Can I Still Use My Australian Visa During the Coronavirus Crisis?
If COVID-19 has well and truly muddled up your experience of life in Australia, don’t feel like you’re alone. There are over 2 million people in Australia with a temporary visa who are asking the same questions: am I still allowed to use my Australian visa during coronavirus? What if I’m about to travel to Australia for work? It’s easy to just break down and despair over these questions but, luckily, we’re here to help. Make yourself a camomile tea, do some breathing exercises and read this post on using your Aussie visa during the coronavirus crisis.
International students
International students are a huge part of the Australian economy. If you’re an international student, there are over 500,000 others just like you who are wondering about their status here in Australia. The good thing is, if you’re able to stay here and support yourself during the coronavirus crisis, you are permitted to do so. As part of your visa application, you’ll have to demonstrate that you’re able to support yourself financially for at least the first year of your time here. This means you’ll have to provide proof of savings, proof of income or any other way of financial support – maybe even plans to sell lemonade on the street (don’t worry, that was a joke). The Government is also flexible when it comes to meeting requirements on your visa if they’ve been affected by COVID-19, like attending classes.
Temporary Skilled visa holders
Temporary Skilled visa holders play a large role in the Australian economy, filling skills gaps all over the country in a variety of different industries. If you’re here on a Temporary Skilled visa, you join the near-140,000 others who are in the same boat. When the crisis has passed, there will in many cases still be a shortage of skilled workers. Even if you have been stood down, but not laid off, your visa will remain valid, and your employer has the chance to extend your visa as per usual. You can also work on a reduced number of hours per week without it affecting your visa conditions.
Backpackers and working holidaymakers
Over 118,000 backpackers found themselves in Australia when COVID-19 hit. If you’re working in a critical sector such as health, aged and disability care, agriculture and food processing and childcare, you’ve been granted some flexibility with your visa. For example, you’ll be exempt from the six-month work limitation with the one employer and eligible for an extended visa to keep working in these critical sectors if your current visa is due to expire in the next six months. When you break it down like this, it’s not that complicated at all.
If you’re still not sure about whether you can use your Aussie visa during coronavirus, get in touch with Expat International. They’re experts in visa navigation during crises, having been in the industry for over 36 years and counting. They work with you or your employees to ensure that they are able to remain in Australia and keep doing great work for your business, free of stress and anxiety. Get in touch with the specialists at Expat International today.
