Australia Could Lift Djokovic’s Three-Year Visa Ban Early, Prime Minister Says

Topline

Novak Djokovic may be allowed to compete in next year’s Australian Open under “the right circumstances”, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Monday, suggesting his government may waive the automatic three year visa ban on the Serbian tennis star who was deported from the country on Sunday.

Key Facts

Under Australian immigration law, Djokovic—whose visa was canceled on public health grounds last week—cannot be granted a visa for the next three years unless Australia’s immigration minister agrees on compelling or compassionate grounds.

In an interview with 2GB radio, Morrison said there is an opportunity for a person like Djokovic to return “in the right circumstances, and that will be considered at the time.”

Morrison, however, added that he was not going to set any preconditions or say anything that would prevent the immigration minister from taking that call independently.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews told Channel Nine that if Djokovic had a “compelling reason” in the future lifting of the ban would be considered but that it was “all hypothetical at this point.”

It is unclear if Djokovic’s future Covid-19 vaccination status will play a role in determining his eligibility for a waiver.

Key Background

Djokovic was forced to leave Australia on Sunday following a nearly two week-long saga surrounding the unvaccinated star’s eligibility to remain in the country and compete in the Australian Open. Djokovic’s exit from the country came after he lost a legal challenge to overturn Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke’s decision to cancel his visa on public health grounds. While canceling the visa, Hawke said Djokovic’s presence in the country would encourage anti-vaxxer sentiment. The tennis star’s visa was previously canceled by Australian border authorities on grounds that he failed to provide sufficient proof for a medical exemption from vaccination. However, this cancelation was overturned by a Melbourne court last week.

Further Reading

Serbian President Blasts Australia For Deporting Djokovic—Fellow Tennis Players Also React (Forbes)

After Australia, Here’s Which Grand Slam Tournaments Djokovic Can – And Can’t – Play (Forbes)

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