408: COVID visa closed for all but existing COVID visa holders from 2 September 2023, 1 February 2024 closed to all
/The pandemic may seem like a long time ago, however, the visa that facilitated overseas nationals to remain in Australia with unrestricted work rights, the subclass 408 - Temporary Activity visa under the Australian Government endorsed events stream (COVID-19 Pandemic event) also known as the “COVID” visa, will close in stages.
From 2 September 2023, only two days from the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs’ joint announcement, new applicants can only be made by those who hold an existing COVID visa.
This means that tomorrow, 1 September 2023, will be the last day any non-COVID visa holder can validly lodge an application. Obviously, they must consider whether they can meet the requirements for this visa, including holding a substantive visa with work rights that expire in 90 days or less, or that expired 28 days ago or less.
The likely reason why this has been sprung on the public is to avoid an avalanche of applications.
Existing COVID visa holders will have until 31 January 2024 to lodge a further visa application.
There are, however, a few strings attached:
Their existing COVID visa must expire in 28 days or less, rather than 90 days or less,
They must pay a visa application charge of $405. This will probably not include any surcharge, and
Any visa granted will be for only 6 months instead of the current 12 months.
While the event will close in February 2024, it will not affect existing visa holders. Their visas will not be cancelled, nor will their expiry date be brought forward. However, those who do not have any further visa options to remain in Australia are expected to depart.
This has been a while coming and indicators were the rolling back of unrestricted work rights for almost all student visa holders and working holidaymakers.
The event served its purpose well but certainly could not continue indefinitely.