Pathways to permanent residency
After you have lived and worked in Australia on this visa, there are several permanent visas that you can apply for.
When can you apply for a permanent visa?
You can apply for a permanent visa after you have:
- lived for two (2) years in a Specified Regional Area and worked, including being self-employed, for one (1) year in these same areas.
See: Specified regional areas
or - obtained sponsorship under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.
Which permanent visas can you apply for?
You can apply for any permanent visa in Australia, however the Skilled - Regional (Residence) visa (subclass 887) is specifically designed for holders of a provisional skilled visa who wish to apply for permanent residency.
See:
Skilled - Regional (Residence) visa (subclass 887)
The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 857) has reduced eligibility requirements for holders of a Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclasses 475 and 487) or a Skilled – Independent Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 495).
See: Concessions for the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 857)