Visa conditions change for several subclasses as COVID-19 concession period ends

The COVID-19 concession period, providing ease to applicants of certain visa subclasses who faced challenges in meeting requirements due to pandemic-related travel restrictions, came to an end as of 25 November.

Australian government said that the concession period is no longer relevant as all COVID-19 international travel restrictions have been lifted. Source: AAP / JULIAN SMITH/AAPIMAGE

The latest change will affect six types of visa program including family visas, employer sponsored visas, and skilled regional and temporary graduate visas.

The concession period was initiated as a result of the 2020 pandemic, which triggered global travel restrictions, subsequently impacting business and employment conditions.

The former government implemented temporary measures related to an initial concession period.

Temporary adjustments were introduced to support applicants in specific visa categories impacted by travel restrictions, resulting in challenges in fulfilling visa criteria.

This was especially evident in instances where the applicant's location played a pivotal role in the application process.

Visa application Form (Representative image) Credit: teekid/Getty Images

However, in a recent statement, the government said that the concession period is no longer relevant as all COVID-19 international travel restrictions have been lifted.

"Ending the concession period will contribute to a well-managed migration system. This will restore integrity by ensuring unintended cohorts are not accessing concessions," the government said.

According to Neha Singh, a migration expert in Melbourne, the government returning to visa settings from before the COVID-19 pandemic will effect many prospective visa applicants.

Visa image Source: Moment RF / Alexander W Helin/Getty Images

"Several visa programs have been affected by this latest move. For example, the concession to the age exemption for high income earning applicants will also not apply for the new Employer Nomination Scheme as well as the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme," Ms Singh explained.

"Periods of reduced work due to COVID-19 will not count towards meeting the work experience requirements for the new applicants of employer sponsored visas," she added.

The concession which allowed​​ eligible prospective Subclass 887 visa applicants to lodge from outside Australia no longer applies.

"After 25 November 2023 eligible skilled provisional visa holders applying for a Subclass 887 visa must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when applying," the Department of Home Affairs said.

Department of Home Affairs building. Source: SBS / SBS Dari

The government also removed a condition for certain parent visa categories which allowed them to stay in Australia at the time of the visa grant.

"Applicants of the Parent visa Subclass 103, Contributory Parent visa Subclass 173 and Subclass 143 were allowed to have their visas granted even if they were present in Australia on that date, provided they met all other visa criteria," Ms Singh said.

"However, starting from 26 November 2023, applicants for these visas must be outside Australia and satisfy the remaining visa criteria to be eligible for visa approval.

"The visa conditions for Temporary Graduate visa applicants has also changed and from 25 November 2023 all applications for any stream of the Temporary Graduate visa (TGV) program must be lodged in Australia, a restriction which was lifted during COVID."

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