18/09/2020
COVID-19 concession to allow offshore Subclass 485 application
It's a big relief for those who are stuck outside Australia because of COVID-19 restrictions. Now, international students who have completed their studies are eligible to apply for Subclass 485 visa even from outside Australia. The visa period will start when they enter Australia after the border restrictions are removed.
Highlights of the concession:
1) allowing applicants to apply for a Subclass 485 visa while in or outside Australia during a concession period;
2) allowing applications to be made outside Australia during a concession period without the usual requirement to have held a student visa within the six month period immediately before making the application;
3) extending the period to meet the Australian Study Requirement from six months to 12 months for applicants prevented from returning to Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions during all or part of the period commencing on 1 February 2020 and ending on 19 September 2020;
4) allowing applicants to be granted a Subclass 485 visa while in or outside Australia during a concession period;
5) allowing applicants that applied for a SC 485 outside Australia during a concession period to be granted a SC 485 visa in or outside of Australia even if the concession period has ended.
Contact Noble Visa Consultants for further information and assistance.
