Australia Visa Extension Update – Extension of Temporary Graduate and Skilled Regional Provisional Visas
485 Temporary Graduate Visa
Replacement SC 485 visas will be available to visa holders who lost time outside Australia due to the border restrictions.
The legislation extends certain Subclass 485 visas to 30 September 2022 to provide time for a visa holder affected by COVID-19 related international travel restrictions to apply for a replacement Subclass 485 visa. This australia visa extension will be available from mid 2022.
Visas that ceased during this relevant period are also extended even though they have ceased.
To be eligible for the extension the primary applicant must have:
- been outside of Australia at any time between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021,
- hold or held a subclass 485 visa which was in effect during that time which has ceased, or would have ceased, before 1 October 2022,
- was not cancelled; and
- has not been granted another substantive visa;
- relevant family members’ visas are also extended.
Skilled Regional Provisional Visas
Subclass 489
The legislation allows the legacy cohort of Skilled Regional Provisional SC 489 visa holders to have their visas extended for a period of three years from their original cessation date to allow these visa holders to meet the requirements for permanent residency.
Visas that ceased during this relevant period are also extended even though they have ceased.
To be eligible for this visa validity extension, the primary visa holder must have:
- been outside of Australia for any length of time between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 inclusive, and
- hold or held a subclass 489 visa during that time,
- which has not been cancelled;
- relevant family members’ visas are also extended.
Subclass 491 and 494
The legislation provides arrangements for holders of Skilled Work Provisional SC 491 visas and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional SC 494 visa holders to maintain their relevant pathways to permanent residency.
To be eligible for this visa validity extension, the primary visa holder must have:
- been outside of Australia for any length of time between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 inclusive, and
- held a SC 491 or 494 during that time, and
- that is in effect on 18 February 2022, and
- which has not been cancelled;
- relevant family members’ visas are also extended.
For assistance with Australian migration and visas, please contact our expert registered migration agents at info@visalounge.com.au
