2.4 million Temporary Visa holders are affected by global travel bans and border closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these migrants would require visa extensions or new visas if they are to legally stay in Australia.
Visitors in Australia
If you are a visitor currently in Australia, you must apply for a new visa before your current visa expires. Before you apply for a new visa, two things have to be considered; the expiry date of the visa and the visa conditions. If there is a ”no further stay” condition which includes 8503, 8534 and 8535 codes, you can request to waive this condition
Students in Australia
International students who need to fulfil study requirements also have the option to apply for an extension. Students that have completed their study can reapply for the student visa (subclass 500) or the 485 visa.
Visitors outside Australia
Visitors outside Australia will not be able to come in until the travel ban has been lifted. Instead they will need to stay updated or contact the relevant consulate to check when they will be able to travel.
Visa processing times
Despite the current pandemic, visa processing times have not been significantly impacted yet, but it won’t be long until it will.
If you want to inquire about your current visa situation or have any visa related matters, book now to speak with a registered migration consultant.
