Welcome to our website, where we strive to provide you with all the information you need to make your Australian visa application process smooth and hassle-free. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first trip abroad, we understand that applying for a visa can be a daunting task. That’s why we’ve created this website to help you navigate the visa application process with ease.
Overview of Australian Visa
Australia is a popular destination for travelers, with its stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and unique wildlife. To enter Australia, most visitors will need to obtain a visa. There are many different types of visas available, depending on the purpose and length of your visit. The most common types of Australian visas include tourist visas, student visas, and work visas.
Applying for an Australian visa involves submitting an online application and providing supporting documents, such as a passport, photographs, and evidence of funds. Some visa types may also require health and character checks. The visa application process can take several weeks or months, so it’s important to apply well in advance of your planned travel dates.
Overall, obtaining an Australian visa can be a straightforward process as long as you follow the requirements and guidelines set out by the Australian government. With the right visa, you can experience all that Australia has to offer, from its bustling cities to its natural wonders.
Who needed an Australian Visa?
Most people who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents will need an Australian visa to enter the country. This includes tourists, students, and workers who are planning to stay in Australia temporarily. Some exceptions apply to citizens of certain countries who are eligible for an electronic visa or visa waiver, such as citizens of New Zealand who can enter Australia as a Special Category Visa holder. For short-term visits to Australia, we can apply for an eVisitor, Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), or a Visitor Visa, according to your nationality;
| eVisitor | Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) | Visitor Visa (Tourist Stream, Subclass 600) |
| European Union countries | Brunei Darussalam | All other countries. |
| Andorra | Canada | |
| Iceland | Hong Kong (SAR PRC) | |
| Liechtenstein | Japan | |
| Monaco | Malaysia | |
| Norway | Singapore | |
| San Marino | South Korea | |
| Switzerland | United States | |
| United Kingdom | ||
| Vatican City |
It’s important to check the Australian government’s visa requirements and guidelines to determine if you need a visa and which type of visa is appropriate for your situation. Failure to obtain the correct visa can result in denied entry to Australia or legal penalties.
Visa policy for New Zealand nationals
New Zealand nationals are eligible for a special visa category called the Special Category Visa (SCV) when entering Australia. This visa allows New Zealand citizens to live and work in Australia indefinitely, as long as they meet certain requirements.
New Zealand citizens can apply for an SCV on arrival in Australia, and the visa is granted automatically. However, certain criteria must be met to be eligible for an SCV.
If a New Zealand citizen is not eligible for an SCV, they may need to apply for a different type of visa to enter Australia, such as a tourist visa, student visa, or work visa, depending on the purpose of their visit.
How to get an Australian Visa?
To get an Australian visa, you will need to follow these steps:
- Most Australian visa applications are submitted online through the Department of Home Affairs website. You will need to create an ImmiAccount and follow the instructions to complete and submit your application.
- There is an application fee for most Australian visas, which must be paid at the time of application. The fee will vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for.
- After you submit your application, you will need to wait for a decision on your visa. The processing time will vary depending on the type of visa and the volume of applications being processed.
It’s important to note that the visa application process can be complex, so it’s recommended to seek advice from a qualified migration agent or lawyer if you have any questions or concerns.
Do original documents mandatory to apply for Australian Visa?
In most cases, original documents are not required to apply for an Australian visa. However, you will need to provide certified copies of certain documents as part of your visa application.
Certified copies are copies of original documents that have been certified as true and correct by an authorized person, such as a Justice of the Peace or a Notary Public. The authorized person must sign and date the copy and include their full name, address, and occupation.
When do we have to apply for Visa?
We should apply for an Australian visa as soon as we know we will be traveling to Australia, as the visa application process can take several weeks or even months to complete. The exact timing will depend on the type of visa we are applying for, our circumstances, and the volume of applications being processed by the Australian government.
It’s important to note that we should not book our travel arrangements until our visa application has been approved, as visa processing times can be unpredictable and delays can occur.
Overall, it’s recommended to apply for an Australian visa as early as possible to allow enough time for our application to be processed and for us to plan our travel arrangements accordingly.
