Australia to re-open borders to students from December 1!

Australia announced Monday it will again welcome foreign students and skilled workers from next month, easing some of the world’s most stringent pandemic travel restrictions.

Twenty months after Australia slammed shut its borders, some visa holders – as well as Japanese and South Korean citizens – will be able to enter from December 1.

“Australia is re-opening to the world,” said Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews as she announced the news, adding it was “yet another step forward for Australia.”

What does this mean for international students?

Fully vaccinated international students with a valid visa can return to Australia from 1 December 2021 without needing to apply for a travel exemption.

Under these arrangements, travellers must:

• • Be fully vaccinated with a completed dosage of a vaccine approved or recognised by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration

• • Hold a valid visa for one of the eligible visa subclasses

• • Provide proof of their vaccination status.
  • Present a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test taken within three days of departure.

This highly anticipated change brings relief to temporary visa holders onshore and outside Australia. An influx of visa applications is likely in the coming months and this may further extend drawn-out processing times. We advise clients to consider submitting their applications as early as possible to avoid unnecessary delays.