The Australian Government is offering a new visa path for workers of overseas businesses wishing to relocate to Australia.
Australia's successful handling of the pandemic is well-known. As the world battles repeating waves of Covid-19 and economic downturn, our nation enjoys relative stability.
The Department of Home Affairs is seizing on the opportunity to attract business to Australia. A new visa path has been created under the Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa in the Australian Government Endorsed Events (AGEE) stream.
The AGEE stream gives the Department flexibility to respond to short-term needs in the migration program. The subclass 408 Visa in the Covid-19 Pandemic event is another popular solution for visa holders who are already in Australia.
Effective 27 February 2021, a new 408 AGEE visa path is available. The new 'event' is referred to as the 'Post COVID-19 economic recovery event' (PCER). As the name indicates, PCER is defined as the period of recovery from the economic effects of COVID-19 in Australia.
This visa is suitable for senior employees of overseas businesses wishing to relocate to Australia. Applicants in the PCER path will be required to:
be employed full time as an essential staff member of a business that is relocating to Australia and will assist in Australia’s response to the economic effects of Covid-19;
assist with the establishment of the business’ operations in Australia;
make an application for a Subclass 408 visa under the PCER event between 27 February 2021 and 30 June 2022; and
have not previously been granted a Subclass 408 visa in the PCER event.
The business will need to be approved for coordinated facilitation from the Australian Government’s Global Business and Talent Attraction Taskforce.
A letter of endorsement from the employer is required. It should provide a range of details about the business, the applicant's salary and their employment with the business.
If the owner of the business has applied for a Global Talent (subclass 858) visa, the letter should provide the application's Transaction Reference Number (TRN).
The requirement for the business to relocate to Australia suggests that merely establishing an office or branch in Australia is not sufficient. The company's main place of business should relocate to Australia. This aspect is yet to be clarified at this early stage.
The visa period can be up to the end date of the PCER event - 30 June 2022. Applicants who are granted the visa are likely to be eligible for a travel exemption by application.
Who can benefit from the 408 PCER event visa?
- Overseas businesses who prefer to avoid or postpone the higher costs associated with sponsoring the worker for subclass 482 (TSS) or Subclass 494 (Employer Sponsored Regional) visas.
- Applicants who do not meet the the skills requirements of subclass 482 or 494 visas.
- Offshore applicants who are unable to enter Australia through the employer-sponsored visas + travel exemptions.
For more information please Contact Us or email elan@ryshermigration.com.au
Elan Rysher is a Registered Migration Agent and Qualified Student Counsellor. He is the main Writer for ImmiUpdates and the founder of Rysher Migration. Elan has many years of experience working in immigration, finance and health. Being a former migrant himself, Elan is passionate about helping others fulfill their Australian dream.
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