What can you do on a subclass 887 visa in 2026: Medicare, work, sponsoring relatives
What a subclass 887 visa lets you do in 2026: Medicare, work and study, sponsoring relatives, travel and citizenship.
A subclass 887 visa (Skilled Regional visa) lets you stay in Australia permanently, work and study, enrol in Medicare, attend free English classes through the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) if you are eligible, sponsor relatives to come to Australia, and travel in and out of Australia for five years from the date of grant. That list comes from the Department of Home Affairs' Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887) official page, as at July 2026, and it is matched by one obligation on the same page: you and your family members must obey Australian laws. This article is general information about how the visa works, not advice tailored to your circumstances, so for a decision that affects your own status, rely on the official page or on a qualified professional rather than on this summary.
Is subclass 887 permanent, or does it expire after five years?
It is permanent. The visa lets you stay in Australia indefinitely, and it does not stop being permanent when the five-year period ends. What expires after five years is the travel facility attached to the visa, not the visa itself.
The distinction matters in practice:
| Element | What the official page says |
|---|---|
| Length of stay | Permanent — you can stay in Australia indefinitely |
| Travel facility | Runs for 5 years from the date the visa was granted |
| After 5 years | You need a Resident Return visa (subclass 155 or 157) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident |
If you remain in Australia, expiry of the travel facility changes nothing about your right to be here. If you leave after it has expired and want to come back as a permanent resident, you need the Resident Return visa first.
Can I work and study anywhere in Australia?
Yes. Work and study are listed without geographic or occupational limits on the subclass 887 page, which reflects the fact that the visa is not sponsored by an employer or a state or territory government.
You are also protected by Australian workplace law. The subclass 887 page points to the Fair Work Ombudsman's material on the workplace rights and entitlements of visa holders and migrant workers. In practical terms, your pay, hours, leave and protections at work are governed by Australian workplace law, not by your visa conditions.
Can I enrol in Medicare?
Yes. The visa page lists enrolment in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare, among the things you can do with this visa.
A separate point applies to government payments generally. Newly arrived residents may need to wait before they can access certain Australian Government payments and benefits, and the subclass 887 page links to that waiting-period information. The waiting period relates to payments and benefits, not to Medicare enrolment, and the two are often confused.
Do I get free English classes?
If you are eligible, yes. The visa page lists attendance at free English language classes through the Adult Migrant English Program as something this visa allows. Eligibility is a separate question from visa status, so holding subclass 887 is what makes you eligible to be considered, not an automatic entitlement to a place.
Can I sponsor relatives once I hold subclass 887?
Yes. Sponsoring relatives to come to Australia is listed among the rights that come with the visa, and the subclass 887 page describes you as an Australian permanent resident who might be able to sponsor eligible family.
Two limits are worth being clear about. First, "eligible" does the work here: sponsorship is only possible through a visa that your relative qualifies for in their own right. Second, sponsorship is a commitment you take on, not just a form you sign — the relative still has to meet the requirements of the visa they apply for.
Suppose an applicant wants to bring a parent to Australia after being granted subclass 887. The grant removes the barrier that applied while they held a provisional visa, but the parent still needs to satisfy the criteria of whichever family or parent visa they apply for, and the subclass 887 holder takes on the role of sponsor.
How long can I travel in and out of Australia?
You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want for five years from the date the visa was granted. After that, you need a Resident Return visa (subclass 155 or 157) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
The exact end date of your travel facility is shown in your visa record in VEVO, which is the system the Department of Home Affairs uses for checking visa details and conditions. Your visa is digitally linked to your passport, and the page states that you will not get a label in your passport.
If you hold a New Zealand passport
There is a specific trap at the border. If an immigration officer processes your clearance, the Department of Home Affairs recommends you tell them two things: that you have a Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887), and that you do not want a Special Category visa (subclass 444).
If you do not say so, you might be granted a subclass 444 visa. A grant of subclass 444 brings your permanent visa to an end, which then affects your eligibility for Australian citizenship.
When does my permanent residence start for citizenship?
For citizenship purposes, your permanent residence starts on the day the visa was granted if you were in Australia, or on the day you enter Australia on this visa if you were outside Australia at the time of grant.
Your residence is counted from that start date, and eligibility for Australian citizenship depends on meeting the requirements that apply at the time you apply. The subclass 887 page describes citizenship as something you may become eligible for after a certain time, without setting out those requirements itself.
What must I do on this visa?
The obligation stated on the subclass 887 page is short: you and your family members must obey Australian laws. There are no separate work, study or residence conditions listed on the visa itself.
That single obligation covers a wide field in practice — tax, driving, tenancy, family law, and the workplace laws that protect you. Breaches of Australian law are dealt with under those laws, and serious breaches can also raise character issues that affect your immigration status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a subclass 887 visa give me Medicare straight away?
Medicare enrolment is listed as something you can do with this visa, so you can enrol once you hold it. A separate waiting period applies to certain Australian Government payments and benefits for newly arrived residents, which is a different matter from Medicare.
Can I sponsor my parents on a subclass 887 visa?
Sponsoring relatives to come to Australia is listed among the rights that come with the visa. Your relative still has to qualify for a visa in their own right, and you take on the obligations of a sponsor.
Do I lose my permanent residency if I am overseas when the five years end?
No. The visa is permanent and lets you stay in Australia indefinitely. What ends is the travel facility, so you would need a Resident Return visa (subclass 155 or 157) to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident.
Can I add a family member after my subclass 887 application has been submitted?
No. The Department of Home Affairs states that you must include each family member who is eligible to apply at the time you lodge, and you cannot add family members after you have submitted your application.
Am I entitled to free English classes on this visa?
The visa allows you to attend free English language classes through the Adult Migrant English Program if you are eligible. Eligibility is assessed separately from your visa status.
When does my permanent residence start if I was outside Australia when the visa was granted?
For citizenship purposes, your permanent residence starts on the day you enter Australia on this visa. If you were in Australia at the time of grant, it starts on the day of grant.