While Australian Federal Government announced the new JobKeeper payment, we are here at StudyIn understand that Temporary Visa holders are left feeling concerned about their future.
We understand that there are potentially hundreds of thousands of temporary visa holders who will miss out to the stimulus payment.
For all our clients we had gathered information on which of the temporary visa categories qualify for financial support?
VISITOR VISAS
If you need new visitor visa ask for work rights as you don’t have guaranteed access to government financial support but you may also be eligible for assistance if you’re a temporary visa holder, It solely depends on what payment you apply for.
Advice: get in touch with consular support or your embassy if you desire to go home. Try to get advise from Immigration Consultant if you can get work rights.
STUDYING AND TRAINING VISAS
Most Students and Trainees don’t get an access to government financial support.
Australian Government announced relaxation of the 40 hours per fortnight work limitation for International Students.
Advice: Seek support from your educational institution, check with tax office, your superannuation fund and family in your home country if you can get some support.
FAMILY AND PARTNER VISAS
Possible access to government financial support. You are entitled to Medicare so your health should be covered.
The government has removed the newly arrived residents waiting period for JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance, Austudy, Parenting Payment Single and Partnered, Farm Household Allowance and Special Benefit. The lifting of the waiting period is already in effect.
If you’re the primary carer of a child, you may also be eligible for some payments.
Advice: Circumstances may differ depending on your partner’s conditions, so discuss further with your migration agent.
WORKING AND SKILLED VISAS
No guaranteed access to government financial support.
There is also financial assistance for people helping a person with disability and there may be case-to-case exemptions as advocates continue to lobby the government for change.
Advice: get in touch with your registered migration agent or lawyer for more information.
REFUGEE AND HUMANITARIAN VISAS
Only if you are now a permanent resident can you qualify for access to government financial support. But there is a crisis payment option, which is a one-off payment if you are going through difficult or extreme circumstances.
OTHER VISAS
If you are on a temporary visa, of any kind, visit the Australian Government’s Services Australia website for more information.
What is the Department of Home Affairs advice for visa holders now?
- You should apply for a new visa before your current visa expires
- If your visa has less than 2 months validity remaining and you have No Further Stay condition attached, you can request to waive this condition
- You will be given additional time to apply for a new visa once the travel restrictions are lifted
- Exceptions/concessions can be made on a case-by-case basis.
- If you currently have a visa that expired and you are overseas, you need to apply for another visa (bridging visas can not be granted if you are outside Australia)
- You can check your visa status via VEVO. If you can’t access VEVO, you can still access your visa conditions online using ImmiAccount
MEDICAL ARRANGMENTS BUPA
Visa Services and other Visa Medical Services clinics continue to operate in Australia Permanent residents of Australia may return to Australia if they are currently overseas but will be required to undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities in their port of arrival.
Is more support expected to come for visa holders?
The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison calling for the Federal Government to urgently extend stimulus package support to some categories of visa holders who will be left unsupported amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Everything is so confusing already … we are making sense of it and making sure that people are not left behind,” a spokesperson for FECCCA said.
If you are still not sure what to do cal book appointment with our Migration Consultant via our website.
