A total of 2.4 million temporary visa holders, who are living and working in Australia might need to extend their stay as the majority of countries have closed their borders to halt the spread of coronavirus.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs in cooperation with the Australian Border Force has taken further steps to handle the temporary visa issue.
“Any visa application will be assessed considering the COVID-19 enhanced border measures and an applicant’s circumstances,” a Department spokesperson pointed out.
According to the Department’s spokesperson, applications for a new visa have to be made before the expiry date of their visas, but if the current visa’s date has already expired, they have to make a request to waive this condition, VisaGuide.World reports.
However, the Department did not clarify whether foreigners who obtain a temporary visa and currently have no job and can’t return to their homes, could they be eligible to access the benefits of the Centrelink, which is the Department of Human Services master program of the Government.
Any non-citizen who wants to continue to live in Australia, can provide information on the Department’s website and apply for another visa, the Department of Home Affairs highlighted.
The Migration Council of Australia is concerned about multiply entry tourist visa holders, and those on temporary work visas, who are left at the risk of breaking the laws of migration.
Labour is also concerned about the effect of Coronavirus on Australia’s temporary visa holders workforce, stressing that the majority of them are ineligible to get financial support or medical treatment, but still need to continue to work.
“They could be left with no choice but to unknowingly spread the virus as they are forced to keep working or keep seeking work,” a Labor spokesperson pointed out.
Up to 600,000 visa holders come from New Zealand, who belong to special category visas.
Scott Morrison, Australian Prime Minister, said that the travel ban will not apply to residents of New Zealand, while those who are currently in Australia “are not eligible for social security payments in the event that they lose their job.”
Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide said that now exist additional resources for “No Further Stay” waiver requests on visas that have the condition attached to them, and these conditions can help the visa-holders in Australia.
There are 814 cases of persons infected with COVID-19 in Australia, while seven persons have died so far.