Over several decades, Australia has become one of the most favoured destinations for workers across the globe. The Australian job sector offers great opportunities for skilled workers to grow their professional skills and change their fortune. The Skilled Migration Program of Australian Immigration allows overseas skilled workers to apply for skilled work visas, with which they can stay and work in Australia permanently.
The Skilled Regional Visa Subclass 887 is one such visa that enables the holder to work in a regional area of Australia. Unlike other skilled work visas, this visa is not points-based and requires the applicant to hold a substantive Australia visa at the time of application. From this blog, you can understand how this visa can enhance your work experience and how you can apply for the visa to fulfil your dream.
How can Visa 887 help you enhance your work experience?
The Subclass 887 Visa is an Australian permanent residency visa. So, it allows the holder to enjoy several rights the same as the citizens.
- You can stay, work, and study in Australia indefinitely without any restriction. So, if you think you will need to attend a specific training program to improve your skills, you can do that.
- There are laws to protect your workplace rights in Australia. While working as a permanent resident, you will get your salary at the pay rate the same as the salary rate at which an Australian citizen gets their payment for the same work in the same location.
- This visa will help you live in a specified regional area of Australia. It can be financially beneficial as living costs are relatively lower in regional areas than in major cities.
- Both citizens and permanent residents in Australia are allowed to enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health care scheme. Medicare benefits include free treatments and treatments at much-reduced costs at public hospitals. It means you will be able to save a lot of your income.
- You can sponsor the visa applications of eligible relatives if they want to come to Australia.
- After residing in Australia with the 887 Visa, you will be able to apply for citizenship.
- Once the Department of Home Affairs grants you the visa, you will be allowed to travel abroad and come back to Australia for the next five years.
Getting the chance to work for an employer without any restriction will undoubtedly be instrumental in sharpening your skills and growing your professional career. However, for that, a successful visa application is mandatory.
Basic eligibility for the Visa Subclass 887
For a successful application, you should first check whether you are eligible to apply for the visa. The basic eligibility criteria include:
- holding a provisional skilled visa like Subclass 487, 475, 495, 489, or 496, or holding a Bridging Visa A or B after applying for a Visa 495, 489, or 487
- staying for at least 2 years in a specified regional area in Australia
- 1-year work experience in a specified regional area in Australia
- meeting health and character requirements
- no outstanding debts to the Australian Government
- being physically present in Australia at the time of visa application and visa decision by the Department of Home Affairs
Your spouse or partner can also apply for the 887 Visa as a primary visa applicant. They should hold one of the above mentioned eligible visas and satisfy the basic eligibility requirements.
Know the specific work requirements for the 887 Visa
Because this visa is a skilled work visa, you should meet the specific work requirements mentioned below.
- First of all, you must have 1-year of work experience in a specific regional area. Specific regional areas include areas that have postcodes applicable to only applicants of Visa 489 and 887.
- One thing you should note is that the 1-year work experience in a specified regional area or a low-growth population area will be applicable if you had received a nomination by a state or territorial government for your provisional visa.
- However, if a family member or relative has sponsored you, working for 1 year in a designated regional area is required.
- Only full-time workers are eligible to apply. Full-time work means work for 35 hours per week. You will also be eligible if you have worked as a concurrent part-time worker.
- Make sure you have obtained work experience in the occupation you are nominated for. Working in a closely related occupation is also allowed.
Documents you need to submit
For your 887 Visa in Australia, you have to complete your application by submitting all the necessary documents. If you apply online, make sure you have prepared scanned copies of all the documents before the application.
Residential proof
Documentary evidence related to staying in a specified or designated regional area for 2 years will include:
- Lease agreements
- Title deeds of the residential property
- Gas and electricity bills
- Bills of other amenities
Health and character documents
- Results of health examinations
- Completed character forms
Keep in mind that you should first ask the authority whether or not you will need to go through health examinations.
Documents about work experience
- Payslips
- Employment references
- Tax returns
- Superannuation evidence or contracts
The employment reference should not contain any ambiguity and should include all the details about the employer.
Self-employed individuals have to submit the following:
- Properly registered company documents
- Documents related to tax
- Properly audited financial statements for a specific period
- Company prospectus, if any
- Important business contracts
After you submit your application, the Department of Home Affairs may ask you for further documents to submit. You should do it as quickly as possible. Remember that an incomplete application or application containing any misleading or false information will be rejected by the Department, which will ruin your chance to stay in Australia permanently. So, while applying, double-check all the documents to make sure they are consistent and genuine. A Registered Migration Agent Perth can help with the submission.
How much time does the visa take to get processed?
The 887 Visa processing time will depend on the number of applications lodged at a given time. For 75% of applications, it is about 12 months. The procedure takes about 18 months for 90% of applications.
It may take a longer duration if you do not respond timely to the inquiries made by the Department of Home Affairs. Remember that the applications are processed on a priority basis. So the earlier you start and complete the application procedure, the better it will be.
Comply with specific visa conditions
To enjoy your workplace rights while working for an Australian company with the 887 Visa, you should not violate the terms and conditions. Doing this will make you ineligible to apply for Australian citizenship.
Get in touch with an immigration service in Perth
Working and living in Australia will be a fantastic decision to make. However, to achieve your goal, you will need to get through the complex visa application procedure. There are several immigration firms in Perth that can help you with contacts of registered migration agents. Their guidance can make the procedure hassle-free and ensure a positive application outcome. So, before you start, hire an individual and complete the necessary form to submit along with the application.
