Due to the impact of the pandemic, many people’s life plans have changed accordingly, and renewing a visa has become very different from the past. Today we’ve put together a detailed comparison of onshore renewal options: the Subclass 408 visa, the part-work/part-study student visa, and the onshore visitor visa.
Subclass 408 Visa— COVID Stream: During the pandemic, many temporary visa holders in Australia found themselves unable to renew their visas or depart the country, while labour shortages caused by COVID-19 were becoming increasingly apparent,so the government launched the Subclass 408 COVID-19 Stream in April 2020, with no official visa application charge.
The Subclass 408 visa comes in two types: with work rights and without work rights:
Type 1: The Subclass 408 visa with work rights is valid for 12 months. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
-
Be onshore in Australia and hold adequate Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC)
-
Unable to depart Australia due to the pandemic
-
Evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself
-
Working in a critical sector (agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care, childcare, tourism and hospitality)
-
An employer-provided letter of employment confirming the critical and irreplaceable nature of the role
Type 2: The Subclass 408 visa without work rights is for applicants who do not work in a critical sector but are unable to depart due to the pandemic and have no other visa renewal options.
You may request a preferred visa length at the time of application, but the final duration is determined by the decision-maker — typically 3 to 6 months — and is intended primarily as a short-term bridging arrangement.
Both types can be applied for if your current visa is due to expire within 90 days, or within 28 days after expiry. So if your visa is about to expire or has just expired, come to us for an assessment!
Part-work/Part-study Student Visa,When most people think of a student visa, their first reaction is expensive tuition fees and heavy study commitments,but the part-work/part-study student visa largely avoids these concerns.
This type of visa offers flexible course options that are relatively straightforward and affordable, and can be renewed multiple times upon expiry.
Whether you are on a visitor visa, student visa, or Subclass 485, if you wish to remain in Australia lawfully on a longer-term basis, this option is worth considering. There is a wide range of courses available, including business, aged care, and hospitality.
Under this visa, work hours are generally capped at 40 hours per fortnight,however, those working in critical sectors — such as hospitality or the care industry — currently benefit from a special pandemic exemption and are not subject to the work-hour cap.
Newstars on Change.org
Petition to the Prime Minister and Minister for Immigration
Over 22,000 signatures!
1. Following New Zealand’s policy, grant a one-off amnesty to temporary residents who have been struggling through lengthy waits for permanent migration.
2. Restore the skilled migration visa quota for this financial year to at least its original level of 108,000 places.
Coverage by SBS and ABC News!
Keep raising your voice — make a difference together.
Sign! Sign! Sign!
(Long-press the QR code below)
Visitor VisaAs a renewal option, the visitor visa is most suitable for applicants who only need to remain in Australia for a short period. The granted visa is commonly between 3 and 6 months, with the actual duration determined at the time of the decision — it cannot be guaranteed at the application stage.
This visa does not carry work rights,and allows study for a maximum of 3 months. It is best suited to those who only need a brief bridging stay or who already have a clear and specific plan for their next visa.
However, please be aware thatthis visa typically carries a Condition 8503 restriction, which means that if your visa carries Condition 8503 you cannot lodge another visa application onshore. During the pandemic, however, a large number of visitor visa holders in Australia have been unable to depart for various reasons. Waiver applications for Condition 8503 on COVID-19 grounds will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
// Bridging — Planning — Consultation //
Migration & Study Abroad News
Recommended Videos
Past Articles
Seamlessly transition to state nomination or employer sponsorship for PR!Accounting / Engineering / ITand hundreds of other occupations!
Seamlessly transition to state nomination or employer sponsorship for PR!Accounting / Engineering / ITand hundreds of other occupations!
Queensland’s small business stream has been expanded this financial year — more accessible and flexible than ever!
Invitation quota doubled to 4,000! No investment or sponsorship required — and no job offer needed!
Full-time work visa activated in as little as six months! Business postgraduate graduates fast-tracking their IT skills assessment!
Migration Information & Q&A Group
Step 1: Long-press to add our customer service contact
Step 2: After adding, please
Real estate / marketing background — how to migrate?Click ‘Original Link’Watch the video — a business background may give you an advantage!
