Travel ban for the eight southern African countries lifted

Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly announced yesterday that the ban imposed in November 2021 was no longer needed as the Omicron variant of COVID19 is being detected in dozens of countries around the world.

Countries that were subject to the travel ban include South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi and Eswatini. However, the travel ban is no longer effective or needed. There are no direct flights to Australia from the southern Africa nations at present and travelers are required to fly to Europe or Asia first before embarking on a flight to Australia.

The Department of Home Affairs will continue operations and visa processing as normal for all other countries whilst it will resume reviewing applications lodged for citizens of the countries that were subject to the ban will commence shortly after the festive season break. In early 2022 we can expect that visa processing of all eligible visas to pick up pace and see further relaxing of the travel rules and restrictions.

Contact Assent Migration Lawyer for assistance in navigating the Australian visa and border requirements.