What a subclass 887 application must prove in 2026, in the order a case officer checks it

A Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887) application succeeds on proof arranged in a predictable order: first an eligible visa and lawful status, then two years living in a specified regional area, then twelve months full-time work in that area, then compliance with visa conditions, and finally the decision-time criteria of English, health, character, the Australian values statement, cleared government debt and immigration history. The requirements below follow the Australian Department of Home Affairs official page Skilled Regional visa (Subclass 887), as at the July 2026 official page. This sequence is general reference material and is not personalised immigration advice; check it against that page and rely on paid help only from someone lawfully permitted to give immigration assistance, as explained in Home Affairs’ Who can help with your visa application guidance.

Do you hold an eligible visa when you apply?

All applicants must be in Australia and hold an eligible visa at the time a subclass 887 application is made, unless COVID-19 concessions apply. An eligible visa is a subclass 489, 495, 496, 475 or 487 visa, or a Bridging visa A or B held after making a valid application for a subclass 489, 495 or 487 visa. Where the 887 application is lodged outside Australia during the concession period, an eligible visa also includes one of those visas that expired during the concession period while the holder was outside Australia.

The person who will meet the 887 work and residence tests must also have held a subclass 489, 495, 496, 475 or 487 visa for a total of two years before applying. That two-year total counts only the subclass visas listed, not time on a bridging visa. The visa must have been granted either on the basis of satisfying the primary criteria or on the basis of being the spouse or de facto partner of the person who satisfied the primary criteria.

Can you prove two years of residence in the specified regional area?

At the time you apply, you must have lived for a total of at least two years, as the holder of one or more eligible visas, in the area that matches how your eligible visa was obtained. If a state or territory government nominated you, the time must be in a regional or low-population growth metropolitan area. If a family member sponsored you, the time must be in a designated area of Australia. Living periods on different eligible visas can be added together toward the two years.

Can you prove at least 12 months of full-time work in that area?

When you apply you must have worked full-time for at least 12 months as the holder of one or more eligible visas, in the same category of area: regional or low-population growth metropolitan area for state or territory nomination, or designated area for family sponsorship. Full-time work means 35 hours per week. Concurrent part-time jobs can be combined to reach 35 hours, and the work may be in your nominated occupation or any other occupation. Assume an applicant held two part-time roles at the same time — 20 hours and 15 hours a week — Home Affairs treats 35 hours reached by combining such concurrent employment as full-time for this purpose.

How do COVID-19 concessions shorten the residence and work periods?

COVID-19 concessions are available to eligible prospective 887 applicants and change the minimum employment and residence evidence. The standard rule is two years’ residence and 12 months full-time work. Inside Australia during the concession period, the residence minimum stays at two years while work drops to nine months full-time. Outside Australia during the concession period, both are reduced: 18 months residence and nine months full-time work.

Lodgement situation	Residence evidence	Work evidence
Standard rule (no concession)	2 years	12 months full-time
Inside Australia during the concession period	2 years	9 months full-time
Outside Australia during the concession period	18 months	9 months full-time

The offshore row can be shortened further only if the Minister specifies a shorter period in a legislative instrument; the page attaches that qualification to the offshore evidence. Concession eligibility and dates are governed by the Home Affairs concessions information, so confirm that material before relying on the reduced periods.

Did you comply with your eligible visa conditions?

You, and any family members holding an eligible visa, must have complied with the conditions attached to that visa while in Australia. This applies for the whole period you held the eligible visa or visas. A condition breach during any part of that time can therefore affect the application, even if the residence and work totals are otherwise met.

Do you meet the English requirement when the decision is made?

English is not a lodgement test. At the time a decision is made you must have functional English, or have already paid the second instalment of the visa application charge for your eligible visa, or pay that second instalment when asked. Meeting any one of those three alternatives satisfies the requirement.

Do you and your accompanying family meet the health requirement?

You and any family members applying for the visa with you must meet the health requirement. Because you already undertook a health examination for the eligible visa, Home Affairs states that in most circumstances you will not need to undertake another one. The requirement still applies to the people included in the application.

Do you meet the character requirement?

You and any family members aged 16 years or over who apply with you must meet the character requirement. Family members who are not accompanying you to Australia must also meet it. That means character clearance can extend to relatives outside the migration outcome.

Have you signed the Australian values statement if you are 18 or older?

If you are 18 years of age or older, you must have read, or had explained to you, the Life in Australia material. You must also confirm that you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws when you sign an Australian Values Statement.

Have you repaid money owed to the Australian Government?

If you or any family members owe the Australian Government money, that debt must have been paid back or arrangements made to pay it back. This rule covers family members even where they do not apply for the visa with you. Unpaid government debt can therefore block the application even when every other test is met.

Will a previous visa cancellation or refusal affect the decision?

Home Affairs says it will consider your immigration history when deciding, so you might not be eligible if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused. In some circumstances you may still be able to apply for a permanent visa. The page points to further information: the Limitations on applications in Australia material for in-Australia cases, and re-entry ban information for applicants outside Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to work in my nominated occupation for subclass 887?

No. The work requirement can be met in your nominated occupation or any other occupation. What matters is that the work was full time in the required regional or designated area while you held an eligible visa. Thirty-five hours a week can be reached by one job or by combining concurrent part-time roles.

Will I need a new health examination for the 887 application?

Usually not. Home Affairs states that because you already undertook a health examination for the eligible visa, in most circumstances you will not need another one. The health requirement still has to be met by you and any accompanying family included in the application.

Do family members who are not migrating still need to meet requirements?

Yes for character and debt purposes. Family members not accompanying you must still meet the character requirement, and any money they owe the Australian Government must be repaid or arranged even if they do not apply. Accompanying family must meet the health requirement, while those aged 16 or over must also meet character.

Can I lodge subclass 887 from outside Australia?

Normally the applicant must be in Australia and hold an eligible visa when applying. The concession described on the official page allows some eligible applicants to lodge outside Australia during the concession period and be granted while outside, with shorter work and residence evidence. Whether that route is open depends on the concession criteria and dates.

When do I have to prove functional English?

English is assessed when a decision is made, not only at lodgement. The requirement is met if you have functional English, if you have already paid the second instalment of the visa application charge for your eligible visa, or if you pay that second instalment when asked. Because of this, the English evidence can arise later than the residence and work proofs.

Does time on a Bridging visa count toward the two-year holding period?

No. The two-year holding period before applying must come from a subclass 489, 495, 496, 475 or 487 visa. A Bridging visa A or B can make you eligible to apply after a valid 489, 495 or 487 application, but it is not counted toward that two-year total.

References

Australian Department of Home Affairs — Skilled Regional visa (Subclass 887)