Closure Of The Pandemic Event Visa: Key Information And Next Steps

As of February 1, 2024, the Pandemic Event Visa, a subclass of the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) in Australia, has been officially closed to new applicants.

Initially introduced in April 2020, the Pandemic Event visa served the purpose of allowing temporary visa holders to legally stay in Australia during the closure of the country's borders, addressing labour shortages in critical sectors.

With Australia's borders now open and the temporary visa holder numbers having returned to pre-COVID-19 levels, the Pandemic Event visa is deemed unnecessary and, consequently, has been closed.

The closure of the Pandemic Event visa is anticipated to contribute to the effective management of the migration system. This move aligns with the intention to establish well-regulated visa pathways and restore the usual flow of temporary migrants in and out of Australia. Visa holders are advised to ensure their continued lawful presence in Australia if they intend to stay.

For individuals who submitted visa applications before February 1, 2024, the Department assures that the processing of these applications will continue as usual.