Australia’s international borders to reopen to fully vaccinated travellers from 21 February

/in , , , , , , , /by

Australia has announced that it’s borders will re-open to fully vaccinated travellers on 21st February, 2022.

This is ahead of the April 2022 opening of borders  that was recently suggested.

It’s been almost 2 years – March 2020 – since tourists, aside from the odd exemption, have been able to travel.

Australia reopening

Australia to re-open 21st February, 2022

Visa holders who are not fully vaccinated will still require a valid travel exemption to enter Australia, and will be subject to state and territory quarantine requirements. These details are to be confirmed.

If you have any questions please Contact Us.

Office: +44 (0)800772 0570
Mobile: + 44 (0)7710 649194
Email: mark@cargilmigration.com

 

Australia reopens to international travellers on 15 December, 2021

/in , , , /by

The DHA have confirmed that have reopened to vaccinated travellers as of 15 December, 2021. See the DHA announcement below.

” Reopening to international travel

Australia is reopening its border to vaccinated travellers. This is part of our step-by-step and safe reopening to the world. From 15 December 2021, fully vaccinated visa holders from the following cohorts will be able to travel to Australia without an exemption:

  • international students
  • skilled migrants
  • refugee/humanitarian, and
  • temporary and provisional family visa holders.

This was to begin from 1 December 2021, however the reopening was paused due to the emergence of the ‘Omicron’ COVID-19 variant.

As part of Australia’s reopening to fully vaccinated travellers, international safe travel zones have been introduced for New Zealand and Singapore. International safe travel zones with Japan and Korea will begin from 15 December 2021.

For up-to-date information on travel requirements, visit the international safe travel zone and COVID-19 and the border webpages.”

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

 

Australia to re-open borders mid December?

/in , , , , , , , , /by

Media speculation is that Australia will finally re-open to some travellers

Reports are coming out that Australia will finally take the next step to re-open its borders.

They were due to open on the 1st December, 2021 to some visa holder. This was however quickly postponed for 2 weeks with the spread of the Omicron variant.

News Limited – 9 December, 2021

Biggest hint yet that Australia’s international borders will reopen as planned on December 15

The Guardian – 10 December, 2021

Australia likely to reopen to international students and skilled workers next week

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

Travel exemptions for Parents of adult Australian Citizens & Permanent Residents to open

/in , , , , , , , , /by

Australian travel exemptions for parents to open on 1st November, 2021

The DHA have announced that parents of Australian Citizens and Permanent residents will soon be able to apply for an exemption to travel to Australia.

This is great news for parents that want to reunite with their children and their families in Australia.

Immediate family exemptions

Who is a parent? 

The definition of parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents includes:

  • biological parents
  • legal (including adoptive) parents
  • step-parents
  • parents in-law.

Exemption & valid visa required 

Before you travel, you will need to have an approved travel exemption. To submit your exemption request you will need to provide evidence of:

  • your adult child’s Australian citizenship or permanent residency; and
  • your parental relationship to the Australian citizen or permanent resident.

You will also need to hold a valid visa.

Quarantine requirements  

Quarantine in Australia is managed by the states/territories. Travellers will  need to comply with the arrangements in the state/territory that they are arrive in. There may be also be requirements in the state/territory that travellers ultimately wish to travel too.

Some states, such as NSW & Victoria, are removing some quarantine requirements for eligible vaccinated travellers as of 1st November. Other states/territories will follow in due course so keep an eye on what’s needed at the time of travel. This could mean no quarantine, or more than one period of quarantine.

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

UPDATE: General Skilled Migration (GSM) program – August 2020

/in , , , , , , , , , /by

All eyes on 6th October 2020 

Limited GSM nominations

As we advised in early July the GSM program remains pretty much closed. The DHA aren’t inviting many individuals to apply for a Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa, nor are the states/territories nominating many applicants for a Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa or the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional visa.

Where invites are being issued – these can vary by state/territory – they are focused on applicants who are in areas of critical skills and sectors and/or those already residing in Australia.

Australian Federal budget – 6th October 2020

It is however expected that the nomination limitations will change from the 6th October 2020. This is when the Australian government is due to release their budget. The budget will establish the number of visas applications available at both a national level – Subclass 189 visa – and for the states/territory programs – Subclass 190 & 491 visa. Once the states/territories are allocated with their visa caps we can expect confirmation of the occupations on their skilled occupation lists and other criteria applicants will need to meet.

