What Support Does Australia Offer To Ukrainian Visa Applicants Amid Recent Emergency?

This article aims to briefly highlight the recent Australian Visa Support introduced by the Australian Government in order to address the Ukraine crisis and the eligibility criteria for Visa applicants from that country. 

Who is who?

In response to the war in Ukraine, as part of the response to the crisis, the Australian Government on 23 February 2022 announced travel bans and targeted financial sanctions on eight members of Russia’s Security Council. The Government also announced that it will amend the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 to extend existing sanctions that apply to Crimea and Sevastopol to Donetsk and Luhansk.

What does Targeted Financial Sanctions mean?

Targeted Financial Sanctions will mean Australian individuals and entities cannot do business with the following banks: Rossiya Bank, Promsvyazbank, IS Bank, Genbank, and the Black Sea Bank for Development and Reconstruction. This is in addition to restrictions on Australians investing in the state development bank VEB. The list of prohibited individuals and businesses will be likely to change over time.

How the new announcement can help Ukrainian nationals? 

The Department of Home Affairs is progressing visa applications from Ukrainian nationals as a priority, across all visa categories. The Department has finalised hundreds of on-hand applications over recent days.

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Does a Ukrainian national need to be in Australia to benefit from the Visa support? 

The Prime Minister has announced that automatic visa extensions for 6 months will be given to Ukrainian nationals in Australia who have a visa expiring before 30 June 2022. The visa holder under this category does not need to do anything to receive this extension.

What about Ukrainian nationals outside Australia?

A Ukrainian national who is currently outside Australia and who wishes to apply for a visa to Australia should consider options relevant to his/her circumstance. Those who have close family members in Australia may be eligible to apply for a visa based on their close family relationships.  

We strongly recommend that Ukrainians with temporary visas in Australia and those waiting on a visa outcome or looking for Australian visa Support options seek qualified legal advice. 

For detailed information about the new announcements, you may access the following links:

https://www.pm.gov.au/media/australias-response-russias-aggression-against-ukraine 

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-and-support/ukraine-visa-support 

For advice or assistance with all immigration law matters and the latest update contact the Immigration Law Team at Aylward Game Solicitors today on 1800 217 217