The COVID-19 concessions are designed to ensure provisional and temporary visa holders are not disadvantaged by circumstances beyond their control during COVID-19 Pandemic, including Border closures, restrictions imposed on businesses and the general economic downturn related to COVID-19.

What is Subclass 887 Skilled Regional visa?

Subclass 887 is a permanent residency visa. This visa is for people who have lived and worked in specified areas of regional Australia on a previous, eligible visa.

At time of application, you must hold one of the following eligible visas for at least 2 years:

• subclass 489, 495, 496, 475 or 487 visa, or
• Bridging visa A or Bridging visa B, after having made a valid application for a subclass 489, 495 or 487 visa

What are new concessions for Subclass 887?

The concessions to Subclass 887 include:

• Former and current temporary visa holders can apply for a Subclass 887 while outside Australia during a concession period (01 February 2020 onwards).
• Subclass 887 visas can be granted to applicants who are outside Australia;
• Former and current provisional visa holders outside of Australia who lodge applications during concession period are given a reduction of maximum 6 months residence requirement
• Employment requirement will be reduced from 12 months to 9 months or even shorter, if the applicant held a provisional visa during a concession period and the application is made no later than three months after the end of the concession period.

Onshore and offshore subclass 887 visa applicants who can access to COVID 19 concessions with shorter employment and residence periods:

What is the COVID-19 concession period?

The COVID-19 concession period starts from 1 February 2020. The end date is still undecided because ongoing heath situation and associated uncertainty, an end date will be decided by the Minister and specified in the COVID-19 Concessions Regulations.

How do the concessions help 489 visa holders?

The COVID-19 concessions for Subclass 887 are particularly great news for Subclass 489 visa holders.

Subclass 887 previously only accepted onshore visa applications. Many of Subclass 489 visa holders stranded offshore by COVID 19 border closures. 

However, COVID-19 concessions offer a huge relief for offshore 489 visa holders, which allow them to continue applying for their permanent residency pathway Subclass 887.

During COVID-19 Pandemic, restrictions imposed on businesses and the general economic downturn related to COVID-19 caused many people losing their jobs, particularly those provisional visa holders. The reduction of residency and employment requirements certainly limit the impact of the COVID-19, especially for those onshore and offshore subclass 489 visa holders.

Do you need help?

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.