Seasons Greetings to all our Visa Newsletter readers. Wishing you a relaxing and joyous Christmas and New Year break.
TRAVEL EXEMPTIONS
As the COVID pandemic continues to evolve, the situation regarding travel exemptions, is also undergoing changes. The Departmental position regarding travel exemptions for certain visas, and Bridging visas has been further clarified. The Department has updated the list of visas that are eligible for waiver of the requirement to have an approved travel exemption for entry into Australia from 15 December 2021.
Please remember that only holders of these visas are eligible for this waiver. Applicants holding Bridging Visa ‘B’s for the listed visas are not included in this list and must apply for a travel exemption to return to Australia if they depart as the holder of that bridging visa. The Department’s website provides this update on BVBs:
… To be considered an eligible visa holder you must hold one of the following visas. If you have applied for the visa but it has not yet been granted, you are not an eligible visa holder…
The list of visas that are eligible for the waiver include the following: The Department has advised that this list could be added to over time. Please note that the requirement to be fully vaccinated prior to travel has not changed.
|
Subclass visa category |
Visa Name |
|
Subclass 163 |
State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner Visa |
|
Subclass 173 |
Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa |
|
Subclass 200 |
Refugee visa |
|
Subclass 201 |
In-country Special Humanitarian visa |
|
Subclass 202 |
Global Special Humanitarian visa |
|
Subclass 203 |
Emergency Rescue visa |
|
Subclass 204 |
Woman at Risk visa |
|
Subclass 300 |
Prospective Marriage visa |
|
Subclass 400 |
Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa |
|
Subclass 402 |
Training and Research visa |
|
Subclass 403 |
Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (other streams, including Australian Agriculture Visa stream) |
|
Subclass 405 |
Investor Retirement visa |
|
Subclass 407 |
Training visa |
|
Subclass 408 |
Temporary Activity visa |
|
Subclass 410 |
Retirement visa |
|
Subclass 417 |
Working Holiday visa |
|
Subclass 449 |
Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) visa |
|
Subclass 457 |
Temporary Work (Skilled) visa |
|
Subclass 461 |
New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa |
|
Subclass 462 |
Work and Holiday visa |
|
Subclass 476 |
Skilled – Recognised Graduate visa |
|
Subclass 482 |
Temporary Skill Shortage visa |
|
Subclass 485 |
Temporary Graduate visa |
|
Subclass 487 |
Skilled – Regional Sponsored visa |
|
Subclass 489 |
Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visa |
|
Subclass 491 |
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa |
|
Subclass 494 |
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa |
|
Subclass 500 |
Student visa |
|
Subclass 560 |
Student Temporary Visa |
|
Subclass 571 |
Student Schools Sector Visa |
|
Subclass 572 |
Vocational Education and Training Sector Visa |
|
Subclass 573 |
Higher Education Sector Visa |
|
Subclass 574 |
Postgraduate Research Sector Visa |
|
Subclass 575 |
Non-Award Sector Visa |
|
Subclass 580 |
Student Guardian visa |
|
Subclass 590 |
Student Guardian visa |
|
Subclass 785 |
Temporary Protection visa |
|
Subclass 786 |
Temporary Humanitarian Concern visa |
|
Subclass 790 |
Safe Haven Enterprise visa |
|
Subclass 870 |
Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa |
|
Subclass 884 |
Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa |
|
Subclass 988 |
Maritime Crew visa |
BIO SECURITY PERIOD EXTENDED
Please note that the following security measures associated with international travel have been extended until 17th February 2022:
- Mandatory pre-departure testing and mask wearing for international flights
- Restrictions on international travel from high-risk countries
- Restrictions on outbound international travel for unvaccinated Australians
- Restrictions on the entry of cruise vessels within Australian territory (this Determination will be reviewed monthly).
This newsletter only provides general information related to current migration matters. The information contained in this communication does not constitute specific migration advice, and should not be construed or relied on as such. Professional advice should be sought for the specifics of your situation prior to any action being taken. BD Welsh and Co disclaims any liability (including, without limitation, for any direct or indirect or consequential costs, loss or damage or loss of profits) arising from anything done or omitted to be done by any party in reliance, whether wholly or partially, on any of the information contained in this newsletter. Any party that relies on the information does so at its own risk. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.