485 visa replacement

Fantastic news for those Subclass 485 visa holders, who was stuck overseas during Australian border closer.

Government announced the COVID-19 replacement stream visa for those Temporary Graduate (subclass-485) visa holders impacted by the Australian travel restrictions. This means, people who could not stay in Australia for the full period allowed by their previous Temporary Graduate (subclass-485) visa due to Covid-19 disruption will be able to apply for this replacement stream visa.

The replacement Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa will recognise the commitment made by international students to Australia. It will acknowledge the disruption to plans that COVID-19 and the associated travel restrictions caused.

ThisCOVID-19 replacement stream will be available for new applications from mid-2022.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Currently hold, or have held a Temporary Graduate visa that expired on or after 1 February 2020; and
• have been outside Australia at any time between 1 February 2020 and 15​ December 2021.
• Department of Home affairs still determining details on the application requirements. Itis likely that applicants will need to supply some supporting documents to apply for this visa stream.

Duration of this visa:

Applicants will receive the full validity of their initial Temporary Graduate visa. This is determined by the level of their qualification.

Cost

As successful applicants will be granted the full validity, the full visa application charge will apply. There is also a charge for each family member who applies for the visa with them.

Stay

Usually between 18 months and 5 years.

You will receive the same grant period as your previous visa, with the exception of:

If you were previously granted a Post Study Work visa for 2 years as a result your Master of Coursework qualification, you will now receive 3 years

If you were previously granted a Graduate Work Stream visa for 18 months, you will now receive 2 years. This is a temporary measure. Applicants should check the current period that applies when they lodge their application. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for 5 years.

Include your family members:

​Applicants can include members of the family unit in their application when they apply. This includes family members that weren’t included in their original Temporary Graduate visa.

Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485/replacement-stream