you will get a concession on only the job requirement.
You must have worked for at least 9 months in a specified regional area. However, showing 2 years of stay is mandatory here.
What Are the Document Requirements for the 887 Visa?
At the time of your Visa Subclass 887 application, you will have to gather and upload some crucial documents discussed here.
Residence Documents
• Rental agreements or leases
• Electricity, gas, and other utility bills that include your home address
• Home title deeds
• Any other documents
Work Documents
If you have worked for an Australian employer, submit:
• Employment references including information about your job role, your employment period, company name, and work hours
• Bank account statements
• ATO-issued notices of assessment
• Superannuation documents
If you have been a self-employed individual, submit:
• Business registration evidence
• BAS
• Audited financial documents over a given period
• Franchise agreements and contracts
• A company profile or prospectus
• Marketing documents
Identify Papers
• Passport details
• A national id card
• Proof of name change, if applicable
Relationship Documents
Marriage or registered relationship certificates will do.
Character Documents
All the applicants must provide a clearance certificate issued by the Australian Federal Police that is not more than 12 months old.
English Language Documents
Showing the result of an eligible English test will be enough.
Documents Related to Professional Assistance
If you plan to take professional guidance from a migration agent in Perth, do not forget to submit the filled-out Form 956.
Final Words
For smooth Immigration Perth and fulfilling your dreams of staying and working in this beautiful city of Western Australia, it is necessary to take professional help from a registered migration agent.
