FREE AUSTRALIA VISA DUE COVID-19
WHO CAN APPLY?
COST
YOU MUST?
PROCESSING TIME?
If you are working in a critical sector – up to 12 months
If you are not working in a critical sector – up to 3 months
Free: Applicants must select ‘yes’ to the visa application charge concession question in the application and select the ‘Nil VAC’ option.
- apply online
- be in Australia
- maintain adequate health insurance during your stay in Australia
Processing times are not available for this visa.
Applicants working in a critical sector must:
- have evidence from an employer of your employment or an offer of employment and that an Australian citizen or permanent resident cannot fill the position
- hold a substantive visa that expires in 90 days or less, or your last substantive visa expired 28 days or less ago
Applicants whose departure is delayed by COVID-19 travel restrictions must:
- tell us why the restrictions prevent your departure
- hold a substantive visa that expires in 28 days or less, or your last substantive visa expired less than 28 days ago
Have a valid visa or your last substantive visa expired less than 28 days ago
If you are applying for the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa because you are currently unable to depart Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, you must have 28 days or less remaining on your current visa or your last substantive visa expired less than 28 days ago
If you are applying for the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa to remain in Australia to work in a critical sector, you must have 90 days or less remaining on your current visa or your last substantive visa expired less than 28 days ago
If you are applying for the visa to work or continue working in a critical sector (such as agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care or child care) you must provide evidence of your ongoing employment or offer of employment which:
- confirms the dates of your employment
- confirms which critical sector (such as agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care or child care) you are working in
- provides evidence that an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident cannot fill the position
Evidence could include payslips, a contract and/or a letter from your employer.
Be able to support yourself and any dependants
You must have enough money to support yourself and any dependent family members who travel to Australia with you.
Be a genuine temporary entrant
You can’t use our temporary visa program to maintain ongoing residence in Australia.
The genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement helps us to make sure that you use temporary visas correctly.
We must be satisfied that you have a genuine intention to stay here temporarily.
When assessing your application, we will consider:
- your situation
- your immigration history
- compliance with visa conditions
- any other relevant matter