Highlights
- ABF received the highest number of travel exemption requests from temporary visa holders stuck in India
- Out of the total number of requests lodged by Indian passport holders, only 4% were approved
- Visa holders from New Zealand received the highest number of travel exemptions
In response to a question raised by Greens Senator Nick McKim, the Department of Home Affairs has provided a breakdown of top 10 passport nationalities by exemption requests received and approved between 1 and 20 August 2020.
As per the data provided to the Senate committee, India emerged on the top of 10 source countries for inward travel exemption requests – accounting for 2,531 of the total 14,458 requests received by the ABF in the first 20 days of the month of August.
The data reveals that non-citizens from the United Kingdom lodged the second-highest number of requests closely followed by visa holders stuck in New Zealand, the United States and China.
However, a very small percentage of requests for such exemptions from India have been successful.
Inward exemption requests received between 1-20 August 2020: Top 10 nationalities:
Inward travel exemptions: Country-wise data for number of requests lodged Source: Parliament
Australian borders remain closed for anyone who isn’t a citizen or a permanent resident. All others seeking to return must have an exemption to the border ban.
While visa holders stuck in India accounted for the highest number of travel requests between 1 and 20 August, in terms of approval rates, they stood on number four, preceded by applicants from New Zealand who received the highest approvals, closely followed by those from the UK and the US.
This means that out of the 2,531 requests made, only 113 were given ‘discretionary exemptions’ based on their critical skills or compassionate and compelling grounds.
Inward travel exemptions: Country-wise data of the number of approvals Source: Parliament
While 131 already met the exemption criteria, which includes Australian citizens or permanents residents and their immediate family members, maritime or aviation crew, New Zealand citizens usually residing in Australia, and Diplomatic visa holders.
Darshan Patel and Ruchika Patel with their eight-year-old son. Source: Supplied
A surge in exemption approvals:
Of late, there has been a significant increase in the rate of approvals for visa holders seeking to enter Australia on compassionate and compelling grounds, particularly in cases where people have been separated from their partners and children.
One of them is Indian-origin visa holder Ruchika Patel and her eight-year-old son who has received an exemption compassionate grounds and is now busy making arrangements to travel back to her life in Nowra in New South Wales.
The 37-year-old who finally got approval after receiving multiple rejections last month said she cannot wait to reunite with her husband.
“I cannot wait to go back and resume my life in Australia. My son has been missing his school while my husband is managing all alone. I am grateful to Senator McKim who has been fighting for temporary visa holders stuck outside Australia,” she said.
While Ms Patel and her family have lucked out, there are still hundreds of temporary migrants stuck outside Australia in countries across the globe waiting for a reprieve.
Bankim Shikhari with his family. Source: Supplied
One of them is Indian-origin man Bankim Shikhari who is stuck in Thailand with his wife and eight-year-old son.
After receiving a skilled visa earlier this year, the 42-year-old quit his job, wrapped his life in Bangkok and was all set to start a new life in Australia when the borders were snapped shut in March.
He has since been seeking entry into Australia on compassionate grounds as his work permit in Thailand has already expired and assets have been transferred to Darwin.
“We are living out of our savings since I have quit my job here and we were planning to migrate to Australia, but the pandemic brought my life to a standstill.
“Now we are stuck here with no earning source, my child has moved out of school, and we have already moved our belongings to the Northern Territory. I have applied for travel exemptions at least 11 times, only to be rejected each time,” he said.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
