Australia: Transiting the country during COVID-19

As per the Department of Home Affairs of the Australian Government, foreign nationals that are transiting through Australia don’t have to apply for an exemption to travel restrictions, provided they have a booking on a connecting flight from the same airport and they will also not be leaving the airport.

In situations wherein an individual transiting through Australia plans on leaving the airport prior to boarding their connecting flight onwards, they will be required to apply – to the Commissioner of the Australian Border Force – for a travel exemption. The application can be made online.

Generally, in order to be able to transit through Australia, an individual must hold either a valid visa or belong to one of the countries that are eligible to Transit Without a Visa [TWOV].

Transit visa [subclass 771] will have to be applied for by individuals that are neither eligible for TWOV nor hold a visa allowing them lawful entry into Australia. Subclass 771 allows the visa holder to transit through Australia for a maximum period of 72 hours while awaiting their onwards connecting flight.

As only up to 72 hours of stay in Australia is permissible on a subclass 771 Australian visa, individuals that have to stay longer in Australia will be required to apply for another visa.

Transit quarantine arrangements will have to be followed while transiting through Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. If the individual cannot remain in the airport prior to their connecting flight departing, they will require a valid visa if they are otherwise not eligible for TWOV.

Quarantine and isolation requirements in the Australian state or territory that they have arrived in will have to be followed. This will be required even if they have an exemption from the ABF Commissioner.

States and territories in Australia will be considering exemptions to the compulsory 14-day quarantine period on a case-by-case basis.

If you are looking to Migrate, Study, Invest, Visit, or Work Overseas, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No. 1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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