The government announced the automatic extensions of validity of the following visas for holders impacted by the border closures.
Temporary Graduate Visas – Subclass 485
Subclass 485 visas validity has been extended to 30 September 2022, even those that have expired between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021.
The eligibility criteria for the extension are that the main applicant must:
- have been outside of Australia at any time between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021;
- holds or have held a subclass 485 visa which was in effect during that time which has ceased, or would have ceased, before 1 October 2022;
- not have had the visa cancelled; and
not have been granted another substantive visa.
Skilled Regional Provisional Visa- Subclass 489
Subclass 489 visas validity has been extended for three years from the expiry date even those that have expired between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021.
The eligibly criteria for the extension are that the main visa holder must:
- have been outside of Australia for any length of time between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 inclusive; and
- holds or have held a subclass 489 visa during that time,
- not have had the visa cancelled.
Skilled Regional Provisional Visas – Subclass 491 and 494
Subclass 491 and 494 visa holders have their visa validity extended to eight years instead of five years.
The eligibly criteria for the extension are that the main visa holder must:
- have been outside of Australia for any length of time between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 inclusive, and
- have held a SC 491 or 494 during that time; and
- have held a visa that was in effect on 18 February 2022; and
- not have had the visa cancelled.
It follows that the visas for family members are also extended.
Note: The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances. Please contact us and one of our experts will get in touch with you promptly.