Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) for COVID-19
Temporary Work visa holders including working holiday makers employed in critical sectors who have not completed the 3 or 6 months of specified work required to apply for a second or third Working Holiday Maker visa, and are unable to leave Australia, may be eligible for a Temporary Activity (subclass 408 Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream) visa. This visa will allow working holiday makers to remain lawfully in Australia, and continue working, if they wish to do so, until they can return to their home country.
Those already in Australia with the Seasonal Worker Program whose visas are expiring, will be able to extend their stay in Australia by applying for a Temporary Activity (subclass 408 Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream) visa.
Holders of other temporary work visas / TSS 482 visa /457 visa currently employed in critical sectors may also be eligible for a Temporary Activity (subclass 408 Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream) visa.
Australian Government endorsed events
This temporary visa lets you come to Australia to participate in events which are endorsed by the Australian Government.
Stay
For the duration of the event or up to 4 years if you are an organiser
Cost
COVID-19 Pandemic visa: Free
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.
- 11 May 2021 Update: Tourism and hospitality has been added to the critical sectors of agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care and child care for eligibility for the Subclass 409 COVID-19 Pandemic Event visa. Temporary visa holders employed in the tourism and hospitality sector are now able to access this SC 408 stream for a period of 12 months. Temporary visa holders working in, or intending to work in, tourism and hospitality will be able to apply for the SC 408 COVID-19 Visa up to 90 days before their existing visa expires and then remain in Australia for up to 12 additional months.
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/Sponsorship 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.
Related: Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery Event (PCER) 408 Visa
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)
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