Study in Australia even with the Travel Ban

Overseas students that plan on study overseas in Australia would have to wait for the international borders to re-open for temporary visa holders.

As of now, an individual cannot come to Australia unless they are – [1] in an exempt category, or [2] have been granted an individual exemption from the current travel restrictions.

While temporary visa holders in Australia are able to depart the country at any time, they will generally not be allowed to return to Australia.

Those not in an exempt category might request an individual exemption to Australia’s travel restrictions.   Most of the travel exemption requests for coming to Australia are usually finalized within 7 days. Nevertheless, some complex requests might take comparatively longer.

International students are being given the option for pursuing their courses ‘online’ by the Australian universities. Some overseas students, however, are finding other ways of entering the Land Down Under.

Unable, as of now, to travel to Australia as an international student, an increasing number of prospective international students are exploring alternate ways of entering the country.

Many are looking at ways of acquiring their Australian permanent residence visa instead. Later making use of their Australia PR visa for going to Australia and pursuing their further studies.

By completing their studies in their home country and gaining some amount of work experience, many of such prospective international students might become eligible for applying for their Australian permanent residence.

What are the Australia PR visa options available?

Common pathways to gaining Australian permanent residency include –   [1] Work-stream permanent visas Such as, Employer Nomination Scheme visa [subclass 186].   [2] Family-stream permanent visas Such as, Partner visa [subclasses 309 and 100] etc.   [3] Business or investor-stream permanent visas Such as, Business Innovation and Investment [Permanent] visa [subclass 888].   While there are many different options available for Australia immigration, always ensure that you check the conditions attached with your visa.   If an Australian visa has a condition attached of “no further stay”, then that visa holder cannot remain within Australia beyond the period specified for being able to apply for their Australia PR.

As of now, the following categories of individuals are exempt from the travel restrictions and can enter Australia, without there being the requirement of securing an individual exemption.

Categories exempt from Australia travel restrictions

Citizens of Australia

Permanent residents of Australia

Immediate family members of citizens or permanent residents of Australia

New Zealand citizens usually resident in Australia

Immediate family members of New Zealand citizens usually resident in Australia

Diplomats accredited to Australia

Immediate family members of diplomats accredited to Australia

Individuals transiting Australia for 72 hours or less

Airline crew, maritime crew [including marine pilots]

Individuals recruited under the Australian Government approved Seasonal Worker Program or Pacific Labour Scheme

Individuals holding Business Innovation and Investment [subclass 188] visas

Due evidence of meeting any 1 of the above-mentioned categories would have to be carried at the time of travelling to Australia.

Individual exemptions – on a case-to-case basis – might be granted by the Commissioner of the Australian Border Force to individuals not eligible for the exempted categories.   As per the Department of Home Affairs, individual exemption is also available for “a student completing year 11 and 12, with endorsement from the federal Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) and; support from the relevant Australian State or Territory government health authority and education department.”   Similarly, a student in their final 2 years of study of a medical, nursing, dental or allied health profession university degree, might be able to apply for an individual exemption, provided they “have evidence of a confirmed placement in an Australian hospital or medical practice which begins within the next two months”.

Request for an exemption can be made online. Proper evidence towards supporting the claim will be required.

An exemption will have to be applied for a minimum of 2 weeks before the date of intended travel to Australia.

If you are looking to Work, Study, Invest, Visit, or Migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No. 1 Immigration & Visa Company.

If you found this blog engaging, you may also like …

Top 10 most-accepting countries for migrants