At the time the visa is granted, some categories of visas required applicants to be outside of Australia. Particularly applicants for family visas who have come to Australia, the Department is aware that covid-19 travel restrictions are affecting visa applicants.
When considering visa applications the Department is taking disruption arising from the pandemic into account. Including any current requirement to be offshore at time of visa grant, visa applicants are being given additional time to complete the necessary requirements. Contact migration agent in Sydney to discuss your options to remain in Australia lawfully.
To allow some Family stream visas, to be granted while the visa applicant is in Australia which have been applied for outside Australia, changes are intended to come into effect on 27 February 2021. Because of covid-19 travel restrictions this temporary concession would be for certain applicants who are not able to travel offshore and are in Australia to be granted the visa.
For the following Partner and Child visa subclass the concession would apply to eligible applicants:
Another concession to allow visas to be granted during the covid-19 period to applicants in Australia would also be extended to eligible parent visa applicants. This concession would apply to the following visa and is intended to commence on 24 March 2021.
By these amendments current processing timeframes for parent visa application would not be impacted.
The department will work with you to give you additional time until you can travel safely or until your visa can be granted while you are in Australia, if as a result of covid-19 travel restrictions your are unable to depart Australia but the department have advised you that you need to be outside Australia for us to grant your parent visa.
During pandemic the government is continually reviewing arrangements for visas. If your visa has expired or is about to expire consult migration agent in Sydney to discuss your options to remain in Australia lawfully.