Australia Ends Pandemic Visa for International Students, Impacting Many

The Australian government has announced the discontinuation of the Pandemic Event visa, officially known as Subclass 408, effective from February 2024. This decision will have significant implications for a substantial number of international students and temporary workers, who are now scrambling to find alternative ways to remain in the country.

The Pandemic Event visa was initially introduced during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Its primary purpose was to address labour shortages and provide support to international students who found themselves unable to leave Australia due to travel restrictions. Under this visa, students were granted an additional 12 months to reside in the country if their existing visas had expired, along with the flexibility to travel to and from Australia multiple times during their stay.

The announcement to terminate the Subclass 408 visa was jointly made by the Home Affairs Minister, Clare O'Neil, and Immigration Minister, Andrew Giles. They stated that this decision was driven by the fact that the circumstances necessitating the visa's existence no longer prevail.

As a measure to ensure visa integrity and a smooth transition, applications for the Pandemic Event visa will be accepted exclusively from individuals who are already on this visa, beginning September 2, 2023.

Starting from this point, new applicants will be granted a six-month visa and will be required to pay an application fee of AUD 405. This change aims to restrict the use of the visa to those with a "genuine need to remain and contribute to Australia."

Under the new regulations, individuals currently holding a valid Pandemic Event visa will maintain their lawful status until their existing visa expires. However, those who are unable to secure an alternative visa option will be expected to depart Australia when their visa expires.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil remarked, "The Pandemic Event visa played a crucial role in Australia's visa system during the pandemic. Many individuals on temporary visas made significant contributions to Australia during this challenging period. We are offering an opportunity for those holding a Pandemic Event visa to explore other visa options."

This decision follows the recent actions of the Anthony Albanese government, which included the termination of several COVID-era measures, such as the removal of unlimited work hours for international students and the revocation of work exemptions for Working Holiday visa holders.

As the deadline for the discontinuation of the Pandemic Event visa approaches, international students and temporary workers are left with the task of navigating the evolving immigration landscape in Australia, seeking alternative means to continue their stay in the country.

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