Types of Australian Visa
There are many different types of visas available for those wishing to enter Australia, each with its specific requirements and conditions. Here are some of the most common types of visas:
- Visitor visas: Visitor visas are for those who wish to travel to Australia for tourism or business purposes. These visas allow us to stay in Australia for up to 3, 6, or 12 months, depending on the type of visa and our circumstances.
- Student visas: Student visas are for those who wish to study in Australia. These visas allow us to stay in Australia for the duration of our course of study, which can range from a few months to several years.
- Work visas: Work visas are for those who wish to work in Australia. These visas can be granted for a range of occupations and durations and may require sponsorship from an employer.
- Partner visas: Partner visas are for those who are in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. These visas allow you to live and work in Australia indefinitely.
- Parent visas: Parent visas are for those who have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. These visas allow you to live and work in Australia indefinitely.
- Skilled visas: Skilled visas are for those who have skills or qualifications that are in demand in Australia. These visas can be granted for a range of occupations and durations and may require sponsorship from an employer.
- Business visas: Business visas are for those who wish to invest or start a business in Australia. These visas can be granted for a range of business activities and durations.
Can we apply for a refusal of visa?
If our visa application is refused, we may be able to apply for a review of the decision. The review process will depend on the type of visa we applied for and the reasons for the refusal.
In some cases, we may be able to apply for a merits review, which is a review of the decision by an independent administrative tribunal. The tribunal will consider our application and any additional information or evidence we provide, and make a decision based on the merits of our case.
After getting visa
Once we have been granted an Australian visa, there are a few important things we should do to prepare for our trip:
- Make sure we understand the conditions of our visa, including the validity period, any work or study restrictions, and any other conditions that apply.
- Once we have our visa, we can book our flights and any other travel arrangements we need.
- Depending on the purpose of our trip, we may need to organize accommodation in Australia.
- It’s recommended to obtain health insurance to cover any unexpected medical costs while we are in Australia.
- Before we travel to Australia, it’s important to familiarize ourselves with Australian customs and laws.
- Make sure you bring all the necessary documents with us to Australia, including our passport, visa, and any other supporting documents that were required for our visa application.
Processing Time
The processing time for an Australian visa can vary widely depending on the type of visa we are applying for and our circumstances. Generally, the processing time can range from a few days to several months.
Some factors that can affect processing times include:
- Some visa types have faster processing times than others.
- If our application is incomplete or missing required documents, it may take longer to process.
- If there is a high volume of applications being processed, it may take longer to receive a decision on our application.
- If we have a complex case, such as a history of criminal convictions or health issues, it may take longer to process our application.
Does biometric verification necessary?
Yes, biometric verification is generally required for many types of Australian visas. Biometric verification involves providing our fingerprints and a photograph, which are then used to verify our identity.
Does travel health insurance available for Australian Visa?
Yes, travel health insurance is available in Australia and is recommended for all visitors to the country. While Australia has a high-quality healthcare system, medical treatment can be expensive for visitors who do not have travel health insurance.
Travel health insurance can cover a range of medical expenses, including hospitalization, emergency medical treatment, and repatriation in the event of a medical emergency. Some policies may also cover other costs, such as trip cancellation or lost luggage.
Before purchasing travel health insurance, it’s also important to check the visa requirements for your specific visa type. Some visa types may require us to have a specific level of health insurance coverage to be eligible for the visa.
How long we can stay in Australia with a valid visa?
The length of time we can stay in Australia with a valid visa will depend on the type of visa we have been granted.
- Visitor visas (subclass 600) typically allow visitors to stay in Australia for up to 3, 6, or 12 months, depending on the visa subclass and the purpose of the visit.
- Student visas (subclass 500) allow students to stay in Australia for the duration of their course of study, which can range from a few months to several years.
- Work visas, such as the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482), allow workers to stay in Australia for up to 4 years.
How long do we have to leave Australia before returning?
The period that we have to leave Australia before returning will depend on the conditions of our visa.
For most visitor visas, you are required to leave Australia before your visa expires. However, if you have a multiple-entry visa, you can leave and return to Australia multiple times while the visa is valid.
