Omicron bites: Travel ban for nine southern African countries; tourist bubble with Japan and South Korea remains from 1 Dec 2021

Omicron bites: Travel ban for nine southern African countries; tourist bubble with Japan and South Korea remains from 1 Dec 2021

An outbreak of the now named omicron variant has prompted Australia to shut its borders to nine southern African countries for the time being and quarantining has restarted in some states and territories. A travel bubble with South Korea and Japan will begin from 1 December 2021 adding to the existing bubbles with Singapore and New Zealand.

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457/482: Age caps lifted for 457 visa holders for PR, Short-term stream pathway for 482 visa holders; Switzerland added to WHM visa program

457/482: Age caps lifted for 457 visa holders for PR, Short-term stream pathway for 482 visa holders; Switzerland added to WHM visa program

The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Aff​airs announced a raft of changes today that will see the age cap for legacy 457 visa holders lifted and a pathway to permanent visas for 482 visa holders in the Short-term steam. Major benefits to 485 visas were also announced. Switzerland will be added to the WHM program from 1 January 2022.

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BREAKING: Vaccinated temporary visa holders allowed to enter Australia from 1 December 2021, visitor and bridging visa holders absent

BREAKING: Vaccinated temporary visa holders allowed to enter Australia from 1 December 2021, visitor and bridging visa holders absent

Temporary visa holders will be able to enter Australia from 1 December 2021 without the need for a travel exemption provided they are fully vaccinated or have a medical exemption. Notable exclusions from this major announcement are visitor visas and bridging visas.

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482 visas: SE Asian countries to be exempt from LMT; Some prospective marriage visas extended to 31 Dec 2022

482 visas: SE Asian countries to be exempt from LMT; Some prospective marriage visas extended to 31 Dec 2022

A new instrument heralds the coming of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which will add a few Southeast Asian countries to the list of nations exempt from labour market testing for a 482 visa. Subclass 300 – Prospective Marriage visa holders who held this visa on 15 September 2021, will have it extended to 31 December 2022 to afford them time to enter Australia and get married.

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