Australia to open up to eligible visa holders – 1st December, 2021

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Eligible vaccinated visa holders can travel to Australia without an exemption

The DHA have announced that certain visa holders will be able to travel to Australia without holding a travel exemption.

Travellers  will still need to comply with any quarantine arrangements in their arrival  state/territory. However those arriving in NSW, Victoria and the ACT will likely be able to avoid any hotel quarantine arrangements if they can provide evidence of accepted vaccinations.

Travellers should confirm what is needed prior to travel. State/territory border permits may be required. This includes those arriving in one state, but then intending to travel to another.

The DHA announcement is below – https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/vaccinated-travellers#toc-7

New arrangements for eligible visa holders

From 1 December 2021, fully vaccinated eligible visa holders can now travel to Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption. Eligible visa holders are people who hold the following visas:

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 403 – Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (other streams, including Australian Agriculture Visa stream)
Subclass 407 – Training visa
Subclass 408 – Temporary Activity 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 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 580 – Student Guardian visa (closed to new applicants)
Subclass 590 – Student Guardian visa
Subclass 785 – Temporary Protection visa
Subclass 790 – Safe Haven Enterprise visa
Subclass 870 – Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa
Subclass 988 – Maritime Crew visa

Note: Additional visa subclasses may be added over time. 

This is in addition to the exemptions outlined on: Travel restrictions and exemptions.

If you have any questions about a visa application and/or exemptions then please Contact Us.

Changes to Australia’s entry and exit requirements from 1st November 2021

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Travelling to and from Australia

The Australian government has recently  announced changes to the policies it has had in place for the COVID pandemic since March 2020.

Vaccinated Australian Citizens & Permanent Residents

From 1 November 2021, fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents will be eligible for international travel without seeking a travel exemption.Children under 12 and those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons will also be able to travel overseas without an exemption.

Covid: Australia to end ban on citizens leaving country

Opening up post COVID

 

Unvaccinated Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents

Unvaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents wishing to travel overseas (apart from children under 12 and those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons) are required to apply for an exemption to leave Australia. They can apply for an exemption but they must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • your travel is as part of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including the provision of aid
  • your travel is for your business/employer
  • you are travelling to receive urgent medical treatment that is not available in Australia
  • you are travelling outside Australia for a compelling reason for three months or longer
  • you are travelling on compelling or compassionate grounds
  • your travel is in the national interest
  • you are ordinarily resident in a country other than Australia

Returning Australian citizens and Permanent Residents 

Australian citizens and permanent residents do not need an exemption to return to Australia.

Each state manages quarantine arrangements. You will need to check what these are depending on your state of arrival. NSW & Victoria have announced changes from 1st November. Other states have indicated they will be making changes in due course as well.

Temporary visa holders returning home

Temporary visa holders impacted by COVID-19 can make arrangements to return to their home country, if border restrictions in that country allow.

Temporary visa holders leaving Australia for a short trip overseas

Temporary visa holders in Australia can depart Australia at any time, however, they will generally not be permitted to return to Australia without an exemption.

It is expected that this will change in due course. 

In the interim temporary visa holders seeking to leave and then return to Australia, may apply for an inwards exemption before they leave, however applications will generally only be approved if:

  • the applicant meets the requirements for an individual exemption from Australia’s Inward Travel Restrictions, and
  • they have a strong compassionate or compelling reason to leave Australia supported by relevant documentary evidence, for example:
    • attending the funeral of a close family member overseas, visiting a close family member who is seriously or critically ill, or seeking necessary medical treatment not available in Australia, or
    • travel is essential for business purposes.

If you require assistance with an exemption to leave then please Contact Us.

 

” Ban on Australians leaving the country will be dropped as early as November 2021″

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