Section 48 prevents people who have had a visa refused or cancelled, and currently hold a bridging visa, from applying for any visas other than a limited list of prescribed visas. To circumvent this Bar, many applicants go offshore to lodge their visa application. This has been difficult during the pandemic.

To facilitate applications in Australia by applicants who are prevented from leaving due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions but meet all other requirements for making an application for the visa, section 48 is set to be amended to allow onshore applicants to lodge 3 popular skilled visas:

• 491 Visa – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
  

• 494 Visa – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa
  

• 190 Visa – Skilled Nominated visa

To find out whether you qualify for a skilled migration visa, get in touch with us via our booking form or call our Queensland office on (07) 5592 0755.