COVID-19 Visa Updates

YES, WE ARE OPEN!

Business is as usual for us and we are accessible and ready to help with your visa matter.
As the situation unfolds with Covid -19, the laws and requirements are changing almost on a daily basis. We urge all to follow social distancing measures and together we can beat this virus and claim back the life-style we all love, which makes Australia such a sought-after country to live in.

We have received many enquiries about the situation as it relates to visas, and the following may help to provide some clarity to most frequently asked questions. Please do call or email us for advice on your particular circumstances.

1. SUBCLASS 887 VISA

If on or after 1 February 2020 you hold or held, a provisional visa that entitled you to apply for a subclass 887 and you were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, you might be eligible for a number of concessions. Your application for a subclass 887 visa must have been validly lodged on or after 19 September 2020.

If You Are Outside Australia

You can lodge your visa application while you are outside of Australia and you can be granted the subclass 887 visa while you are offshore. You must provide evidence of at least:

i. 9 months of full-time work in a specified regional area (or, if a shorter period is allowed, that shorter period), and

ii. 18 months residence in a specified regional area (or, if a shorter period is specified, that shorter period).

If You Are in Australia

From 1 February 2020 and no later than three months after the concession period ends you lodge your visa application. You must provide evidence of at least:

i. 9 months of full-time work in a specified regional area, and

ii. 2 years of residence in a specified regional area.

2. SUBCLASS 888 VISA

For valid visa applications lodged on or after 19 September 2020, a number of concessions are available for visa holders impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The concession period started on 1 February 2020. There is no fixed concession end date yet.

BUSINESS INNOVATION STREAM

From 19 September 2020 until 3 months after the end of the concession period, you can apply for this visa if you:

i. You held a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) Business Innovation stream or Business Innovation Extension stream which expired during the concession period.

ii. Your spouse or de facto partner is the primary holder of a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa in the Business Innovation stream or Business Innovation Extension stream. You were the secondary visa holder of a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) and your visa expired during the concession period.

INVESTOR STREAM

From 19 September 2020 until 3 months after the end of the concession period, you can apply for this visa if you:

i. Held a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) Investor stream which expired during the COVID-19 concession period; or

ii. Your spouse or de facto partner is the primary holder of a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa in the Investor stream. You were the secondary visa holder of a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) and your visa expired during the COVID-19 concession period.

SIGNIFICANT INVESTOR STREAM

From 19 September 2020 until 3 months after the end of the concession period, you can apply for this visa if you:

i. Held a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) Significant Investor stream or Significant Investor Extension stream which expired during the COVID-19 concession period; or

ii. You have ceased to be the spouse or de facto partner of a primary holder of a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) in the Significant Investor stream or the Significant Investor Extension stream, or your spouse / de facto partner has died. You were the secondary visa holder of a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) and your visa expired during the COVID-19 concession period.

3. SUBCLASS 485 VISA

For valid visa applications lodged on or after 19 September 2020, a number of concessions are available for visa holders impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The concession period started on 1 February 2020. There is no fixed concession end date yet.

During concessions period graduates affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions can apply for a subclass 485 visa outside Australia if they have met all the requirements. They can be granted a subclass 485 visa in or outside of Australia even if the concession period has ended.

For existing and new student visa holders online study undertaken outside Australia as a result of COVID-19 travel restrictions counts towards the Australian Study Requirement. Online study outside Australia is counted from the time when a student visa is granted.

You have to meet the Australian Study Requirement:

i. Within 6 months immediately before the day you lodge your application; or

ii. If you were unable to apply within 6 months immediately before the day you lodge your application because you were outside Australia during all or part of the period commencing on 1 February 2020 and ending on 19 September 2020—within 12 months immediately before the day, you lodge the application.