Impact of Covid-19 on Australia Immigration

Like most countries, Australia has also taken some measures concerning its immigration policy and arrivals. However, despite the announced precautionary measures, Australia allows its Permanent Residents and Citizens to travel to Australia.

Moreover, Australia's federal and state governments continue to accept the EOIs/applications for the skilled visa categories. Now, as an aspirant and applicant of immigration to Australia, you may be having many questions in mind; here is the answer to these questions based on the latest announcements from the government of Australia.

No more Covid-19 Restrictions in Australia

Australian government has removed all Covid-19 restrictions. Find below the timeline of all-recent announcements made by the government of Australia regarding the travel and immigration to Australia:

• Removal of Covid-19 restrictions: On 6 July 2022, Australia removed all Covid-19 related restrictions. It implies that travellers to Australia no longer need to complete a Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status.
• No travel exemption required- Now all visa holders can travel to Australia without needing a travel exemption.
• People arriving by sea also do not require completing a Maritime Travel Declaration (MTD). However, the Airlines, cruise ship operators and other nations may still have categorical requirements that travellers must comply with.
• Federal and State governments are accepting applications Federal as well as almost all state governments of Australia are now accepting the applications from overseas immigration applicants.
• Earlier, on 15 December 2021, Australia reopened its borders for all fully vaccinated eligible visa holders, i.e. skilled professionals and international students, etc. These eligible visa holders can travel to Australia without requirement to apply for a travel exemption. It includes eligible visa holders in Australia looking to depart and return. 

Note: - From 15 December 2021, Australia has reopened its borders for all fully vaccinated eligible visa holders, i.e. skilled professionals and international students, etc. These eligible visa holders can travel to Australia without requirement to apply for a travel exemption. It includes eligible visa holders in Australia looking to depart and return. 

• Is Australia still accepting/processing visa applications?

The DHA (Department of Home Affairs), Australia has not indicated any ban on accepting new visa applications or EOIs. In fact, now various Australia states have received the annual nomination quota and the Department of Home Affairs, Australia is also holding the monthly SkillSelect invitation rounds as it recently released the October SkillSelect round results.

Who will be considered fully Vaccinated while traveling to Austraila?

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approves the COVID-19 vaccines for use in Australia. Hence, the vaccine you received must be approved or recognised by TGA. To qualify as fully vaccinated in Australia, you need to have had either

• 2 full doses minimum 14 days apart of
  • Comirnaty (Pfizer)
  • Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca)
  • Covishield (AstraZeneca)
  • Spikevax (Moderna)
  • Takeda (Moderna)
  • Coronavac (Sinovac)
  • BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) (for 18-60 years old) 
  • Covaxin (Bharat Biotech) or
• one dose of Janssen-Cilag (Johnson & Johnson)

• Who all are eligible to travel to Australia now?

As per the Government of Australia, all Australian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members are allowed to travel to Australia with a condition of 14-day quarantine at designated facilities on arrival (i.e. a hotel in your port of arrival).​

Permanent Residents- the Permanent residents of Australia can return to Australia. However, they will be required to undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities (for example, a hotel) in their port of arrival. This includes overseas people who have received a permanent visa. However, they have not yet arrived on that visa.

Travel restrictions are subject to change. Some exemptions are in place. So, keep checking regularly.

• Is Australia accepting the application or Inviting applicants through the SkillSelect round?

The DHA (Department of Home Affairs), Australia, has recently released the details of its invitation round. Besides, the DHA allows the applicants to submit EOI (Expression of Interest) through SkillSelect online system.

• Can you apply for a state nominated visa or get the nomination invitation now?

Well, the different states of Australia have received the full nomination quota from the federal government and thus are continuing to issue the nomination invitation to the applicants through their respective nomination invitation rounds

• I am not able to provide additional information due to office closure (Health or Police clearances, Biometrics, English Language Testing)

All such applicants will be given additional time to complete checks and provide requested information.

• Visa medical appointments disrupted due to Covid-19

The Visa processing officers are aware of the disruptions. The government of Australia will consider the extended timeframes when considering such applicants' visa application. Hence, you do not need to contact the DHA if your visa medical has been rescheduled.

Keep visiting this page or Immigration News Section on Visas Avenue website for the latest immigration news and updates concerning Covid-19 impact on Australia immigration policies, rules and regulations.

Further, if you have any query or want assistance to immigrate to Australia on a Skilled visa, PR visa, visit visa, study visa, etc., you may contact Visas Avenue immigration expert on Toll-Free Number– 78-18-000-777.

Moreover, to get your eligibility checked and subsequently get a call back from our visa expert, you may fill the free assessment form.

You may also send your queries to info@visasavneue.com.

Disclaimer- The source of information or FAQs shared on this page is the official website of Australia Immigration, i.e. www.homeaffairs.gov.au. The same is subject to change/update based on the latest or new guidelines issued by Australia's Government. To know the latest status of shared information, you may write to us at info@visasavenue.com.