Australia Allows International Students To Extend Stay Via COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa

Australia has enforced travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Under this situation, several international students are not allowed to leave the country. However, Australia comes with a healthy decision for international students that they can extend their stay in Australia and can work under the specific sector based on the Covid-19 pandemic event visa. The Australian student visa allows international students to work for up to 40 hours per fortnight during the semester.

However, if students work in the agricultural sector then the government of Australia offers them temporary relaxation in the working rules. This will also help the farmers to get support through the temporary visa holders because farmers are facing difficulties in finding the workers during the pandemic. If you are also one of those who are stuck by this pandemic then you have to know the following facts about the COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa:

What The COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa (Subclass 408) Is?

This is a temporary visa that allows international students to work in the critical industry sectors. Candidates who are already residing in Australia or doing the study in Australia are eligible for this visa category and the duration will start from the visa granted day.

Who Is Eligible For This Visa?

Students who are stuck in Australia because of the travel restrictions and their current visa is going to be expired in 28 or less days or their last substantive visa has been expired in less than 28 days are eligible.  

Applicants who want to remain in Australia and have the wish to work in the critical sectors they must have a visa to be expired in 90 days or their last substantive visa is expired in less than 28 days.

What You Can Do With This Visa?

Those who are unable to leave the country because of the travel restrictions and having no other visa options can remain in Australia with this category. However, the visa holders will be allowed to work in the critical sectors in which food processing, agriculture, health care, aged care, child care, and disability care sectors are included.

What Is The Cost Of This Visa?

Department of Home Affairs declares that the visa is free of cost. The department said candidates to follow the given instructions while applying for the visa:

• In the application form, applicants must select ‘yes’ to the visa application charge concession question.

• However, at the second step applicants are asked to select the ‘Nil VAC’ option.

Visa Application Process

The duration of the visa application process is not specified yet.

How To Apply?

The visa application mode is online and the candidates will go through the official site of Home Affairs of Australia. However, all the instructions are available on the application page by following which one can easily submit the application. 

How Long You Can Have Stay With This Visa?

Applicants may be granted a stay for up to 12 months if they are employed in the critical sectors or they may be granted a stay for up to 03 months if their departure has been delayed because of the Covid-19 travel restrictions. However, the visa grant letter will let you know how long you can stay in Australia.

What Are The Chances Of Securing The Visa?

Alex Hawke, the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services, and Multicultural Affairs, said that the chances of visa improvement depend upon the seasonal farm work.