Important Information for Temporary Visa Holders During COVID-19 Pandemic
At last, The Hon Alan Tudge MP, Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs have announced important key information for temporary visa holders in the midst of this pandemic situation on 4 April 2020.
The government has announced that the following key changes will apply to the major classes of temporary visa holders.
For International Students Holding a Student Visa
Students who have been here longer than 12 months who find themselves in financial hardship will be able to access their Australian superannuation (ability to withdraw $10,00 from superannuation for this financial year).
The Government will also be flexible in cases where Coronavirus has prevented international students from meeting their visa conditions (such as not being able to attend classes).
Temporary Skilled Visa Holders Subclass 457 or Subclass 482 Visa
The Temporary Skilled Visa (subclass 457 visa or subclass 482 visa) holders will also be able to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation this financial year.
Temporary Skilled Visa holders who have been laid off due to coronavirus should leave the country in line with existing visa conditions if they are unable to secure a new sponsor. However, should a 4-year visa holder be re-employed after the coronavirus pandemic, their time already spent in Australia will count towards their permanent residency skilled work experience requirements.
Working Holiday Makers Supporting Critical Sectors
If you are holding the subclass 417 or subclass 462 visa and you are working in Health, Aged and Disability Care, Agriculture and food processing and childcare, you will be exempted from the six-month work limitation with one employer. You will also be eligible for a further visa to keep working in those critical sectors if your current visa is due to expire in the next six months.
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help You
If your visa is about to expire, you have been laid off from your current employer, or if you have been affected in terms of your immigration goal by COVID-19, please contact us as our Special COVID-19 Taskforce is on standby to assist you. Our team is equipped and trained to advise you on across a wide range of issues you may be encountering.
We speak fluent English, Korean, Burmese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Indonesian and Malay. If these aren’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.