COVID-19 concessions to assist prospective Skilled Regional (subclass 887) visa applicants
Subclass 887 visa applicants usually have to lodge their applications in Australia. Immigration regulations also stipulate that the applicant has to be in Australia when the residency is granted.
Due to COVID-19, many visa holders are stuck overseas at the moment.
Australia has thus decided to make temporary concessions to enable some applicants to apply and get their Subclass 887 visa from outside of the country. These changes come into effect on 19 September 2020.
You must meet work and residence criteria to be eligible
As explained above, you’ll now be able to apply for your Subclass 887 visa even if you’re outside of Australia. This is subject to you meeting certain requirements. Specifically, work and residence criteria. You’ll have to be able to provide evidence of at least:
- 9 months full-time work in a specific regional area (or, if a shorter period is specified in a legislative document, that shorter period), an
- 18 months residence in a specified regional area (or, if a shorter period is specified in a legislative document, that shorter period).
These time frames are usually slightly longer at 1 year and 2 years respectively, so the shorter time frames is a further concession to applicants from outside Australia.
Australia has made similar concessions for onshore applicants. You can view these concessions on the website of the Department of Home Affairs.
This is for visa applications lodged on or after 19 September 2020
The concession comes into effect 19 September and thus apply to visa applications lodged on or after this date. It is also only applicable to applications lodged during the COVID-19 concession period.
This concession period came into effect on 1 February 2020 and is ongoing until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Contact us if you need assistance with your Subclass 887 visa application
The emigration landscape is constantly changing due to COVID-19, so we urge you to work with an immigration advisor who’s up to date on all the latest developments.
You’re welcome to contact us for assistance should you need it! You can reach us at +21 (0) 21 424 2460 or via email at info@intergate-emigration.com. Our advisors are all MARA licensed which means you can rest assured that you’re getting the right advice!