Partner visas: sponsor framework and English coming late 2021; electronic passenger cards; COVID-19 visa refunds and waivers

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Partner visas: sponsor framework and English coming late 2021; electronic passenger cards; COVID-19 visa refunds and waivers

Late 2021 is when the partner visa sponsorship framework and English requirements will commence. Sponsors must be approved before a valid partner visa application can be lodged. Incoming passenger cards will be replaced by Digital Passenger Declarations in the near future. Visa application charge refunds and waivers are available for some temporary visa holders whose travel to Australia has been affected by COVID-19 border closures.

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WHM visas: Critical COVID-19 work anywhere in Australia after 31 January 2020 accepted as specified work

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WHM visas: Critical COVID-19 work anywhere in Australia after 31 January 2020 accepted as specified work

From today, any application for a second or third Working Holiday Maker visa, Subclass 417 – Working Holiday visa and Subclass 462 – Work and Holiday visa, where an applicant has undertaken critical COVID-19 work in the healthcare and medical sectors in any postcode in Australia after 31 January 2020 will count towards specified work. What is defined as critical COVID-19 work is open to interpretation.

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482 visas: Australia-UK free trade agreement negotiations commencing; international visitors likely in 2021

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482 visas: Australia-UK free trade agreement negotiations commencing; international visitors likely in 2021

With as much fanfare as Boris Johnson could muster, both the UK and Australia announced formal negotiations towards a free trade agreement between these two historically close countries. Visa benefits are likely to include international trade obligation exempting labour market testing for UK nationals when being nominated for a Subclass 482 – Skill Shortage visa, and perhaps the lifting of the age cap from 30 to 35 for Subclass 417 – Working Holiday visas. Also, the likelihood of Australia welcoming international visitors for holiday purposes seems to have been pushed back to 2021.

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COVID-19: 408 visa to the rescue for temporary visa holders stuck in Australia

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COVID-19: 408 visa to the rescue for temporary visa holders stuck in Australia

Last updated: 8 January 2021

The legislative instrument that classifies the COVID-19 as an Australian Government endorsed event was registered yesterday. Just who can (or rather should apply) for this visa appears more of a circumstance created under policy than fact.

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