Australia Scraps Visa for International Students Who Came During Pandemic
Australia is set to discontinue the Pandemic Event (subclass 408) visa, which was extended to international students who arrived during the COVID-19 pandemic, effective February 2024. Originally introduced in 2020 to provide assistance to students stranded in Australia due to travel restrictions, the visa granted an extra year of stay and unrestricted work privileges. Authorities argue that closing the visa is essential to prevent misuse and ensure it serves its intended purpose, as concerns have been raised about its exploitation by individuals not genuinely pursuing education.
This move is part of a broader strategy by the Australian government to reinforce its visa regulations. Simultaneously, recent changes have revoked COVID-era provisions, including unrestricted work hours for international students and employment exceptions for Working Holiday visa holders. These measures, while aimed at fostering equity and organization within Australia’s visa system, may inadvertently create challenges for international students and temporary workers seeking to extend their stay in the country.