Australia to End Special Visa Program Introduced During the Pandemic

 The special visa program was established in 2020 to assist international students unable to return to their home countries due to the pandemic and to address labor shortages following the closure of international borders. Under this program, visa holders had the opportunity to work unrestricted hours for 12 months, include eligible family members in their application, and make multiple trips to and from Australia during their stay. Recent data from the Department of Home Affairs revealed that nearly 60,000 international students and temporary workers took advantage of this permit to extend their stay in Australia, even though the circumstances that led to the creation of this visa program have largely dissipated. Between June 2022 and March, the department issued 65,859 pandemic visas, including nearly 27,000 in the first three months of the year. Immigration Minister Andrew Giles noted that the pandemic event visa was a crucial component of Australia's visa system during the pandemic, with many temporary visa holders making significant contributions to the country during that period. He also emphasized that individuals holding a pandemic event visa have the option to explore other visa possibilities or depart the country if they wish to do so.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil, in agreement with Giles, highlighted that the unlimited work hours for international students and work exemptions for working holiday visa holders, implemented during the pandemic's exceptional circumstances, are no longer relevant. These measures, along with others introduced by the government during the pandemic, are being phased out. Giles further noted that the benefits provided to pandemic event visa holders had a direct impact on net overseas migration, which continues to rebound post-pandemic and is expected to contribute to population growth returning to pre-pandemic levels. Migration experts have observed that the visa was being exploited by international students in Australia who were using it as a means to stay in the country and work. The program will no longer accept applications starting in February.