COVID visas are expected to be phased out from July 1st with work hour limitations for international students
The government has indicated that the Subclass 408 visa was created to help persons who were stuck in Australia owing to border closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; as such, applicants may be asked to make an application for a different form of visa.
In response to a question about the Subclass 408 visa's expiration date, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) stated that the government is evaluating its continued suitability.
This includes consideration of an end date for the visa's (Subclass 408) eligibility and a proposed strategy for reverting to normal operations.
The DHA added that pandemic event visa holders may be eligible to apply for a variety of permanent and transitory visas to remain in Australia.
Currently, transitory visa holders in Australia, including student visa holders, are eligible for a Subclass 408 visa if their current visa (with work rights) expires in less than 90 days or expired within 28 days prior to application.
Applicants for a Subclass 408 visa are ordinarily permitted to remain in Australia for up to 12 months; however, the pandemic event visa for Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa holders includes a two-year period of stay.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Subclass 408 visa was introduced, permitting individuals to remain in Australia for an additional 12 months if their visas had expired and they were working or intending to work here.
Due to persistent labour and skill constraints, the DHA has implemented a less restrictive policy on visa condition 8107 – work limitation for Subclass 408 visa holders, allowing them to work without restrictions.
This closure will impact many, including international students. Ms. Dua stated that they will be required to pay for a different visa to remain in Australia, whereas the COVID-19 pandemic event visa was free to obtain.
In addition, she noted that many international students will be required to perform no more than 48 hours per two-week period.
Geethikanjani Naraharisetty stated that the Subclass 408 visa provided her with the flexibility to work an unlimited number of hours at a time when the cost of living was rising. Geethikanjani Naraharisetty is in Australia on a Subclass 408 visa at the present time.
This November, my 408 visa will expire, and if I return on a student visa, I will be subject to work-hour restrictions... She added, "I intend to apply for permanent residency, but until then I will have to seek alternative means to remain in the country."
The visa news comes at a time when international students will be limited to 48 hours of work per two-week period beginning on 1 July.
Hriti Jerath, an international student from Melbourne, stated that she was concerned about the future and making preparations. Hriti Jerath is an international student enrolled at Monash University in Melbourne at the present time.
She stated that her weekly income would be reduced by nearly $600 as a result of the limit on working hours. As a student here, this will have a significant effect on my existence. My parents must now send me additional funds.
In addition to other migration-related reforms, the federal government presented the 2023 Budget on May 9, which confirmed the working hour limit for student visa holders.
Until December 31, however, the labour limit will not apply to international students working in senior care.
