I think everyone is aware of the travel ban announced by Scott Morrison yesterday (Thursday 19 March 2020). Australian borders have been closed to most non-Citizens of Australia. 

Travel Ban Exceptions

• Australian Citizens, of course
• Australian Permanent Residents
• Spouses, dependents and guardians of the above

They have not set an end-date on this.

Jeff’s Thoughts

Yes, no doubt a good idea from the perspective of eradicating Coronavirus. Less people will come in, and those who do come in will need to self-isolate for 14 days as per the last announcement.

Will it contain and reduce spread of the virus? Well, their logic is that 80% of cases were due to overseas visitors, so stopping or reducing that flow will make all the difference. What difference that makes when everyone has to self-isolate anyway? No idea. But that’s their thinking.

I would think that unless they start enforcing the wearing of masks etc, most notably when you see crowds of crazies descending on supermarkets in search of the elusive dunny rolls. A bit more attention to localised spread….as they’re doing very effectively in the Philippines…..would I think have more of an impact. 

And how long will it last? My guess is 1 – 2 months. Economic factors will come into play. The flow of money needs a flow of people, and they’re more aware of this than I am. 

And what about availability of flights? No doubt less. However there will be less people flying, so should be quite a pleasant experience when it happens. 

Travel Ban Effect on Visas to Australia

Disclaimer: This is based on what I would call a clear interpretation on what the press releases say. Please watch this space for any changes when and if they happen.

Tourist visas for girlfriends and visiting relatives, obviously won’t happen until they lift the ban. 

Tourist visas for spouses (married and de facto spouses) will continue as per normal (once the Manila ban is lifted in the middle of April). 

Tourist visas for dependent children (note that I said DEPENDENT children, and not the 28 year old son) will continue. 

It appears that Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa holders won’t be allowed in during the ban. Will let you all know if there are any changes to that.

Partner visa holders will be able to enter, because they are spouses of Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents.

What about Onshore Partner Visa applications on tourist visas?

As above, if you want her to enter as a girlfriend, won’t be able to AT THE MOMENT (ie remember this is NOT a permanent arrangement!). 

Options?

If it were me? Go to Philippines after mid-April and marry the girl! No-Frills marriage in front of the judge. Tone down the wedding dresses, barong tagalogs and 27 bridesmaids. Tone down the feeding of the 5,000 (wedding guests). 

Do this, and she’s your spouse! She can then enter!

You can also apply offshore for a partner visa. Nothing stopping you from doing this. You just have a longer wait to contend with.

Other option? Realise that this travel ban is a temporary measure. Get stuck into preparing an excellent visa application, along with your Best Friends in the World (the Down Under Visa Team), and stick to the original plan!

Years ago when I was just a Baby RMA, Government visa charges were I think $1,300.00-and-something. Fees went through the ceiling. Did sponsors give up? Did they decide that the bachelor life was for them? Hell no! Some took time to save up the fees, but they did just that and it was business-as-usual as it is now.

Offshore partner visas and prospective marriage visas took 4 – 6 months to process. Now they’re taking 12 – 18 months from our client results. Sponsors and applicants never tossed in the towel and gave up.

Oh, and up until 4 – 5 years ago I would say 99%+ tourist visas came with an 8503 No Further Stay. Onshore partner visa applications were virtually non-existent. Everyone coped!

My point is that when something matters to you, you cope! You adjust. You change plans. You tough it out! This travel ban is a temporary speed-bump on the road to marital bliss and a long and happy life. I wouldn’t expect a single couple to do anything less than to do what it takes!

Some Positive Thoughts

(courtesy of a client’s email to me last night)

• China has closed down its last coronavirus hospital. Not enough new cases to support them.
• Indian Doctors successful in treating Corona. Combination of drugs used: Lopinavir, Retonovir, Oseltamivir along with Chlorphenamine. They are going to suggest the same medicine globally.
• Researchers of the Erasmus Medical Center claim to have found an antibody against coronavirus.
• A 103-year-old Chinese grandmother has made a full recovery from COVID-19 after being treated for 6 days in Wuhan, China.
• Apple reopens all 42 china stores,
• Cleveland Clinic develops COVID-19 test that gives results in hours, not days.
• Good news from South Korea, where the number of new cases is declining.
• Italy is hit hard, experts say, only because they have the oldest population in Europe.
• Scientists in Israel likely to announce the development of a coronavirus vaccine.
• Two more Filipinos have recovered from COVID-19 and is now discharged from the hospital. Only two Filipino COVID-19 positive patients remain in hospital isolation.
• A network of Canadian scientists are making excellent progress in Covid-19 research.
• A San Diego biotech company is developing a Covid-19 vaccine in collaboration with Duke University and National University of Singapore.
• All 7 patients who were getting treated for at Safdarjung hospital in New Delhi have recovered.
• Plasma from newly recovered patients from Covid -19 can treat others infected by Covid-19.

Jeff Harvie is a Registered Migration Agent from Australia, but resident in Philippines since 2010 with his Filipina wife Mila and large extended family. Experienced with the Philippines culture, cross-cultural relationships and bureaucracy as well as Australian visas and Australian Migration Law, he writes with authority and fortunately with enough informality and humour that the average Aussie gets it!