Graduate Visa 485 Extension – Frequently Asked Question

Australia is a country known for providing great post-study opportunities to overseas students. It is also one of the safest and most liveable countries globally. So, after you graduate from an Australian university, you can decide to stay back and explore further opportunities. Only one thing you will need to do is to obtain a Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485. While holding this visa, you may take a full-time job for an Australian employer or choose to pursue further studies.

This visa will also help you stay in Australia for 18 months to 4 years, depending on the stream you have applied for and your academic qualification.

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As per a recent announcement by the Australian Government, certain holders of this visa will get a Graduate Visa 485 extension up to 30 September 2022. This rule came into effect on 18 February 2022. Eligible candidates will receive notification about the extension directly from the Department of Home Affairs.

This step will immensely help holders of Temporary Graduate Visa 485 impacted by the international travel restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. They can enter or stay in Australia and work until they receive a replacement Temporary Graduate Visa. The Australian Government knows how valuable these visa holders are for the Australian market growth and has taken this measure.

Check Out The Following Frequently Asked Questions To Understand 485 Graduate Visa Extension

Q1. How Do I Find Out if I Am Eligible?

The 485 Visa extension eligibility criteria are as follows:

• Your Temporary Graduate Visa 485 should have been valid on 15 December 2021.
• Your current 485 Visa must expire before 30 September 2022.
• You must have been present in Australia when the Department granted you the visa.
• You should have been outside the country sometime between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Department has not canceled the visa since 15 December 2021.
• You must not hold any other substantive visa since 15 December 2021.

For visa enlivening, you have to meet the following eligibility requirements.

• You must have held a 485 Visa that expired between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021.
• You should have been in Australia at the time of the visa grant.
• You should have been outside the country sometime between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Department of Home Affairs has not canceled your visa.
• You have not been granted any other substantive visa.

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Q2. How Much Does It Cost to Apply?

Currently, there is no specific 485 Visa extension fee, and you will receive it automatically. You will not even need to contact the Immigration Department.

The visa extension will also include the family members you had added to your original Temporary Graduate Visa application.

Q3. Is the Australian Government Bending Some Requirements in Light of COVID-19?

Many Temporary Graduate Visa holders have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions imposed on international travel. They can now apply for a replacement Temporary Graduate Visa. On 18 January 2022, the Government of Australia announced that the 485 Visa of these individuals would get an extension up to 30 September 2022.

As the Department of Home Affairs has announced, the replacement Temporary Graduate Visa applications will open on 1 July 2022. The best thing is that this stream will allow you to stay for the same duration as your original 485 Visa. It applies to both current and former holders.

Q5. Can Members of the Family Be Included in the Replacement Temporary Graduate Visa Application?

As per the rules set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs, you are allowed to add any family members to your replacement Temporary Graduate Visa application. If you want to add any new family member, you can do that without restrictions.

Q6. What about a 485 Visa Replacement Stream?

If you want to know about the 485 Visa replacement stream, go through the following points.
Many holders of the Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485 were affected by the restrictions imposed on international travel borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those current and former holders can now apply for a replacement Temporary Graduate Visa.
Note that the condition applies to those 485 Visa holders who failed to enter Australia between 1 February 2020 and 1 December 2021.
With the replacement visa, you can stay for the same period as the original visa, depending on your academic qualification. Note that it is regardless of how long you have stayed in Australia while holding the original visa.
You can apply onshore or offshore.
You have to pay the full visa application charge.
Applications will begin on 1 July 2022.

Also Read: What Are The English Requirements For Graduate Visa 485?

Q7. My Graduate Visa 485 Expired While I Was outside Australia. What Are My Options?

The eligibility requirements for the replacement Temporary Graduate Visa are not yet completely specified. However, you will get a high preference if you were outside Australia between 1 February 2020 and 1 December 2021.

Q8. How Much Rebates Was Announced on the 485 Visa Extension?

On 19 January 2022, the Australian prime minister announced that all international students coming to Australia from 20 January 2022 would receive a rebate of $630 on their visa application fee. This condition has been continuing since 20 January and will continue for four weeks more.

As the Department had announced, they would do the rebate themselves.

Q9. Can Anything Happen if My Family Members Were Not Included in My Original Temporary Graduate Visa 485 Application?

You can include new family members in your replacement Temporary Graduate Visa application.

Q10. I Studied for a Masters’s By Coursework. I Was Granted a 485 Visa Before 1 September 2021. Will My Visa Length Be Changed from 2 to 3 years?

Unfortunately, it cannot be done. The duration of the new visa will apply to only Post-Study Work Stream visas issued after 1 December 2021.

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Get Professional Assistance From Migration Agent Adelaide

A registered migration agent in Adelaide can be the best person to help you with your application. Because this measure is entirely new, you may feel confused with all the details. The Australian migration procedure is also pretty complicated. So, it will be better to contact an efficient migration agent Adelaide.

ISA Migrations have served their clients over a long period. They work with some of the top migration professionals in Australia. Once you approach them, they will assign you their best visa agent Adelaide to receive quality guidance.