Migration Centre of Australia

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How to extend your working holiday visa during COVID-19

Currently, there are approximately 118,000 people in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa and on April 4, the acting Minister for Immigration announced the news that a great majority of those who are on Temporary Visas in Australia will have access to their superannuation during this crisis, and has acknowledged that those on Working Holiday Visas (subclass 417) play a crucial role in the health, aged care, disability, agriculture, food processing and childcare sectors of the Australian economy. To support these critical sectors in our economy, the Government has pledged to ensure that those on Working Holiday Visas will be given ongoing employment during this time. Not only this, those on this visa will be exempt from the six month work limitation with one employer, and will be given the opportunity to apply for a further visa to continue working in these sectors if their current 417 visa is about to expire anytime during the next six months. However, if you hold a 417 visa and you are unable to apply for a second or third 417 visa, and if you are stuck in the situation where you are unable to go home to your country, you will be permitted to apply for a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream visa. This temporary visa will allow you to continue to work and remain lawfully in Australia until it is deemed safe and the travel restrictions lifted for you to return to your home country. The following industries and areas have been approved as specified work for subclass 417 (Working Holiday) visa holders towards eligibility for a second or third 417 visa application: Plant and animal cultivation in regional Australia; Fishing and pearling in regional Australia; Tree farming and felling in regional Australia; Mining in regional Australia; Construction in regional Australia; and Bushfire recovery work in declared bushfire affected areas only, carried out after 31 July 2019. With the ongoing changes and the panic surrounding the coronavirus crisis, you may be wondering: What happens if I have applied for a second or third 417 visa but my current visa is about to expire? Can I extend my current visa to look for more work to meet the ‘specified work’ requirement? What happens if I am unable to extend my 417 visa? These are questions that we receive from anxious clients and being in these circumstances and not knowing what will happen can be stressful. Understanding where you stand as a 417 visa holder during this crisis is important and it can be difficult to keep up with all the migration law and policy changes that are being changed or implemented daily. At Migration Centre of Australia, we have been trusted by our clients throughout the years to help them find their way in Australia. Our Registered Migration Agents are known in the industry for their expertise and knowledge in Working Holiday Visas and are constantly monitoring legislative updates to ensure that they are always one step ahead. If you are currently on a Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) and you need help in applying for a second or third 417 visa, or you simply require professional migration advice regarding your visa status, contact us today on 02 4626 1002 or send us an email at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au and one of our migration agents will be ready to answer all of your questions.
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Your quick guide to Visitor Visas (and what to do during COVID-19)

A visitor visa (subclass 600) is a temporary visa that you can use to visit your family and friends. This visa has replaced the following visas the Tourist visa (subclass 676), Sponsored Family Visitor visa (subclass 679), Business Visa (Short Stay) (subclass 456) and Sponsored Business Visitor Visa (Short Stay) (subclass 459). If you currently hold one of these visas, it will still be valid for the period you were given when the visa was granted. There are currently 6 streams you can apply for under the Visitor Visa: Tourist stream (apply in Australia) – you may be granted stay in Australia for up to 12 months Tourist stream (apply outside Australia) – you may be granted stay in Australia for 3, 6 or even 12 months Sponsored family stream – your family member who is an Australia citizen or permanent resident can sponsor you and you may be granted stay in Australia for up to 12 months Business visitor stream – you can make a short business trip and stay in Australia for up to 3 months Approved Destination Status stream – this allows citizens of the People’s Republic of China visit Australia through an organised tour group and their period of stay will be specified in the grant letter Frequent traveller stream – you may be granted stay in Australia for up to 10 years and stay in Australia for up to 3 months each time you visit How long can I stay? This visa will allow you to stay in Australia for a specific period of time that will be determined based on your reason to stay in Australia and for how long you want to stay in Australia. As each case is determined on an individual basis, you may or may not always get the length of stay that you have asked for. Nevertheless, with a visitor visa you may be granted multiple entries in Australia with this visa (or a single entry). If you are granted a multiple entry visitor visa this means that you may leave Australia and then come back as many times as you want, of course only while your visitor visa is valid. If you are granted a single entry visitor visa, you will not be able to re-enter once you leave Australia. How do I extend my visitor visa? Unfortunately, once your visitor visa expires, you will be unable to renew or extend it. You will need to apply for another visa. Also, if you have a condition attached to your visa, such as condition 8503 which prevents further stay, there are limited circumstances in which you may be able to request a waiver of this condition. Depending on what stream of the visitor visa you apply for, you may be subject to different visa conditions. It is important that you understand what these conditions mean and how it can impact your stay in Australia. I need help with my Visitor Visa At Migration Centre of Australia, we have been trusted by our clients throughout the years to help them find their way in Australia. Our Registered Migration Agents are known in the industry for their expertise and knowledge in Visitor Visas and are constantly monitoring legislative updates, especially during this pandemic, to ensure that they are always one step ahead. If you wish to apply for a visitor visa, or you want to know more about the different stream, or are currently on a Visitor Visa (subclass 600) and you need help in extending your stay in Australia during this pandemic, or you simply require professional migration advice regarding your visa status, contact us today on 02 4626 1002 or send us an email at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au and one of our migration agents will be ready to assist.
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Migration Centre of Australia (MCA) Your trusted partner for Australian immigration. We simplify visas, skilled migration, sponsorships, and more—so you can focus on your future.

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