Australia’s Borders Open to Skilled Migrants and International Students

Visa holders are Allowed to Enter the Country, Almost After Two Years

Australia on Wednesday reopened the borders to vaccinated skilled migrants and foreign students.

Visa holders are now allowed to enter the country; almost 2 years since Australia’s border were closed due to the pandemic.

The emergence of the new Omicron variant of the corona virus forced officials to delay the reopening of the borders by two weeks after the health officials sought a temporary pause to get more information about the strain, which so far appears to show milder symptoms than other Covid-19 variants.

“We’re going to live with the virus, and we’re not going to let it drag back to where we’ve been,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison told radio station 4BC on Wednesday, the day of the reopening.

“We’ve got one of the highest vaccination rates, which mean we can fight this thing. We don’t have to surrender to it.” Scott Morrison added.

The resumption means a travel bubble with Japan and South Korea can also begin.

The government estimates about 235,000 visa holders would be eligible to enter the country, including an estimated 133,000 international students.

Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson said she was delighted international students could at last return.

“We have missed their presence dearly and couldn’t be more delighted to welcome them back from today,” Ms Jackson said.

“We recognize the real effects of Covid-19 have had on their wellbeing, and the resilience they have shown amidst extreme uncertainty.”

Wednesday also marks the opening of Tasmania’s border to the rest of Australia, with fully vaccinated travelers able to enter the state.

People entering Tasmania from certain high- risks areas must return a negative Covid-19 test 72- hours before they arrive. Unvaccinated people will still need to apply for a travel exemption to enter.