Department of home affairs update exemption list for visa holders

Australia government is steadily preparing the economy to recover whilst placing health and safety as highest priority for Australian residents.

A recent update announcement by the Department of Home Affairs have now announced that holders of a subclass 188 visa are automatically exempt from travel restrictions and can enter Australia, and do not need to obtain an individual travel exemption. This is good news for SC188 Business and Investment Visa holders.

You will, however, need to carry evidence that you are a 188-visa holder when travelling (i.e. please travel with a hard copy of your visa grant letter). Additional evidence may be requested.

Please also be aware that you will still need to spend 14 days in government approved mandatory quarantine from the date arrival when travelling internationally to Australia at your own expense.

Please read here for further details on mandatory quarantine.

CURRENT LIST PERSONS WHO DO NOT NEED TO APPLY FOR AN EXEMPTION

You are automatically exempt from the travel restrictions and can enter Australia (without obtaining an individual exemption) if you are:

• an Australian citizen
• a permanent resident of Australia
• an immediate family member of an Australian citizen or permanent resident*
• a New Zealand citizen usually resident in Australia and their immediate family members
• a diplomat accredited to Australia (holding a subclass 995 visa)
• a traveller transiting Australia for 72 hours or less
• airline crew
• maritime crew including marine pilots
• recruited under the Government approved Seasonal Worker Program or Pacific Labour Scheme
• holder of a Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188) visa

You need to carry evidence that you meet one of the above categories when travelling. Additional evidence may be requested. For more information, please visit here

The Australian government has also announced a cap on international arrivals of Brisbane which is limit of 500 passenger arrivals per week until 24 October 2020. Due to this, there may be limited seats and availability on international flights back into the state.

All travellers arriving in Australia, including Australian citizens, must quarantine for 14 days at a designated facility, such as a hotel in their port of arrival.​ See Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for travellers. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. To find out more about quarantine requirements, contact the relevant state or territory government health department.

You cannot come to Australia unless you are in an exempt category or you have been granted an individual exemption to the current travel restrictions.

The majority of travel exemption requests to come to Australia are finalised within 7 days, but some complex requests may take longer.

Need to know if you are eligible for a Subclass 188 Business and Innovation Visa? Email us now at info@mygration.com.au

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