Australia reopens its Border from 15 December 2021 to eligible Visa holders including International Students

From today, i.e. 15 December 2021, Australia has reopened its borders for eligible visa holders, i.e. skilled professionals and international students. First, the government was planning to open borders from 1st December, however, the decision delayed for15 days due to the new Omicron variant of the Covid. Indian government has also confirmed the arrangement of Air Bubble with Australia.

Eligible Australian visa holders do not need any travel exemption to travel

Last month only Australia made this announcement that from 15 December; fully vaccinated eligible visa holders can travel to Australia without requirement to apply for a travel exemption. This includes eligible visa holders in Australia looking to depart and return. To be considered as an eligible visa holder, you require holding one of the below visas: 

Note:  More visa subclasses may be added over time.  

Australian Citizens and Permanent residents are already exempt from Travel restrictions 

You are automatically exempt from the travel restrictions and can enter Australia (without obtaining an individual exemption) if you are: 

• an Australian citizen
• a permanent resident of Australia
• an immediate family member of an Australian citizen or permanent resident*
• a New Zealand citizen usually resident in Australia and their immediate family members 

Also read- Latest Australia Travel Update- Eligible Visa Holders Can travel to Australia w.e.f. 1 December 2021 

Australia-India Air Travel bubble

India has also announced Air Travel Bubble arrangement with Australia. As per India’s ministry for civil aviation, it has established an air bubble with Australia, whereby Australian citizens and those holding valid visas and are eligible to enter Australia/New Zealand will be allowed to travel.

It is for airlines to make certain that there is no travel restriction for Indian/ Nepalese/ Bhutanese nationals to enter the destination country before issue of ticket/boarding pass.

Speaking about the travel update, president of AAERI Ravi Lochan Singh said “stars are aligning for Australia bound students from the sub-continent”.

“India and Australia have now got a firm travel bubble in place that includes Nepal and Bhutan based travellers flying through India. Air India and Qantas have started regular flights direct flights between Delhi and Sydney / Melbourne. All the pieces of the jigsaw falling in place. Book your flights,” he shared on social media.

Who will be considered fully Vaccinated?

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approves the COVID-19 vaccines for use in Australia. Hence, the vaccine you received must be approved or recognised by TGA. To qualify as fully vaccinated in Australia, you need to have had either

• 2 full doses minimum 14 days apart of
  • Comirnaty (Pfizer)
  • Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca)
  • Covishield (AstraZeneca)
  • Spikevax (Moderna)
  • Takeda (Moderna)
  • Coronavac (Sinovac)
  • BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) (for 18-60 years old) 
  • Covaxin (Bharat Biotech) or
• one dose of Janssen-Cilag (Johnson & Johnson)

To confirm further details, or to apply for relevant visa in Australia in 2022, you may call Visas Avenue Australia migration expert on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or you can drop us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.

- Rajneesh Kumar