All About COVID-19 Concession Period Ending
The Australian government has announced that the COVID-19 concession period for certain visas which started in early 2020 will end on 25th November 2023. These concessions were provided to certain visa applicants who were affected by travel restrictions and lockdowns.
Employer-Sponsored Visas end of Covid-19 Concession Period
Although the Australian government has recently announced that subclass TSS visa holders only need to be working full-time for 2 out of the previous 3 years to be eligible for the subclass 186 visa TRT stream, COVID-19 concessions now have been made redundant from 25th November 2023.
The following COVID-19 concessions have now been finished for employer-sponsored visas:
- Period of reduced work will now not count towards meeting the work experience requirements for nomination applications for new ENS/RSMS visas.
- The age exemption during COVID-19 for high-earning applicants will now not apply for new ENS/RSMS visa applications.
- The age exemption for legacy 457 workers in Australia for 12 months during the COVID-19 pandemic from 1st February 2020 to 14th December 2021 will apply for ENS visa applications lodged before 1 July 2024.
End of Covid-19 Concessions Period for Skilled Regional Visa Subclass 887
Previous COVID-19 concessions allowed prospective 887 visa holders to lodge the visa application from in or outside Australia. After 25th November 2023, eligible skilled provisional visa holders applying for subclass 887 must be in Australia but not in immigration clearance. They will no longer be able to lodge this visa application offshore.
During the COVID-19 concession period, prospective eligible 887 visa applicants were allowed access to shorter periods of employment and regional residence requirements. Applicants can only access the employment concessions if they hold an eligible provisional skilled visa during the concession period and they make a valid application for a subclass 887 visa within 3 months of 26th February 2024.
End of COVID-19 Concessions for Family Visas
Previous COVID-19 concessions removed restrictions on the location at the time of the grant of applicants for certain family visas.
Applicants for certain Partner and child visas who lodged an application before 26th November 2023 and were in Australia at the time of the concession period, will continue to be granted a visa in Australia even past the concession period.
For parent visa applicants, COVID-19 concessions only apply from 1st February 2020 until 25th November 2023.
End of COVID-19 Concessions for Business and Investment Program Visas
Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) applicants under the 188 visa- Business Innovation Extension Stream and 888 visas in all streams who are eligible for COVID-19 concessions can make a valid application before the end of 26th February 2024.
End of COVID-19 Concessions for Safe Haven Enterprise Visa
Since the Australian government has already provided a permanent pathway option to the Safe Haven Enterprise Visa through the Resolution of Status subclass 851 visa, the end of COVID-19 concessions will have minimal impact on these visas.
End of COVID-19 Concessions for Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485
From 25th November 2023, all subclass 485 visa applications in any stream will need to be lodged in Australia.
Subsequent entrant 485 visa applications can still be lodged in and outside Australia.
The grant of 485 visa applications who are either in or outside Australia will continue. These applicants must not be in immigration clearance.
SOURCE: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1147
Disclaimer: The above information is not tailored to personal circumstances.
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