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The Momentary Exercise Visa (subclass 408) or the Covid visa because it’s been identified, was endorsed by the Australian Authorities in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. From 1st February 2024, this visa might be closed to all candidates.
The subclass 408 visa was established in 2020 and allowed visa holders to remain in Australia for as much as 12 months. It was launched as a provisional measure for short-term visa holders restricted by Covid-19 journey restrictions to remain in Australia to do particular kinds of work on a short-term foundation.
These working in non-critical sectors however didn’t produce other visa choices have been granted a subclass 408 visa legitimate for as much as three months.
These working in a important sector with proof of employment, or a proposal of employment have been granted visas legitimate for as much as 12 months. Vital sectors embrace:
- Agriculture
- Meals processing
- Well being care
- Aged care
- Incapacity care
- Childcare
- Hospitality and tourism
It’s believed roughly 120,000 folks have accessed a subclass 408 visa.
Time to Say Goodbye
On 31st August 2023, the Australian Authorities introduced the closure of the subclass 408 visa.
Efficient 2nd September 2023, functions for this visa will solely be open to current pandemic occasion visa holders who could also be granted an additional visa for as much as six months solely. In contrast to the earlier visa, which was free, a visa utility cost of $405 now applies.
Present subclass 408 visa holders might want to apply for an additional subclass 408 visa (if eligible), discover different visa choices or return to their house nation previous to their visa expiring.
Why is the Momentary Exercise Visa Closing?
Now that Australia’s borders are open, there isn’t a longer a necessity for this visa. As well as, there are stories that this visa was broadly exploited by dishonest migration brokers and worldwide college students. Given this visa allowed holders to work limitless hours for 12 months, it supplied a backdoor to the roles market. In July 2023, it was revealed that one in six worldwide college students had transferred from their pupil visas to a subclass 408 visa, permitting them to work full-time.
What Occurs Now?
There are tens of hundreds of short-term migrants on a subclass 408 visa. These wanting to remain in Australia might want to apply for a brand new visa. Whether or not an applicant needs to remain in Australia on a short-term or long-term foundation will decide the kind of visa they apply for.
Holders of the Momentary Exercise Visa can contemplate the next visa choices:
- Scholar Visa
- Impartial Expert Visa
- Employer Sponsored Visa
- Household Visa
As with all visa courses and subclasses, candidates might be required to fulfill eligibility standards to use for any of those visas.
The closing of the subclass 408 visa follows the rollback of many laws and concessions that have been put in place through the pandemic.
To find out the most effective pathway ahead after holding a subclass 408 visa, it’s endorsed that you simply communicate with a registered migration agent.
If you want to be taught extra about your visa choices after holding a short lived exercise visa or every other facet of migration, contact the skilled crew of registered migration brokers at Visa Options Australia. Ebook a session.
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