Update (October 2026)
These concessions ended with the COVID-19 concession period on 25 November 2023. Since then, 887 applicants must be in Australia (but not in immigration clearance) when they apply and must meet the standard regional residence and full-time work requirements. See our 887 visa page and our COVID-19 concession period ending post.
The new COVID-19 Concessions for Subclass 887 are to ensure applicants are not disadvantaged by circumstances beyond their control, including border closures, restrictions imposed on businesses and the general economic downturn related to COVID-19.
The new concessions are in relation to application requirements, and visa criteria requiring specified periods of residence and full-time work in regional Australia. The Subclass 887 visa is a permanent visa and the amendments assist holders of qualifying provisional visas or related bridging visas, who are on a pathway to the permanent visa.
The Subclass 887 (Skilled – Regional) visa is a permanent visa. These amendments allow flexibility in meeting visa eligibility requirements for prospective Subclass 887 visa applicants and their families who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 concessions are:
From 19 September 2020, COVID concessions to lodgement and eligibility requirements will be available to eligible prospective Skilled – Regional visa (subclass 887) applicants where they meet criteria set out below.
Eligible applicants make their visa application outside Australia and be granted the visa while outside Australia during the COVID concession period, commencing 1 February 2020.
Applicants outside of Australia
Eligible prospective subclass 887 visa applicants can make their visa application outside Australia during the concession period and be granted the visa while they are outside Australia. Applicants outside of Australia who lodge during the concession period are given access to shorter employment requirements and shorter residence requirements.
These applicants must provide evidence of at least:
- 9 months full-time work in a specified regional area (or, if the Minister specifies a shorter period in a legislative instrument, that shorter period), and
- 18 months residence in a specified regional area (or, if the Minister specifies a shorter period in a legislative instrument, that shorter period).
Applicants inside Australia
Eligible prospective subclass 887 applicants inside Australia who lodge during the concession period are given access to shorter employment requirements.
These applicants must provide evidence of at least:
- 9 months full-time work in a specified regional area, and
- 2 years of residence in a specified regional area.
| Location | Employment concession (3 months off the 12 month requirement) | Residence concession (6 months off the 2 year requirement) |
|---|---|---|
| Onshore lodgement | Yes | No |
| Offshore lodgement | Yes | Yes |
Related:
- COVID-19 concession period ending
- COVID-19 concessions for Employer-Sponsored visas (SC457-482 and 186-187)
- COVID-19 Concessions for Business visas
- COVID-19 Concessions for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visas
- COVID-19 Concessions for Skilled Regional 887 visa
- COVID-19 waiver for offshore Partner visa grant requirement
What this means in 2026
The COVID-19 concessions for the Skilled Regional (subclass 887) visa allowed offshore applications and counted some time outside regional Australia. They ended with the COVID-19 concession period on 25 November 2023, so every 887 applicant now has to meet the standard rules in full.
| Requirement | During COVID-19 (2020 to 2023) | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Where you apply | Eligible applicants could apply and be granted outside Australia | You must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when you apply |
| Regional residence | Some time affected by COVID-19 could be counted | At least 2 years living in a specified regional area while holding an eligible visa |
| Regional work | Concessions for COVID-19 affected work | At least 1 year of full-time work (35 hours or more a week) in a specified regional area |
| Government charge | The charge in force at the time | AUD 630 for the main applicant from 1 July 2026 |
Who can still apply for the 887 visa?
You need to hold, or have held, an eligible provisional visa such as the subclass 489, 495, 496, 487 or 475, or a bridging visa linked to one of them, and meet the regional residence and work requirements, plus health and character. The 489 closed to new applicants when the 491 started on 16 November 2019, so far fewer people are now eligible.
I hold a 491 visa. Is the 887 my pathway?
No. 491 holders move to permanent residence through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) after holding the 491 for at least 3 years and meeting its regional living and working requirements.
What if my 489 visa is about to expire before I meet the 887 requirements?
Get advice early. Depending on your circumstances, options can include another regional provisional visa, an employer sponsored visa or a different skilled visa. Our visa options assessment can help you compare them.
Next steps: count your regional residence and full-time work carefully against your visa dates, keep payslips, tax records and lease or utility evidence for each address, and make sure you are in Australia when you lodge. For current charges, see visa application fees from 1 July 2026.
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