Status of each State/Territory

An overview of the states/territories nomination status as of now is below:

ACT

“As you are all aware, the migration landscape is very different in 2020-21.  The Australian Government has directed the ACT to restrict nominations to Canberra residents with skills critical to supporting the ACT’s post pandemic economic recovery. An interim number of nomination places has been allocated until the Commonwealth Budget is announced on 6 October 2020.”

NEW SOUTH WALES

“NSW has been provided a limited number of interim nomination places for the 2020–21 financial year.

Because our nomination places are limited, we have made some temporary adjustments to our application process. These adjustments will be reviewed if more nomination places are provided to us later in the financial year.”

NORTHERN TERRITORY

“The Australian Government has not yet allocated nomination quotas to the states and territories for the 2020 to 2021 program year.

At this stage, onshore General Skilled Migration (GSM) nomination applications and all Business Investment and Innovation Program nomination applications will continue to be accepted and assessed, but no nominations can be issued until the Northern Territory has been allocated quotas. Offshore GSM nomination applications remain closed. We will update as further information becomes available.”

QUEENSLAND

“BSMQ has been advised by the Department of Home Affairs (HA) that it will not be in a position to open the 2020/21 migration program on 1 July 2020. As a consequence, BSMQ’s business and skilled migration program will remain closed on 1 July 2020 until further notice.”

TASMANIA

“All new applications lodged after 1pm (AEST), Tuesday 25th August 2020 must meet the minimum requirements of their chosen nomination category and demonstrate that the applicant is critical to supporting Tasmania’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery.

This requirement will be reviewed after the Federal Budget in October when full details of the 2020-21 nomination allocations and requirements are announced by the Department of Home Affairs.”

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

“The Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs has provided a limited number of skilled and business visa nomination places to the Government of South Australia up until the Federal Budget is delivered on 6 October 2020.”

VICTORIA 

“The Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs has provided a limited number of visa nomination places to the Victorian Government up until the Federal Budget is delivered on 6 October 2020.

We are preparing to re-open with new policies and nomination criteria to support Victoria’s economic recovery and the public health response.”

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

“The Western Australian State Nominated Migration Program is currently suspended. WA Migration Services will not issue invitations to apply for State nomination during the suspension period.

WA Migration Services appreciates your patience and looks forward to progressing the State Nominated Migration Program as soon as possible.”

 

If you want to discuss how you are effected, your current visa application or your visa options going forward please Contact Us. 

  • Office: +44 (0)800772 0570
  • Mobile: + 44 (0)7710 649194
  • Email: mark@cargilmigration.com

 

Australian Travel Restrictions as of 20th March 2020

/in , , , , , , /by

COVID-19 and Australian travel restrictions

Due to the worldwide COVID-19 Pandemic we are all living in unprecedented times.

As a response the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) have been constantly changing their policies to reflect how the pandemic is evolving and who can travel to Australia.

Current Travel Restrictions

Initially restrictions were limited to applicants who were travelling from, or had recently travelled to China, South Korea, Iran & Italy.

As of 9pm, 20th March 2020, the restrictions were expanded to the below:

Australian Permanent Residents & Australian Citizens can continue to enter Australia. They must self isolate for 14 days upon arrival.

  • New Zealand Citizens who are usually reside in Australia are not restricted from entering. They will need to show proof of residency such as a drivers licence or other documents showing an Australian address. They must self isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
  • Immediate Family members of citizens or permanent residents can enter as long as they hold or obtain a valid visa for entry. In addition, visa holders will also need to seek exemption form the DHA to travel. They must self isolate for 14 days upon arrival.
    • Without visa – You can’t come to Australia until you have a visa. Apply for a visa and include proof (such as your marriage certificate, your birth certificate or birth certificate for your children). If the DHA allow you to travel, you will need to self isolate for 14 days, at home or in a hotel.
    • With a temporary visa (except for Partner and Child visa holders) – Attach proof (such as your marriage certificate, evidence of your de-facto relationship such as shared finances or property, your birth certificate or birth certificate for your children) and request an exemption. Do not travel until the DHA advise that you can. You will need to self isolate for 14 days, at home or in a hotel.
  • Partner (subclasses 100, 309, 801, 820) & Child (subclasses 101, 102, 445) visa holders can come to Australia. You do not need to request an exemption. You will need to self-isolate for 14 days, at home or in a hotel.
  • Temporary Residents and Temporary Visa Holders who are currently outside of Australia and are not a family member of a citizen or permanent resident, will not be able to re-enter Australia. Their visas will not be cancelled unless they attempt to enter.
  • Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa holders can’t travel to Australia at present.

If you want to discuss how this may effect your Australian travel plans or current visa status please Contact Us.