COVID-19: Major Update For Australian Temporary Visa Holders

30 Mar 2020

A sum of 2.4 million temporary visa holders has been caught in the confusion by global travel prohibitions and border closures, many of them will now require new visas or extensions to reside in Australia lawfully.

Individuals on temporary visas residing and working in Australia have been recognized as ‘most vulnerable’ by the migration agents who claim that they have been flooded with “panic calls”, ever since the government shut its borders to all non-residents and non-citizens.

Key Points:

• Above 2 million temporary holders of visa have been affected by the recent travel ban
• If the visa is ending, holders of visa need to apply for a new visa prior to the current visa expires, says immigration expert
• Those who are outside Australia need not be panic

Visitor Visa Holders Presently in Australia

You need to apply for a new visa prior to your current visa ends. In most instances, candidates will be awarded a bridging visa that will permit them to reside in the country lawfully until the department determines their application.

Immigration experts say that before applying, individuals must take care of below two things:

• The visa expiry date and the conditions connected to their present visa.
• If there is no condition connected to your visa, you can apply for a new visa if you provide your present visa is valid. And in the event there is a ‘no further stay’ status which comprises 8534, 8503, and 8535 codes then you can ask to waive this restriction.

Student Visa Holders Presently in Australia and Running Out of Visa

Education consultants said that global students who require fulfilling study requirements also have the opportunity to apply for an extension.

Students who have completed their courses can appeal for another student visa or appeal for a subclass 485 visa as usual and if you have no other choice, they can also appeal for a visitor visa to prolong their stay temporarily in Australia.

If you are Presently outside Australia

Immigration experts, however, warned that those individuals outside the nation must adhere to the travel limitations as they “unfortunately” cannot move to Australia till the ban is lifted.

Impact on Processing Times of Visa

Migration agents challenge that the processing times for most visa subclasses may not significantly be changed but cautioned that appellants whose visas are in pipeline would shortly feel the pinch.

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