The Australian Federal Government has just announced it is closing the 408 Pandemic Visa (COVID visa).
The staged closure will be as follows:
- From 2 September 2023, the Pandemic Event visa will only be open to applications from visa applicants who currently hold a Pandemic Event visa. It will attract a $405 lodgment fee (previously it was free) and once granted it will only be for 6 months (reduced from 12 months). All other visa holders will be ineligible for the Pandemic Event visa.
- From February 2024, the visa will be closed to all applicants.
Anyone with a valid Pandemic Event visa will remain lawful until their current visa expires.
The Pandemic Visa was used as a temporary work solution providing applicants 12 months of work rights. The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, The Hon Andrew Giles has stated:
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