Since the COVID-19 crisis the government has announced changes to policy and concessions for some visas. Among those are working hours for some student visa holders employed in critical sectors and 457 and 482 Temporary Visa Holders in Australia who are stood down and not laid off by their employer, access to superannuation for temporary visa holders, introduction of new COVID-19 stream – subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa and waiver of some conditions imposed on certain visas. Here is a list of the latest of the latest updates.
Related:
- COVID-19 concession period ending
- COVID-19 concession for partner visas, contributory parent visas and child visas
- COVID-19 concessions for Employer-Sponsored visas (SC457-482 and 186-187)
- COVID-19 Concessions for Business visas
- COVID-19 Concessions for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visas
- COVID-19 Concessions for Skilled Regional 887 visa
- COVID-19 waiver for offshore Partner visa grant requirement
Sponsored Temporary Parent visa – permission to lodge onshore
Applicants for SC 870 Sponsored Temporary Parent sponsorship are now able lodge their visas while onshore.
The 870 temporary visa lets a parent of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen visit Australia for up to 3 or 5 years. There is no balance of family test for this visa.
The visa allows parents to stay in Australia temporarily for a period of up to five years at a time. Normally, a parent must be outside Australia for at least 90 days before being eligible to apply for a further Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa.
One of the criteria for submitting a 870 visa is to be outside Australia. Due to the COVID-19 crisis and travel restrictions, for parents who would like to extend their stay in Australia (for up to 5 years) they may be able to submit their 870 visa without leaving Australia subject to the Parent Processing Centre approval, which has been lenient with these waiver requests during COVID-19 period.
To be granted permission the parent cannot currently hold an onshore visa with a condition 8503 or 8543. The condition must be waived before applying.
COVID-19 and visitor visas- Condition 8558
Condition 8558 (must not stay in Australia for more than 12 months in any 18 month period)
If you hold a Visitor visa with condition 8558 you should depart Australia before the date on which you will have stayed in Australia for more than 12 months in any 18 month period.
If you are unable to depart Australia before this time for reasons beyond your control however, the Department do not expect you to apply for a further visa unless you are unable to depart before your visa expiry date.
The ‘No Further Stay’ 8503 waiver request will therefore be prioritised according to the visa expiry date, and not the date on which you will have stayed in Australia for more than 12 months in any 18 month period.
Employer Sponsored visas
| Immigration Matter | COVID-19 Concessions | Further information |
| 482 TSS visa | Ok if stood down and as before if laid off (60 days to find another employer) | https://visaenvoy.com/tss-visa-holders-affected-by-coronavirus/ |
| 186 visa | should a stood down 4-year TSS visa holder be re-employed after the coronavirus pandemic, their time already spent in Australia will count towards their permanent residency skilled work experience requirements | https://visaenvoy.com/tss-visa-holders-affected-by-coronavirus/ |
S48 bar, 8503 and 8543 condition
| Immigration Matter | COVID-19 Concessions | Further information |
| S48 bar | Cannot be waived | https://visaenvoy.com/coronavirus-update-tss-student-and-485-visa-holders/ |
| 8503 condition (No Further Stay Condition) | Department being lenient with waivers | https://visaenvoy.com/coronavirus-and-australian-visas/ |
| 8543 condition (No Further Stay” condition placed on student visas) | Department being lenient with waivers | https://visaenvoy.com/coronavirus-and-australian-visas/ |
Student visas
| Immigration Matter | COVID-19 Concessions | Further information |
| Student visa holders offshore | Travel restrictions in place. We will update once we have a reopening date for International Students. | https://go8.edu.au/in-the-media-universities-propose-secure-corridor-rules-for-international-students |
| Student visa holder onshore | Flexible if not attended classes, extra hours for students working in certain industries. Access to superannuation. | https://visaenvoy.com/coronavirus-and-australian-visas/ |
408 visa
| 408 visa | New COVID-19 stream
Nil visa application fee and work rights are available in some circumstances |
https://visaenvoy.com/408-visa-covid-19/ |
Working Holiday Visas
| Working Holiday Makers (WHM) in Australia | Working holiday makers who are working in some critical sectors will be exempt from the six month work limitation with the one employer and eligible for a further visa to keep working in these critical sectors if their current visa is due to expire in the next six months. | https://visaenvoy.com/visa-flexibility-for-working-holiday-makers-supporting-critical-sectors/ |
| Working Holiday Visas who have not activated their visa | As before, must arrive within 12 months of grant and have 12 months validity from the time you arrive in Australia. |
Citizenship
| Citizenship eligibility | No exemptions for residence requirements | https://visaenvoy.com/exemptions-to-citizenship-residence-requirements-and-covid-19/ |
| Citizenship Ceremonies | Online invitations have commenced | https://visaenvoy.com/online-citizenship-ceremonies-being-trialled-during-coronavirus-crisis/ |
Leaving and Entering Australia
| Australians wanting to depart | As an Australian you cannot leave Australia due to COVID-19 restrictions unless you have an exemption. | You can apply for an exemption online |
| Non Australians leaving Australia | international visitors are encouraged to return home when possible to do so. | https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/leaving-australia#toc-0 |
| Entering Australia | Exemptions by commissioner for temporary visa holders with compelling and compassionate grounds
Direct family members of Australians can apply to enter AU Australians and NZ citizens usually resident can enter |
https://visaenvoy.com/travel-exemptions-determined-by-the-commissioner/
https://visaenvoy.com/coronavirus-and-australian-visas/ All arrivals have a 14 day isolation |
Australians: Australian Citizens and Permanent residents
ETA
| Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) | Online applications for the ETA are unavailable while the travel restrictions are in place. | https://visaenvoy.com/covid-19/ |
Related:
- COVID-19 concession period ending
- COVID-19 concessions for Employer-Sponsored visas (SC457-482 and 186-187)
- COVID-19 Concessions for Business visas
- COVID-19 Concessions for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visas
- COVID-19 Concessions for Skilled Regional 887 visa
- TSS visa holders affected by Coronavirus
- Latest COVID-19 concessions for Australian visas
- Concession for partner visas, contributory parent visas and child visas affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions
- COVID-19 waiver for offshore Partner visa grant requirement
If you would like a comprehensive consultation which includes assessing you for other temporary and permanent visa options (Skilled visas, Employer Sponsored, Partner, etc.) as well, we recommend our standard 45 minute to 1 hour consultation which can be scheduled here:
https://visaenvoy.as.me/video (45 min- $160)
Upcoming New Zealand Immigration Changes 2025
Upcoming Immigration Changes 2025
Core Skills List (CSOL), Skills in Demand (SID) and National Innovation visa (NIV) available 7 December 2024
RPL and TSS 482 visa
Excessive waiting times for parent visas