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Visas, Immigration and Refugees

Professionals and other Skilled Migrants

Skilled – Regional (Residence) visa (subclass 887)

How this visa works

Recent Changes in General Skilled Migration

Detailed information about recent changes in the general skilled migration program is available.
See: What's New? Recent Changes in General Skilled Migration

This is a permanent residence visa for holders of the following provisional visas:

  • 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)

Applicants must meet certain residence and work requirements in Australia before applying for this visa.

As a permanent resident you are permitted to remain in Australia indefinitely. This visa also allows you to travel to and enter Australia for five (5) years from the date the visa is granted. The expiry of this visa does not affect your permanent resident status if you are in Australia. However, if you wish to continue to travel to and from Australia as a permanent resident after the initial visa has expired, you must obtain a Resident Return Visa (RRV). Your eligibility for an RRV will depend on the period that you have resided in Australia.
See: Australian Permanent Residents

General Skilled Migration definitions

The following terms are used for General Skilled Migration visas.
See: General Skilled Migration definitions