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March 14, 2023 Pace Migration 408 visa
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost every aspect of our lives, including travel and work. However, the Australian government has introduced the COVID-19 Pandemic event Visa endorsed by the Australian Government as a response in April 2020. This temporary visa allows holders to remain in Australia for up to 12 months.
Recently, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) website has released new information on changes to this visa. This article will focus on the COVID-19 Pandemic Event stream, which allows holders with working rights to remain in Australia for up to 12 months. It is unclear whether this visa will be available in the future, thus visa holders who have working rights should be encouraged to apply for the SC408 visa to increase their work experience and remain in Australia.
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Prior to the changes made to the DHA website this year, individuals were classified depending if they worked in either a critical or non-critical sector, and this determined the length of the visa. Now there is no critical-sector list, and anyone who is currently working or has a job offer in any sector of the economy is eligible for a 12-month visa.
To qualify for the COVID-19 stream, individuals must have a valid substantive visa, be onshore in Australia, and be currently employed in Australia or have a job offer. To gain a 12-month 408 visa, you can work in any sector.
To be eligible for this visa you must:
In addition to the changes stated above, DHA has released updates to the 485 visas (TGV) in relation to the 408 visas. Current TGV holders in Australia who apply for the 408 visas will be granted a 2-year 408 visa instead of the 485 TGV extension. This will only apply if:
The duration of the visa will depend if you are applying for a 485 visa or not. As mentioned, if you are currently on a 485 visa you may be eligible to receive a 2-year visa, whereas if you hold any other substantive visa, you will be eligible for a 12-month visa. This is a temporary work visa with multiple entries. You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
Individuals who apply for COVID-19 Pandemic Event Stream (Subclass 408) can include members of their family unit in the application. However, family members who apply for the visa with the individual must also meet the health and character requirements.
As the COVID pandemic economic recovery visa is an important option for eligible immigrant customers, we encourage anyone interested in applying for this visa to contact us for professional advice and assistance.
Our registered migration agent has the expertise and experience to guide you through the visa application process and ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements. In addition to our expertise in the COVID-19 pandemic event stream (408 visas), we also provide assistance with other migration categories, including General Skilled Migration (GSM) and Employer-Sponsored Visas.
At PACE Migration & Education Consultancy, we take great responsibility and dedication to providing complete assistance to eligible migration clients. We provide ethical and professional services at competitive rates. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take advantage of our expertise in navigating the complex and constantly changing migration policies in Australia.
We are committed to providing you with the best possible service and ensuring that you achieve your goals of studying, working, or migrating to Australia.
Syed Rahman
Mr. Rahman is a knowledgeable professional with expertise in academia, corporate management, and migration law. He holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law from ANU, an MBA in International Business from UTS, and a BBA from Baruch College. With 5 years of corporate management experience, 4 years of teaching experience in Australia, and over 15 years as a registered Migration Agent, Mr. Rahman has a strong background in helping international students and skilled migrants with Australian migration law.
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