The COVID pandemic is bad for every individual. Every task was out of shape. There was no overseas trade, also the migration was not in progress. There was great confusion for Australian migration applications. But the government has found a solution. They have introduced COVID-19 concessions for visa applicants. These concessions were commenced on 19th September 2020. In the last few days, the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) has attended meetings with Acting Minister for Immigration Tudge and with very senior managers within the Department of Home Affairs about measures to protect and preserve the entitlements of temporary Australian visa holders and Australian visa applicants affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
You can use these concessions only in the concession period. The starting date of these concessions is 1st February 2020, and there is currently no last date. The concessions are for the following visa subclasses.
Subclass 887, skilled regional visa:
The visa applicants of subclass 887 can apply for a concession if they are stuck outside Australia. The eligible provisional visas can apply from within or outside Australia. If your provisional visa expires while outside Australia, you can apply for a concession from your current location.
Also, they have reduced the one-year work requirement to only 9 months.
Subclass 485, Temporary graduate visa:
If you are a student then you don’t have to worry about the expiry date of your visa. Now, you can apply for a subclass 485 temporary graduate visa. Your location is not an issue you can have your visa granted from in or outside Australia. The date of its validity will not start from the date of grant. It will start from the date of entry in Australia. If the application was lodged before 19th September but now you are offshore, you are still eligible for 485 grants.
Subclass 188 and 888, business innovation and investment visa
We have good news for subclass 188 visa holders. If your visa has expired during the concession period you can apply for subclass 888 visa. Also, there is a change for investors and significant investors. Now you can withdraw or cancel investments during the concession period.
If you had a 188 visa before 1st July 2019, you can now apply for 188 business innovation extension stream visa. If you already had this extension you can ask for another extension stream visa.
Which persons can enter Australia?
The permanent residents and citizens of Australia can enter Australia easily. They do not need permission from the department of home affairs. Direct family members also have permission to enter Australia. But they will need to provide proof of their relationship. Also if they don’t have a visa they’ll have to apply for it.
If they already have a visa they must fill the Covid-19
inquiry form. They will require the department’s permission to travel. But if you have a partner visa or a child visa you can travel to Australia without applying for exemption.
You can enter Australia if you are a citizen of Newzealand and resident of Australia. But you must provide evidence of residency. All overseas passengers will go through isolation for 14 days. For instance, there was a Queensland immigration to Melbourne. The immigrants will live in a hotel for 14 days.
These will be the results of migration these days.
Immigration to Australia in a pandemic:
You cannot migrate to Australia in the current situation. Only the citizens, permanent residents can travel to Australia. The family members can also get permission to enter Australia. The immigration law
has made changes for the current visa holder so their money is not wasted. You can get a concession on your visa.
If you are in Brisbane try to find an immigration agency in Brisbane. We can help you to find the best migration agents in Brisbane.
How can we help?
Travelling these days is not easy. If you don’t have an Australian visa then before applying you should understand the current procedure of travelling. The most important point is you will not get a visa unless you have a family in Australia.
We can guide you with ease as we have the most brilliant immigration lawyer in Brisbane. We also have immigration lawyers in Gold Coast. You can contact us to get free immigration advice through online chat in Australia.
Frequently asked questions:
Who can leave Australia?
You can leave Australia without applying for an exemption if:
- You are a resident of a country other than Australia
- You are a worker of airline
- You are a New Zealand citizen with visa subclass 444.
- You are travelling for official government business.
When will Australia lift the travelling restrictions?
There are currently no end dates. The PM has announced many times 6 months since the starting date of restrictions.
Are there any changes for temporary visa holders?
The department has made suitable changes to make life comfortable for temporary visa holders. It includes waivers to no further stay conditions. The applicants will go through medical testing, English testing, and biometric collections. But they will get more time for these tests.
Article Source: Visa Applicants Affected By COVID-19