Final closure of the Pandemic Event visa – What are your Next Steps?

​​The subclass 408 (Pandemic event visa) visa closed to new applicants from 1 February 2024. 

If your Pandemic Event visa is about to expire and you are looking for alternative visa options here are some alternatives to consider:

  • Employer-Sponsored Visas: These visas allow you to continue working in Australia with either your current employer or a new one. Options include the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482), offering a stay of two to four years with potential for permanent residency after two years.
  • General Skilled Migration Visas: Score at least 65 points on the point test and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Department of Home Affairs. If invited, you can apply for a relevant visa under this program.
  • Regional Employer-Sponsored Visas: If you’re working in regional Australia, consider the Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional visa (Subclass 494). It allows you to live, work, or study in regional areas for up to five years, with a pathway to permanent residency.

 

These options offer opportunities for continued stay and work in Australia beyond your current visa with a pathway to Australian permanent residency. There are also other temporary short-stay visa options for exploration. 

We recommend reaching out to our team at Stone Group Lawyers to help you navigate through these options so you can take proactive steps based on your circumstances to secure your stay or work in Australia. 

For more information and eligibility assessments in relation to visa options and pathways, contact Stone Group Lawyers today to book an initial consultation.

The above article published by Stone Group Lawyers is intended as general information only and is not legal advice on any subject matter. By viewing the above article, the reader understands there is no solicitor-client relationship between the reader and the article published. The above article should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a legal practitioner, and readers are urged to consult Stone Group Lawyers on any legal queries concerning a specific situation.