Health insurance requirements for new visas

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Created on Friday, 14 June 2013 15:19

Written by Editorial staff

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DOIC) introduced three new temporary immigration visas in November 2012.

They are the 401 (Temporary Work - Long Stay Activity) visa, the 402 (Training and Research) visa and the 403 (Temporary Work - International Relations) visa.

In addition to introducing these new visas, the DOIC also announced that evidence of adequate health insurance coverage also has to be demonstrated when applying for them.

Such evidence can include a certification letter from your health insurer, proof of enrollment with Medicare (if your country has a reciprocal health care arrangement with Australia), or a health insurance standard template letter (which needs to be completed by your insurance provider).

Migration Alliance has been working with health insurer BUPA for many years.

We are pleased to announce that their new Essential Visitors Cover insurance package, which has been designed with those applying for migration visas in mind, meets all of the 401, 402 and 403 visas' health insurance requirements.

Any migration agents or prospective applicants who would like to know more should check out our website.

About the 401, 402 and 403 visas

The 401 visa is for people who want to enter Australia under one of four streams: the Exchange, Sport, Religious Worker and Domestic Worker streams.

On this visa, you can stay in Australia for up to two years and bring over eligible family members with you. You can also leave and re-enter the country as many times as you like while the visa is still valid.

The 402 visa enables a person to come to Australia temporarily for work-related training, professional development, or to conduct and observe academic research.

When it was introduced in last year, it replaced the Occupational Trainee visa, Professional Development visa and Visiting Academic visa.

It allows you to live and work in Australia for a maximum of two years. If, however, you continue to satisfy requirements, you can re-apply another 402 visa and extend your visit.

The 403 visa allows you to represent an overseas government, complete domestic work for the holder of a Diplomatic (Temporary) Visa, or undertake work in accordance with the conditions of an agreement between an Australian and foreign government.

There are four streams associated with this visa: the Government Agreement, Foreign Government Agency, Domestic Worker, and Privileges and Immunities Stream.

You do not need a sponsor in order to apply for this visa, and it enables you to stay in Australia until your work is completed.