For some other visa types, such as the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482), there may be a requirement that you spend a certain period outside Australia before you can apply for a new visa or re-enter the country.
Can we extend Australian Visa?
- If we are in Australia on a visitor visa, we may be able to apply for an extension of our stay if we have a compelling reason, such as needing more time to complete medical treatment or attend to a family emergency. We will need to apply for the extension before our current visa expires and provide evidence to support your request.
- If we are in Australia on a student visa, we may be able to apply for an extension of our visa if we need more time to complete our course of study. We will need to provide evidence that we are making satisfactory progress in our studies and meet the other requirements for a student visa.
- If we are in Australia on a work visa, such as the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482), we may be able to apply for an extension if our employer wants to extend our employment contract.
How long we can stay in Australia after visa expiration?
It is important to leave Australia before our visa expires. Overstaying our visa can result in serious consequences, including fines, detention, and deportation.
If we stay in Australia after our visa has expired, we will become unlawful non-citizens.
If we have a compelling reason to stay in Australia beyond the expiry of our visa, we should apply for a new visa before our current visa expires.
How much Australian Visa cost?
The cost of an Australian visa varies depending on the type of visa we are applying for and our circumstances. Here are some examples of visa costs as of January 2024:
- Visitor visa (subclass 600): AUD 145 – AUD 1,065
- Student visa (subclass 500): AUD 640 – AUD 1,575
- Working Holiday visa (subclass 417): AUD 485
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): AUD 4,115 – AUD 4,875
We can check the specific visa fees for our visa type on the Australian government’s Department of Home Affairs website.
Can I get reimbursement if I remove my visa application?
If we withdraw our Australian visa application, we may be eligible for a refund of the visa application fee. However, whether or not we will receive a refund will depend on several factors, including the type of visa we applied for, the stage of the visa application process, and the reason for the withdrawal.
If we withdraw our visa application before it has been submitted for processing, we may be able to receive a full or partial refund of the visa application fee, depending on the visa type.
If we withdraw our visa application after it has been submitted for processing, we may still be able to receive a refund, but the amount of the refund will depend on the visa type and how far along the application has progressed.
How to check our visa validity and conditions?
We can check the validity and conditions of our Australian visa by using the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service. VEVO is a free, online service that allows us to check our visa details and conditions at any time.
To access VEVO, we will need our passport or ImmiCard details and our visa grant number or Transaction Reference Number (TRN). We can find our visa grant number or TRN on our visa grant notification letter or the visa label on our passports.
How do we check the status of our Australian visa application?
We can check the status of our Australian visa application online through the Australian government’s Department of Home Affairs website. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to the Department of Home Affairs website and click on “ImmiAccount” in the top right corner of the page.
- Log in to our ImmiAccount using our username and password.
- Once we are logged in, we will be taken to our dashboard. Look for the “View application status” section on the dashboard and click on it.
- We will be taken to a page that shows all of our current visa applications. Find the application we want to check and click on it.
- We will be able to see the current status of our visa application, as well as any outstanding tasks or requirements.
How can we pay for our visa?
There are several ways to pay for your Australian visa application:
- Online: The Department of Home Affairs accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and JCB.
- BPAY: If we are in Australia, we can pay for our visa application using BPAY. We will need to use our bank’s phone or internet banking service to make the payment.
- PayPal: We can pay for our visa application using PayPal if we have a PayPal account.
- Bank transfer: If we are outside Australia, we can pay for our visa application by bank transfer. We will need to transfer the funds to the Department of Home Affairs using the bank account details provided on the payment page of our visa application.
What will be the conditions if we make a mistake in our visa application?
If we make a mistake in our Australian visa application, the consequences can vary depending on the type of mistake and how it affects our application. Some common mistakes that can cause problems include providing incorrect information, failing to disclose relevant information, or providing false or misleading information.
If we make a minor mistake in our visa application, such as a typographical error or a small discrepancy in our personal information, the Australian government’s Department of Home Affairs may allow us to correct the mistake without penalty.
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