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As a result of immediate travel bans currently taking place across the world, many people may be seeking a visa extension to stay in Australia. This includes Temporary Visa holders, such as those onshore in Australia who may not be able to safely return to their home country before their visa expires. If you are considering a visa extension, here’s what you need to know about your options to stay in Australia and apply for a new visa.
What to do if you need to stay in Australia
While your visa status may be one of the last things on your mind during a pandemic, Temporary Visa holders in Australia must ensure they continue to hold a valid visa in order to remain lawful.
Getting Assistance | Visa Extensions Perth
If your visa is expiring in the next few months, you may wish to consider visa extension options to apply for a new visa and stay in Australia.
Your eligibility for various visa options will depend on your individual circumstances, therefore it can help to seek professional advice.
To understand which visa options may be available to you to stay in Australia and how we can help, contact one of Interstaff’s Registered Migration Agents to arrange a ‘Zero-contact’ Skype or telephone consultation.
A discounted consultation fee may be available if your visa is expiring in coming months and you have been impacted by the COVID-19 travel bans.
Simply get in touch at visa@interstaff.com or +61 8 9221 3388.
What if my visa is expiring?
If your visa is expiring soon, it is common to think you may need a visa extension, but in Australia the process of extending your stay involves applying for a new visa. In many cases, a person can apply for a Visitor Visa to allow a few extra months in Australia. Applying for a Visitor Visa generally enables you to stay in Australia for 3, 6 or 12 months, depending on your circumstances.
Alternatively, other options may be available to you depending on your eligibility for various family, partner, student or work visa options. If you apply for a new visa, you will often be granted a Bridging Visa. This allows you to lawfully stay in Australia while your application for the new visa is being assessed.
The Government has also introduced the 408 COVID-19 Visa for people with no visa options – ie, those who cannot depart Australia due to the COVID-19 crisis and hold a visa that is expiring in less than 28 days (or did not expire more than 28 days ago). It may also be available to visa holders working in critical sectors. As with all visas, substantial evidence is required to support your application.
What if my visa has a ‘No Further Stay’ Condition (8503, 8534 or 8535)?
Usually there are very limited circumstances available to stay in Australia if a person’s visa grant notice has a ‘No Further Stay’ Condition (8503, 8534 or 8535). However, the good news is the Government is accepting applications for waivers of this condition to assist those impacted by the immediate travel bans. If you have a ‘No Further Stay’ Condition on your visa, you will first need to request a waiver for the condition before you can apply for a new visa.
Visa Extensions Perth
If your visa is due to expire, you may wish to consider visa extension options to apply for a new visa and stay in Australia. To have your eligibility assessed and discuss any questions you may have about your application requirements, simply contact one of Interstaff’s Registered Migration Agents to arrange a Skype or telephone consultation.
About Interstaff
Interstaff is an Australian owned and operated business specialising in providing comprehensive immigration advice throughout all stages of the visa application process. Our head office is situated in Perth, Western Australia, however we offer our immigration and visa services to individuals and businesses both Australia-wide and internationally.
For over 30 years since 1988, our leading visa agents in Perth have been helping individuals and businesses obtain a wide range of visas including temporary and permanent work visas, partner visas, student visas and tourist visas.
As required by the Australian Law, our migration agents are registered with the Office of Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) and practice under the Code of Conduct, which governs the Australian migration industry. Not only are our team members qualified professionals, but our visa agents stay abreast of Australia’s migration industry news, rules, regulations and procedures, and we keep our clients advised of any potential impacts to their application.
“On behalf of my family and I, we would like to thank the staff at Interstaff for working around the clock to achieve our goal of Permanent Residency. They are a great team of professionals and handled our case with very high standards. We greatly appreciate it – thank you!”
Michael & Violet, Permanent Residence Visa