The Australian Government has announced important concessions in relation to people applying for a range of visas during the pandemic.

However due to COVID-19, it has been very difficult for people to travel and as a result a range of temporary concessions will be implemented as outlined below.

Partner and Child Visas

From 27 February 2021 these visas which require the application to be offshore when granted will allow the application to remain in Australiawithout travelling offshore when the visa is granted:

• Partner (subclass 309) visa
• Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa
• Child (subclass 101) visa
• Adoption (subclass 102) visa
• Dependent Child (subclass 445) visa

Parent Visas

From 24 March 2021 these visas which require the application to be offshore when granted will allow the application to remain in Australia without travelling offshore when the visa is granted:

• Contributory Parent (subclass 173) visa
• Contributory Parent (subclass 143) visa
• Parent (subclass 103) visa

Temporary Graduate Visa

Since 1 February 2020 the the Graduate Work, the Post Study Work and the Second Post Study Work streams of the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visas have allowed applicants to lodge and be granted their visa while they are outside Australia, if impacted by travel restrictions.

Business Innovation Permanent Visa – Residency requirements

Normally Applicants who apply for a Subclass 888 Permanent Visa whilst holding a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) Business Innovation stream or Business Innovation Extension stream must usually have been physically present in Australia for a least 1 year in the 2 years immediately before they apply.

Since 1 February 2020 anytime spent overseas will be considered time spent in Australia if the first visa in the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) was granted on or before 30 June 2019

The first visa in the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) in the Business Innovation stream must have been granted on or before 30 June 2019.

Subclass 887 – Skilled Regional Visas – Onshore / Offshore concessions

Since 1 February 2020, applicants outside Australia who are granted their visa whilst outside Australia will be able to utilise the following shorter employment requirements and shorter residency requirements:

• 9 months full-time work in a specified regional area. A concession of 3 months off the usual 12 month period (or, if the Minister specifies a shorter period in a legislative instrument, that shorter period), and
• 18 months residence in a specified regional area. A concession of 6 months off the usual 2 year period (or, if the Minister specifies a shorter period in a legislative instrument, that shorter period).

If the applicant applies onshore, they will still be required to meet the 2 year residency period in a specified regional area.

They will receive the 3 month employment concession of 9 months full-time work in a specified regional area (or, if the Minister specifies a shorter period in a legislative instrument, that shorter period).

Do you want to know more about concessions for Australian visa applications?

Our team of registered migration agents and immigration lawyers can assist you with your visa application. We have assisted thousands of people to migrate to Australia through a wide range of visa options.

Contact our team today.