Can I extend my Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa?
Immigration News
âOn 18 February 2022, certain eligible Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders will have their visas extended or enlivened to 30 September 2022. Visa holders eligible for an extension will be notified directly by the Department.
This interim measure allows eligible Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders who were affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions to enter, or remain in,â Australia to live and work until they can apply for and be granted a replacement Temporary Graduate visa.
The Government recognises the valuable contribution of temporary visa holders and acknowledges the disruption caused by COVID-19.â
Eligibility for Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa extension
To be eligible for a Temporary Graduate visa extension:
- visa holders must have held a Temporary Graduate visa on 15 December 2021
- the current visa expires before 30 September 2022
- the primary visa holder was in Australia at time of the visa grant
- the primary visa holder has been outside Australia for any period between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 (inclusive)
- the visa has not been cancelled since 15 December 2021
- the holder has not been granted a further substantive visa since 15 December 2021.
To be eligible for visa enlivening:
- visa holders must have held a Temporary Graduate visa that visa expired between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 inclusive
- the primary visa holder was in Australia at time of grant
- the primary holder of the visa has been outside Australia for any period between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 inclusive
- the visa was not cancelled
- the visa holder has not been granted a further substantive visa.
Free of Charge to extend Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visas
The visa extension is free and will occur automatically. You do not need to contact the Department.
The visa extension will include family members that were included in the original Temporary Graduate visa.
COVID-19 Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) replacement stream visaâ
Applications for the COVID-19 Temporary Graduate replacement stream visa open on 1 July 2022.
The Temporary Graduate replacement stream visa will give current and former visa holders impacted by COVID-19 travel restrictions the same length of stay as their original visa.
The new settings extend measures to protect the post-study work rights of international students, as well as extend the temporary graduate visa from two to three years for Masters by Coursework graduates.
The new visa settings also extend existing measures for students and temporary, by recognising the time spent studying offshore, online towards meeting the requirements for qualifying for a temporary graduate visa.
Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visas changes 2022
Changes to visa policy include:
• Australia will increase the length of stay on the Temporary Graduate visa from two (2) to three (3) years for Masters by Coursework graduates, matching the provisions for Masters by Research graduates.
• Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector graduates will also receive a two (2) year Temporary Graduate visa.
• Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders who have been unable to travel to Australia as a result of COVID-19 international border restrictions will be able to apply for a replacement visa. This will allow current and former Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders whose visas expired on or after 1 February 2020 to re-apply for a new subclass 485 visa of the same duration as their original visa.
These new visa settings demonstrate Australia’s continued commitment to improving policy settings to meet the needs of students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you have any questions regarding your 485 visa, please contact us or book a consultation with one of our experienced migration professionals and we can help you with your application!
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Credit
Department of Home Affairs
For more information see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485
