Stay
For the duration of the event or up to 4 years however we anticipate the 408 COVID stream will be between 6 to 12 months.
Cost
COVID-19 Pandemic visa: Free & STAC fees don’t apply
Processing times
Processing times are not available for this visa.
COVID-19 Pandemic
- remain in Australia if you have no other visa options and are unable to depart Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
- remain in Australia to assist in critical sectors including healthcare, disability and aged care, childcare and agriculture during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On this visa you can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid and include members of the family unit in your application.
Apply from
You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa and when we decide on your application.
You must be in Australia to be granted the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa.
Endorsement not required
You do not need to be endorsed in writing to apply for the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa. The COVID-19 Pandemic event visa is only available to people who are onshore and have 28 days or less remaining on their current visa or where their last substantive visa has expired up to 28 days previously.
To be granted a 408 visa you must also meet the health and character requirements, have adequate health insurance, be able to support yourself and any dependents and be a genuine temporary entrant.
Critical sectors may include the below but not limited to:
healthcare, disability and aged care,
includes but is not limited to doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, care workers, and other frontline health and social care staff including volunteers; the support and specialist staff required to maintain the Australia’s health and social care sector; those working as part of the health and social care supply chain, including producers and distributors of medicines and medical and personal protective equipment.
childcare:
Nursery and teaching staff, social workers and those specialist education professionals who must remain active during the COVID-19 response to deliver this approach.
agriculture
those involved in food production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (for example hygienic and veterinary medicines).
The not limited to may include:
- Key public services
- Local and national government
- Public safety and national security
- Transport
- Utilities, communication and financial services
Update, 11 May 2021: Temporary visa holders will be able to access the 408 COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa for a period of 12 months if they work in the tourism and hospitality sector. This decision adds tourism and hospitality to the critical sectors of agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care and child care for eligibility for this visa subclass.
Temporary visa holders working in, or intending to work in, tourism and hospitality will be able to apply for the 408 COVID-19 Visa up to 90 days before their existing visa expires and then remain in Australia for up to 12 additional months.
Essential workers include the below but not limited to:
- Supermarkets
- Convenience stores
- Butchers
- Grocers
- Markets
- Bottle shops
- Petrol stations
- Pharmacies
- All allied health centres
- Shopping centres (eateries in food courts permitted to do takeaway only)
- Schools remain open for “essential workers”
To get an idea on “non-essential” services see here.
Related: Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery Event (PCER) 408 Visa
VisaEnvoy’s Coronavirus action plan
The VisaEnvoy team have plans in place to ensure ongoing operation for our current and prospective clients. We are able to work entirely remotely in the event that self-isolation is required or the offices are closed, including accessing client files, emails and phones, lodging applications, and accessing documents.
Book a consultation today to discuss your visa options with our Registered Migration Agents in Melbourne to find more about your visa options.
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