REGIONAL SKILLED VISAS
The subclass 489 invited pathway is closed to new applications. Borderless Migration assists current and former visa holders with regional compliance, family subsequent entry and the subclass 887 permanent residence pathway.
Although new primary applications are closed, subclass 489 visa holders may still require professional guidance with their visa conditions, permanent residence pathway or eligible family members.
Understand the regional residence, work and study conditions attached to your subclass 489 visa and how they may affect your future visa options.
Eligible subclass 489 holders may be able to apply for permanent residence through the Skilled Regional visa subclass 887.
Eligible members of the family unit of certain regional provisional visa holders may still be able to apply through the subclass 489 subsequent entry pathway.
The subclass 887 pathway requires more than simply holding a 489 visa. Applicants must demonstrate that they held an eligible visa, satisfied the applicable regional residence and work requirements and complied with their visa conditions.
We review your subclass 489 grant history, visa conditions, regional locations, employment history and family circumstances to assess your potential subclass 887 eligibility.
We help organise evidence of where you lived and worked, including leases, bills, employment contracts, payslips, tax records and other documents supporting the relevant periods.
We provide a tailored checklist and review your identity, character, residence, employment, family and visa compliance documents before preparing the subclass 887 application.
We lodge the application, monitor its progress, assist with information requests and keep you informed until a decision is received.
A current provisional visa for eligible skilled workers nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member.
A permanent visa pathway for eligible holders of the subclass 489 and certain earlier regional provisional visas who satisfy the applicable residence and work requirements.
A provisional visa for skilled workers sponsored by an eligible employer in a designated regional area of Australia.
The subclass 489 invited pathway is closed to new applications, and an existing 489 visa cannot simply be extended. A limited subsequent entry pathway may remain available to eligible family members of certain regional provisional visa holders. New skilled applicants should generally investigate the subclass 491 visa instead.
The Skilled Work Regional Provisional visa subclass 491 is the current regional points-tested pathway for eligible applicants nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member.
Eligible subclass 489 holders may be able to apply for permanent residence through the Skilled Regional visa subclass 887. Applicants must meet the applicable visa-holding, regional residence, work and compliance requirements. Permanent residence is not automatic.
Unless an applicable concession applies, the primary applicant generally needs to have lived in a specified regional area for at least two years and worked full-time in the relevant area for at least 12 months while holding an eligible visa. Full-time work generally means at least 35 hours per week and can be in an occupation other than the occupation originally nominated.
There are many other reasons why Australian visa applications get refused including:
An eligible member of the family unit of a subclass 489 holder, or the holder of certain earlier regional provisional visas, may be able to apply through the subsequent entry pathway. The applicant must meet the relationship, health, character and other applicable requirements, and the visa generally remains valid only until the primary visa holder’s visa ends.
Your residence, employment history, visa conditions and supporting evidence can affect your eligibility for permanent residence. Book a consultation with Fatima El-Kheir to assess your position before proceeding.
