Do you find yourself wondering what a 408 visa is? Have you heard people talk about this visa, with names such as “COVID-Visa” or the visa you obtain if you don’t have any other options. Well, we want to clear up any myths that exist out there.
In brief, this temporary visa allows you to work in Australia if you are employed or have a job offer in any other sector of the economy. If it happens to be a key sector, then you’re work rights are extended.
This is good news for all Temporary visa holders with work rights! The government has found a solution to curb the economic decline by extending the programs for Temporary visa holders with work rights. The Department of Immigration is accepting visa applications for Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) COVID-19 Pandemic event (Subclass 408) visa without a Visa Application Charge for a period of 6 or 12 months. The only condition for using this visa is to have an employer willing to offer you a job.
So, who’s eligible for a 408 visa?
To be eligible to apply for this visa, applicants must:
- be in Australia
- have evidence of your employment or an offer of employment
- have 90 days or less remaining on your current substantive visa, or have a substantive visa that expired less than 28 days ago.
- meet the health and character requirements
- able to support yourself and any dependent family members with you in Australia
- have adequate health insurance
- be a genuine temporary entrant
- have paid back debt to the Australian Government
- not have had a visa canceled or a previous application refused
- sign the Australian values statement
To be eligible for a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa you must have a substantive visa with work rights, unless you have a job offer from a Commonwealth-funded aged care service.
408 Visa Duration
- You can stay up to 12 months if you work in agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care, child care, tourism, or hospitality.
- If another industry, this visa is valid for up to 6 months
Visa Application Fee (VAC)
This is “FREE”. We want to highlight that this is unheard of within Australia! For the COVID-19 pandemic visa, applicants are not required to pay the visa application fee. Other expenses may include health checks, police certificates, and undergoing medical examinations required for the visa.
In order to obtain the “FREE” Visa, applicants must select ‘yes’ to the visa application charge concession question, and select the ‘Nil VAC’ option in the application form.
Obligations
All applicants and their families must comply with the visa conditions and public health directions to stay safe against COVID-19. If the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa has been granted, you should continue to work in Australia while you hold this visa. If you are no longer employed, you should find new employment or make plans to leave Australia.
Your actions must not have an impact on the employment, training, or working conditions of Australian citizens or permanent residents. More information on visa conditions can be found through this link.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-activity-408/
Keep in mind that the COVID-19 only applies to those with temporary work rights. However, there is no time restriction on COVID-19 as it is valid for a period of 6 months or 12 months. The main aim of the government while introducing this program has been to keep skilled workers in Australia and boost up the Australian economy. Following this visa, opportunities exist for many different visa options.The Australian Government has created this visa categories to meet the demands of the business community, but we all need to ensure that we do our due diligence before applying for any visa option.
If you are interested in applying or wondering how to apply for a 408 visa, or require further information please feel free to contact us by email at info@mirandamigration.com.au
