The Australian government has extended the validities of Subclass 485, 489, 491 and 494 visas for those affected by the COVID-19 border closures.

Key Points:

  • Temporary Graduate Visas – Subclass 485. Subclass 485 visas are now valid until Sept. 30, 2022, for primary applicants who were offshore Australia at any time between Feb. 1, 2020, and Dec. 14, 2021, held or still hold a subclass 485 visa which would have expired before Oct. 1, 2022, did not have their 485 visa canceled and did not receive another visa.
  • Skilled Regional Provisional Visa – Subclass 489. Subclass 489 visa holders can extend the validity of their visa for three years from the original expiration date.
    • To be eligible for the extension of the subclass 489 visa, primary applicants must have been offshore Australia at any time between Feb. 1, 2020, and Dec. 14, 2021, must have held or still hold a subclass 489 visa and not have had their subclass 489 visa canceled.
  • Skilled Work Provisional Visas – Subclass 491 and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visas – Subclass 494. Subclass 491 and 494 visa holders can now meet permanent residence requirements by extending the validity of their visa for three years from the original expiration date.
    • To be eligible for the extension of the subclass 491 or 494 visa, primary applicants must have been offshore Australia at any time between Feb. 1, 2020, and Dec. 14, 2021, have held a subclass 491 or 494 visa during that time and still in effect as of Feb. 18 and not have had  their subclass 491 or 494 visa canceled.

Additional Information: The aforementioned visa extensions are also applicable to dependents of the primary visa holder.

BAL Analysis: Travelers should check entry requirements before planning travel to Australia. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Australian government has announced that it will reopen its borders to fully vaccinated visa holders on Feb. 21.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Feb. 21, fully vaccinated tourists, business travelers and other visitors will be allowed to enter the country.
  • Visa holders who are not fully vaccinated will need a valid travel exemption to enter Australia and will be subject to territory-specific quarantine requirements.

Additional Information: A full list of COVID-19 vaccines approved by Australian authorities is available here. More information regarding Australia’s entry and health requirements is available here.

BAL Analysis: Australian authorities intend to allow more travelers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the country. Travelers should check entry requirements before planning travel to Australia. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Australian government has updated its list of approved COVID-19 vaccinations.

Key Points:

  • As of Jan. 17, travelers will be considered fully vaccinated if they received a Coronavac, Covishield, Covaxin or Sputnik V vaccination at least 14 days before arrival.
    • Travelers who have received the BBIBP-CorV vaccination within 14 days of arrival and are under the age of 60 when entering Australia will be considered fully vaccinated.
  • A full list of COVID-19 vaccines approved by Australian authorities is available here.

Additional Information: More information regarding Australia’s entry and health requirements is available here.

BAL Analysis: Authorities intend to allow more travelers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the country. Travelers should check entry requirements before planning travel to Australia. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Australian government has eased entry restrictions for individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Key Points:

  • Under a change that took effect Dec. 15, fully vaccinated travelers will be able to enter Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption if they hold certain visas, including but not limited to:
    • Subclass 400 – Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visas.
    • Subclass 403 – Temporary Work (International Relations) visas.
    • Subclass 407 – Training visas.
    • Subclass 408 – Temporary Activity visas.
    • Subclass 457 – Temporary Work (Skilled) visas.
    • Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visas.
    • Subclass 485 – Temporary Graduate visas.
    • Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visas.
    • Subclass 500 – Student visas.
  • Individuals on a bridging visa awaiting the outcome of their visa application still need a travel exemption to enter or exit Australia.

Additional Information: The Australian government intended to ease its entry restrictions on Dec. 1 but postponed their implementation because of the Omicron variant. Travelers should check health and quarantine requirements for the state or territory which they are entering. More information on specific state and territory requirements can be found here. When traveling to Australia, individuals will be required to show airline personnel their International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC) or foreign vaccinate certificate that meets Australian travel requirements.

BAL Analysis: Eligible fully vaccinated visa holders will face fewer barriers when traveling to Australia. Additional visa subclasses may be added over time as the virus situation improves. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Australian government has postponed the easing of entry restrictions for international inbound travelers, including students and skilled workers.

Key Points:

  • Non-Australian citizens from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe are barred from entering Australia until at least Dec. 15.
    • Australian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family members including parents arriving from countries listed above must undergo a supervised quarantine for 14 days.
  • Authorities delayed the reopening of travel for Japanese and South Korean nationals until at least Dec. 15.
  • Australia’s border remains closed to all travelers except:
    • Fully vaccinated Australian citizens and their immediate family.
    • Permanent residents and their immediate family.
    • Fully vaccinated green-lane travelers from New Zealand and Singapore.

Additional Information: Australians flying internationally to New South Wales and Victoria must undergo a 72 hour quarantine. Australians flying internationally to any other state must quarantine for 14 days. State and territory quarantine requirements can be found here. More information on travel restrictions and exemptions can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus will make travel to Australia from a number of countries in Southern Africa more difficult in the days and weeks ahead. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@balglobal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@balglobal.com.

