The COVID-19 pandemic event visa for when you’re out of options
We are a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic and the future remains unclear and unpredictable. This is especially the case if you’re one of the thousands of people in Australia with a visa that is about to expire. Some of these people may be lucky enough to book one of the few remaining flights to return home while others have been fortunate enough to apply for another visa to remain in Australia.
What if you’re one of those people who have just run out of visa options, unable to find a way home before your current visa expires and looking for an absolute last resort? In this article, we explore the COVID-19 pandemic event visa and outline who is eligible to apply for this visa.
What is the Covid-19 Pandemic Event Visa?
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Home Affairs announced the release of the COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa on 6 April 2020. This visa falls under the Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa as an Australian Government Endorsed Event. It was designed to provide a pathway for certain people who currently hold or have recently held a temporary visa to remain in Australia lawfully and to address workforce shortages in critical sectors arising from the COVID-19 pandemic such as agriculture, health and aged care.
Am I eligible to apply for this visa?
Not everyone is eligible to apply for this visa. It is only open to those who meet all of the following criteria:
Is currently in Australia
Is unable to leave Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Either holds a temporary visa which expires in 28 days or less or held a temporary visa that expires no more than 28 days ago
Unable to apply for or meet the criteria for the same visa subclass they currently hold or any other temporary visa
Is currently working in or has relevant skills to work in critical sectors that supply essential goods and services such as agriculture, aged care and health
How much does it cost and how long will it take?
There is no charge to apply for the COVID-19 pandemic event visa. Given that it is a new visa option, the Department of Home Affairs has not published any estimated processing times. However, applicants may be entitled to a bridging visa which will keep them in Australia lawfully until a decision is made on the visa application.
Can I work if I have this visa and when does it expire?
This visa will allow the holder to work and assist in critical sectors such as agriculture, disability and aged care, child care and health. It is likely that the visa will be granted with a validity of at least 3 months, however this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Contact us to see if you’re eligible to apply
If you would like us to assess whether you’re eligible to apply for this visa, please contact us to arrange a consultation. We are currently conducting consultations over the phone or on video only. You can schedule an appointment online or by calling us on (02) 8328 0558.
Unsure if you are eligible for the Covid-19 Pandemic Event Visa?
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About Peter Chang
Peter Chang is a registered migration agent based in the Western Sydney hub of Parramatta, Australia. He is the co-founder of Titan Migration, a consultancy specialising in providing Australian immigration advice and visa assistance services.