After two years apart, Victor was hoping to see his family this December in Mexico. It would be their first Christmas together in five years.
But Friday’s announcement by the federal government crushed all of his plans for the long-awaited reunion.
Last week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that most fully vaccinated Australians and permanent residents would be able to in November once states and territories hit 80 per cent double doses.
The reopening will centre on the adoption of a seven-day home quarantine, which will be implemented following trials in NSW and South Australia.
Announcing the changes, Mr Morrison said it was “time to give Australians their lives back”.
However, the government flagged further decisions on reopening international travel for temporary visa holders were still being considered.
For Victor, this means that Australians could be vacationing in Mexico before he’s able to reunite with his family.
“It is upsetting. It feels like I’m trapped,” Victor told The Feed.
Victor believes temporary visa holders who are fully-vaccinated should have the same travels as Australians. Source: Supplied
Victor is working on a graduate visa after completing a Master’s degree in Sydney.
His current employer had been planning on sponsoring him but is now unable to as the company has been heavily impacted by COVID-19.
“I had to apply for a COVID visa and now I'm trying to figure out what I'm gonna do next,” Victor said.
Like many others, Victor has had to weigh up whether to leave Australia and face uncertainty about when he can return or stay in the country and continue to be apart from his family.
He recalls a conversation with his mum last July when COVID-19 was rampant in his hometown and the virus had claimed the lives of many people he knew.
“We had this intense conversation and she told me if something happens to her, she doesn’t want me to come back because I’m fighting for something and I want to get my sponsorship.
“It was a really difficult conversation to have.”
Victor hasn't seen his family in two years. His hometown in Mexico has been hit hard by the virus. Source: Supplied
Victor is fully vaccinated and questions why the privileges offered to Australians who get two doses of an approved vaccine won’t apply to temporary visa holders.
“We've been living in Australia for some time working and paying taxes, we've got the vaccine here,” he said.
“For me, it makes sense that we'd be allowed to travel.”
French migrant Philippa was excited by Friday’s news that international travel restrictions would be lifting - until she read the fine print.
“It was devastating [finding out we were excluded]. It was a nightmare, to be honest,” Philippa told The Feed.
“We've been in Australia for the lockdowns and we’ve followed the rules and contributed to the vaccination targets and the economy.
“It felt quite hard to hear that we weren't considered to the same extent as the citizens and permanent residents in terms of travel.”
Philippa arrived in Australia two years ago and has lived through the world’s longest cumulative lockdown in Melbourne.
Philippa (centre-right) is desperate to see her family in France after more than two years apart. Source: Supplied
She said she feels “heartbroken” by the idea that she could miss another Christmas with her family this year.
“My housemates who are Australian citizens could go to Paris for a nice holiday during Christmas and see the Eiffel Tower but at this stage, I'm not able to go and see my parents who recently turned 60 and 70,” Philippa said.
“People can travel for fun but I can't travel to see my loved ones.”
Philippa is considering applying for permanent residency but was told by an immigration lawyer that waiting times are currently between 12 and 18 months.
“It’s really hard [to get permanent residency]. There are lots of steps and it’s not immediate.”
Like Victor, Philippa is demanding some clarity on when temporary visa holders will be able to return home without the fear of not being able to return to the country.
“I’d like to call on Alex Hawke, the Minister for Immigration to get some more clarity on when we can expect to get back to our families.”
“It’s not just a place to live. It’s the connections with people, jobs that we love… all the things that come with moving somewhere and putting down roots that are hard to leave behind.”
In a statement to The Feed, a spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs said, "foreign nationals, including temporary visa holders, continue to require a travel exemption to enter Australia, unless they are in an exempt category."
This means foreign nationals are currently able to leave Australia but they are barred from re-entering without an exemption.
"Further information on travel and entry requirements for foreign nationals, including temporary visa holders, will be available as we progress through the four phases of the National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response," the spokesperson said.
The Department did not answer questions about whether those on spousal or partner visas will count as 'immediate family' when the changes are expected to be introduced next month.
The Feed contacted the Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke several times for comment before deadline. This piece will be updated with his response once we receive it.
