Legacy 489 visa holders
Holders of the older Subclass 489 (provisional skilled regional) use 887 as the PR pathway. 489 is no longer granted but existing holders remain.
887 vs 191 · Legacy Visa Holders · Regional PR Routes
Is the Subclass 887 still relevant?
Our skilled team Gurjeev Bhalla and Sourabh Aggarwal advises on regional PR pathways from Brisbane, Darwin, Gold Coast, and Cairns. The 887 was the regional PR pathway for older regional provisional visa holders. With the newer 191 replacing it for most recent grants, does 887 still matter? For many applicants, yes. Here is the current picture.
Who still uses 887
Three groups.
Specific cohorts continue to use the 887 pathway.
Pre-November 2019 regional holders
Applicants whose provisional regional visa predates 491 commencement. 887 remains the appropriate PR route.
Some 491 holders transitioning
In specific circumstances, older 491 grants can qualify for 887 instead of 191. Case-by-case.
887 core requirements
Two-year regional test.
887 requires specific regional residence and work.
2 years regional livingLived in designated regional area for at least 2 years. Broader than 191 3-year requirement.
1 year regional workWorked full-time for at least 1 year in designated regional area. Full-time work definition applies.
No income testUnlike 191, the 887 does not have a minimum income test. Work requirement only.
Compliance with prior visaNo breach of prior provisional visa conditions during the qualifying period.
887 vs 191
Which applies?
The choice is determined by which provisional visa the applicant holds.
Older provisional visas (489, pre-2019 regional)
887 pathway. 2 years residence + 1 year work. No income test.
Current 491 and 494 visas
191 pathway. 3 years regional residence + income test for each year.
Transitional cases
Some cases have eligibility for both 887 and 191. Choose based on which requirements you meet first.
The 887 does not have an income test.
Unlike the 191, the 887 does not require applicants to meet a minimum income threshold each year. For lower-earning workers holding older provisional regional visas, the 887 pathway is often more accessible than the newer 191.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
For regional PR pathway selection, book with Gurjeev Bhalla.
I hold a 491 granted in 2021. Do I apply for 887 or 191?
191 applies for 491 grants. 887 is for older provisional regional visas.
Can I apply for 887 without full-time work?
Full-time work is a requirement. Part-time work does not satisfy the 887 work test even at high total hours.
Can I apply for 887 while my bridging visa continues?
Standard bridging visa processing applies during 887 review.
Does remote work from regional area count?
For 887, work should be genuinely in regional area. Remote work for metro employer from regional location is a boundary case. Detailed review.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.