Temporary Visa Cancellations Based on Biosecurity Grounds List Updated 2021
With the new year has come new rules and regulations for visas and given the on-going COVID-19 pandemic even more than usual rules and regulations are being adjusted all the time. As of January 1st 2021 one updated regulation in response to the pandemic is temporary visa cancellations based on biosecurity grounds.
This means breaching such rules as failure to respond to questions or inquiries made by biosecurity officers or providing false or misleading information to biosecurity officers. In the case of the current pandemic this would relate to contact tracing and other protocols set up as a response to COVID-19.
Biosecurity are measures taken by governments to protect humans or animals against disease or harmful biological agents. These measures are generally enforced by customs agents, agriculture workers and scientists.
As Australia is an island nation with a unique ecosystem they prioritise biosecurity practices to preserve their distinctive natural make up and to stop the spread and dangers of new diseases and viruses such as COVID-19. They are proud to be “one of the few countries in the world to remain free from the world’s most severe pests and diseases.”
COVID-19 as a Biosecurity Issue
A newly identified coronavirus COVID-19, has caused a worldwide pandemic of respiratory illness. The COVID-19 virus is a new virus related to the same family of viruses as the Extreme Acute Respiratory Syndrome and certain common colds. Due to this reason, COVID-19 is classified as a biosecurity issue for most countries in the world especially Australia.
Biosecurity is a vital part of the Australian government’s attempts to deter, react and recover from pests and diseases that endanger the economy and the environment. The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment administers the Biosecurity Act and various other acts in order to protect Australia’s animal, plant and human health status. Hence, breaching biosecurity to lie to contact tracers can get your temporary visa cancelled.
Updated List of Temporary Visa Cancellations Based on Biosecurity Ground
The following complete list of temporary visas that can be cancelled on biosecurity grounds:
- Subclass 400 (Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist)) visa;
- Subclass 403 (Temporary Work (International Relations)) visa;
- Subclass 407 (Training) visa;
- Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) visa;
- Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) visa;
- Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) visa;
- Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa;
- Subclass 476 (Skilled—Recognised Graduate) visa;
- Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa;
- Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa;
- Subclass 500 (Student) visa;
- Subclass 590 (Student Guardian) visa;
- Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa;
- Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority) visa;
- Subclass 651 (eVisitor) visa;
- Subclass 676 (Tourist) visa;
- Subclass 771 (Transit) visa; and
- Subclass 988 (Maritime Crew) visa.
Consequences of Temporary Visa Cancellations
If you receive a temporary visa cancellation under these circumstances you should be aware that the possibilities are possible deportation and or detainment if the situation is not resolved timely or you do not leave the country. You will receive notification from the home department if you have had your visa cancelled for any reason.
You may be able to obtain a bridging visa and you will be placed under a section 48 bar with which under very few exceptions you still have to leave Australia once it expires. If you don’t not have a bridging visa then you would be considered unlawful at that point.
This will also result in a 3 year ban from being able to apply for a new visa or being able to enter the country.
You are able request an appeal through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) however this is a very costly and time consuming process. This is why it would be best to familiarise yourself with any rules and regulations regarding Biosecurity in relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Still not sure how this can affect you? Speak to us; We are here to help!
We understand that applying for a visa to Australia is certainly very complicated. It is even more challenging during the COVID-19 Pandemic especially with new temporary visa cancellations in place. Our visa specialists at ONEderland Consulting will help you assess your visa options. We have a 98% success rate and one of the most highly recommended migration agents in Australia. Read our 4.9* score customer reviews.
We are complex visa specialists. As registered Australian migration agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are regulated in our professional practice and bound by the profession’s Code of Conduct issued by the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Take the first step and get in touch with us. Our migration agents are professional, honest and speak various languages such as Mandarin/ Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Japanese, Polish, German and Russian.
Contact us through email at [email protected] or via phone on 1300 827 159. Alternatively, you may book your consultation online and it is 100% refundable if you become our client.
