Betsy Koffel, from Phillip Au & Associates Immigration agent in Sydney explains what to do if your visa is affected by COVID-19
- For PR visa holders
Holders of PR visas residing in Australia will be treated the same as Australian citizens in term of the right to get financial assistance through jobseekers and jobkeepers.
To explore jobseeker opportunities, they must contact Centrelink while for the jobkeeper, payments will be made through the company where they work, so they must contact their respective employers.
For entry and exit permits of PR visa holders (the same as Australian citizens) it is recommended not to go abroad and for PR holders who are overseas on their return to Australia, they must undergo a 14-day isolation process.
The family members of PR visa holders, need to have an entry permit from the Australian representative before even buying a ticket because only those who gets the permission exemptions are permitted to enter Australia and if you get permission, you must also undergo 14 days of isolation after arriving in Australia.
- For TR visa holders in Australia
TR visa holders in Australia must ensure that they continue to have a valid visa, not to let the visa expire due to corona reasons.
The easiest way is to apply for a visitor visa and if your current visa lists with 8503 conditions, you must first submit a 'waiver' before applying for a visa.
TR holders who have lost their jobs due to the closure of their workplaces or are forced to agree to take leave without pay, at present, they cannot get a jobseeker and jobkeeper package.
However, MIA institutions representing immigration agents have submitted proposals to provide new visas that can be submitted for free and the new visa holder is expected to be able to get jobseekers and jobkeeper benefits.
This new visa priority will be given to holders of vsia 457 and 482. However, to date there has been no decision from the government regarding this matter
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Amendment from Minister Alan Tudge 04-April-2020
• Working Holiday Makers: exempt from 6 month work limitation working in health, aged and disability care, agriculture and food processing, and childcare. Eligible for a second or third WHV afterwards.
• 482/457s: if stood down but not laid-off, i.e. unpaid leave effectively, will maintain visa validity without breach and able to lodge new 457/482 where business is still sponsoring. Businesses able to reduce work hours without breach. Able to access $10K super this financial year. Those with 4-year 457/482s re-employed can count time spent in Australia towards PR.
• International Students: if here longer for 12 months, can access superannuation to support themselves if unable to rely on family support from overseas. Some institutions providing fee discounts. If working in aged care and as nurses then can work longer than 40 hours a fortnight already. MOST IMPORTANTLY: those already working in supermarkets on extended work rights will have these work rights cease on 1 May 2020 to normal 40 hours a fortnight because more Australians are going to be recruited to fulfill these roles.
• Visitor Visas: return home if unable to extend stay or rely on family support.
For TR visa holders abroad
Many visa holders, either visitors or working holidays, have received a grant letter but cannot enter Australia due to a travel ban issued by the Australian government for foreigners.
Meanwhile the Australian immigration office has not yet issued provisions to discuss this matter, because currently the Australian government is focusing on combating the COVID-19 virus for the welfare of Australians and permanent residents of the country.
All information above is valid as on 04/04/2020.