IMPACT – HIGH

The Australian government recently announced that certain visa holders who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 would no longer need to apply for travel exemptions to enter the country.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Dec. 1, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers will be able to enter Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption if they hold certain visas, including but not limited to:
    • Subclass 400 – Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visas.
    • Subclass 407 – Training visas.
    • Subclass 408 – Temporary Activity visas.
    • Subclass 457 – Temporary Work (Skilled) visas.
    • Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visas.
    • Subclass 485 – Temporary Graduate visas.
    • Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visas.
    • Subclass 500 – Student visas.
  • A full list of exempt visas can be found here.

Additional Information: Travelers should check health and quarantine requirements for the state or territory which they are entering. More information on specific state and territory requirements can be found here. When traveling to Australia, individuals will be required to show airline personnel their International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC) or foreign vaccinate certificate that meets Australian travel requirements.

BAL Analysis: Eligible fully vaccinated visa holders will face fewer barriers when traveling to Australia. Additional visa subclasses may be added over time as the virus situation improves. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Australian government has announced that two new permanent resident visa streams for Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders will be launched on March 5, 2022.

Subclass 191 – the Hong Kong (regional) stream. To be eligible individuals must:

  • Be the primary visa holder who was usually living in Australia for three continuous years immediately before applying.
  • Have lived, worked and studied exclusively in a designated regional area for the three continuous years.
  • Have held a qualifying visa during the three-year period.
  • Hold a Hong Kong or BNO passport.

Subclass 189 – the Hong Kong stream. To be eligible individuals must:

  • Be the primary visa holder who was usually living in Australia for four continuous years immediately before applying.
  • Have held a qualifying visa during the four-year period.
  • Hold a Hong Kong or BNO passport.

Additional Information: For those whose qualifying visas were extended for five years on July 9, 2020, time spent on that visa before the extension will count towards the three-year living requirement. There is no requirement to meet an income threshold for the three years before applying for the Hong Kong (regional) stream. Primary and secondary applicants must also meet the relevant health requirements.

BAL Analysis: Eligible Hong Kong and BNO passport holders will benefit from the two new permanent resident visa streams in spring 2022. BAL will continue to monitor developments of these visa streams and will provide more information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – HIGH

The Australian government recently announced that it would lift travel restrictions for vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents on Nov.1.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Nov. 1, fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents over the age of 12 will be able to travel internationally without a travel exemption.
    • Children under the age of 12 who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons will also be able to travel overseas without an exemption.
  • Fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents may be allowed to quarantine at home instead of in a designated quarantine hotel.
  • Non-resident foreign nationals will not be allowed to travel under these upcoming guidelines.

Additional Information: Once 80% of the Australian population is fully vaccinated, authorities plan to remove arrival caps. More information on the country’s reopening plan can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The reopening of international travel is good news as Australia’s borders have been closed since March 2020. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Australian government recently announced that it would reduce travel restrictions for vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents in November. The reduced travel restrictions would apply to residents of states that have reached 80% double vaccination.

Key Points:

  • Fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents over the age of 12 will be able to travel internationally without a travel exemption.
    • Children under the age of 12 who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons will also be able to travel overseas without an exemption.
  • Fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents may be allowed to quarantine at home instead of in a designated quarantine hotel.
  • Non-resident foreigners would not be allowed to travel under these upcoming guidelines.

Additional Information: Once 80% of the Australian population is fully vaccinated, authorities plan to remove arrival caps. More information on the country’s reopening plan can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The reopening of international travel is well-anticipated news as Australia’s borders have been closed since March 2020. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global practice. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Australian government will reopen its borders and reduce restrictions dependent on the percentage of the country’s vaccinated population.

Key Points:

  • After 70% of the population has been vaccinated, the government will:
    • Return the incoming passenger cap for unvaccinated arrivals to 6,060 arrivals nationally per week and increase the cap for fully vaccinated arrivals.
    • Allow a capped entry of student and economic visa holders (186 and 482 visas).
    • Reduce quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travelers.
  • Once 80% of the population has been vaccinated, the government will:
    • Remove all caps on returning fully vaccinated Australians.
    • Lift all travel restrictions for fully vaccinated Australians leaving the country.
    • Increase the capped entry of student, economic and humanitarian visa holders.
    • Slowly reopen international travel with select countries.
  • After 80% of the population has been vaccinated, the government will gradually:
    • Reopen its borders to all international travel.
    • Remove all caps on international arrivals and quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travelers.
    • Allow unvaccinated travelers to enter the country but subject them to pre- and post-arrival testing as well as a quarantine.

Additional information: The Australian government has yet to announce which vaccines it will recognize for travel and immigration purposes.

BAL Analysis: Australia expects it will reach 70% vaccination status in late October or early November and the 80% vaccination status in December of this year. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.