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Visas to visit Australia

Whether you are visiting Australia for less than 72 hours or planning on a stay of several years you must have a valid Australian visa.

A visa is a form of permission for a non-citizen to enter, transit or remain in a particular country.

Information on visas to Australia can be found at the Department of Home Affairs .

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Visas and Migration

Latest news.

For the latest immigration and citizenship news, see  News - Archive . 

Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)

From 6 April 2022, all ETA-eligible passport holders can ap​​ply for an ETA using the Australian ETA app. For more information, see our Step by step guide .

If you are unable to use the app, you can apply online through ImmiAccount for another visa that suits your needs.

European passport holders may be eligible for an eVisitor (subclass 651) .

At this time, ETA lodgement is only available through the Australian ETA app.​​ To apply you  must  lodge the application via the  ETA app  which you can download for free from the  Apple Store (Apple)  or  Google Play store (Android) .

You can apply for an ETA through the app if:

• you meet all  ETA eligibility requirements , and
• you hold a passport from an  eligible country .

Whether you are visiting Australia for a short period of time or planning to migrate, you must have a valid Australian visa.

Information on visas to Australia can be found on the  Department of Home Affairs website .

Explore visa options  on the department's website to help you find the visa most likely to meet your specific circumstances.

Visa applications, fees & processing times

Most visa applications can be lodged online by creating an  ImmiAccount . This is our preferred method of visa lodgement to helps us process your application faster.

If you are lodging an application in the US, please refer to the following information before submitting your application:

• Processing times
• Visa requirements  (health, character, biometrics)
• Translation of documents not in English

Please note, you should not book flights or make travel commitments until you have a valid visa to travel to Australia. The Department of Home Affairs will not be liable for any financial loss incurred by travellers whose visa application was finalised later than expected, or where an application is not successful.

Visa and citizenship applications are managed by the Department of Home Affairs. Embassy staff are unable to assist with general visa or citizenship enquiries. 

The Department of Home Affairs website has the most up to date and comprehensive information on applying for visas and citizenship. The website also has useful definitions and tools to help you understand the department’s requirements. Visit the website at Immigration and citizenship .

If you are having trouble locating information on the department’s website, the Home Affairs Digital Assistant may be able to help. The Digital Assistant can help you find information on Australian visas, citizenship and border entry. Visit the  Immigration and citizenship  website and click the Ask a question   Digital Assistant button to get started.

Global Service Centre

If you require additional information, you may telephone the Global Service Centre on +61 2 6196 0196, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm your local time.

International calls may be subject to charges imposed by your local carrier. You may wish to consider using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider to avoid potentially high charges.

Using an interpreter

When you call the GSC, select option 6 to engage a Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) interpreter in your language. Option 6 can be selected straight after dialling the GSC number.

Alternatively, a TIS interpreter can also be engaged directly via:

•    TIS website:  Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) or

•    Home Affairs website See:  Family and friends helping with your application .

Compliments, complaints and suggestions

Your feedback is valuable to the Department of Home Affairs. The department uses your feedback to improve services and investigate and respond to any issues of concern. You can find more information on the department’s website at  Compliments, complaints and suggestions .

Allegations related to suspicious border activities

If it doesn’t feel right, flag it anonymously with Border Watch. Border Watch is the single collection point for the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force (ABF) for allegations related to suspicious border activities and is not limited to immigration and citizenship. One small observation could help stop a much larger border crime.  You can report suspicious immigration, customs and border related activity via the  Border Watch Online Report .

Beware of Visa Scams

To avoid being scammed, you can check the Register of Migration Agents on the  OMARA website , to receive the protections of an OMARA registered Migration Agent.

There are Australian registered migration agents working all around the world. These agents are subject to the same Code of Conduct, professional development and regulations as registered migration agents based in Australia. More information about Australia's efforts to ensure the integrity of the migration advice profession is available at:  www.mara.gov.au .

Further information on visa scams is available on the Department of Home Affairs website .

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Australian Visa and Entry Requirements FAQs

Learn about visa requirements for entry to Australia for tourism purposes with this list of frequently asked questions. 

Please note this page is intended to provide general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Tourism Australia is not the Australian government visa granting authority. For information on visas to enter Australia, visitors should seek the most up-to-date information from Australian Government Department of Home Affairs .*

Ready to plan your trip? We're ready to welcome you! Here are some helpful tips for getting your visa sorted: 

• Be sure to secure the appropriate visa before travelling to Australia. Use the Visa Finder to explore your options.
• Ensure all details are correct and provide all required documents when you apply. An incomplete or incorrect application can delay your visa.
• Submitting multiple applications at the same time can slow the process. For visitor visas, submit one application per person, including children. 
• Questions? The Australian Government's Global Service Centre can help.

Australian Visa Information

Unless you are an Australian citizen, you will need a valid Australian visa to enter the country. New Zealand passport holders can apply for a visa upon arrival in the country. All other passport holders, regardless of age, must apply for a visa before leaving home. You can apply for a range of Australian visa types, including tourist visas and working holiday visas, via the ETA app or on the  Department of Home Affairs website.

There are different Australian visa types available for travellers to Australia. Knowing which Australian visa to apply for depends on the length of your stay, your passport and the purpose of your visit. You’ll also need to meet certain financial and medical requirements, be outside of Australia when applying and maintain health insurance for the duration of your stay. 

Electronic Travel Authority visa  (subclass 601) This visa allows you to visit Australia as many times as you want, for up to a year, and stay for three months each visit. This visa is available to passport holders from a number of countries and regions, who live outside Australia. A step-by-step guide on how to apply is  here .

All ETA-eligible passport holders must apply for an ETA using the Australian ETA app. Agents can assist you in the application process, but you must be physically present as a live facial image is required.

eVisitor  (subclass 651) This is a free visa for multiple visits to Australia for tourism or business purposes for up to three months at a time within a 12-month period. This visa is available to passport holders from a number of European countries and it cannot be extended.

Visitor visa  (subclass 600) The Visitor visa allows you to visit Australia, either for tourism or business purposes. It is open to all nationalities. Generally, a period of stay of up to three months is granted, but up to 12 months may be granted in certain circumstances. Applicants will have to pay a fee to submit their application.

The application process may differ depending on which visa you need.

You can only apply for the  Electronic Travel Authority visa  (subclass 601) through the Australian ETA app. A step-by-step guide on how to apply is located  here .

For other visas, you can apply online by creating an ImmiAccount and completing the application process. Be sure to submit your application well in advance of your travel date to allow enough time for processing. You may be asked to provide further supporting information. You will be notified in writing if your tourist visa is approved and it will be digitally linked to your passport. For more information on different visa types, and Australian visa requirements including how to apply for an Australian visa, visit the  Department of Home Affairs  website.

If you are already in Australia and hold a valid Electronic Travel Authority visa (subclass 601) you can extend your stay by applying for another visa, such as a Visitor visa (subclass 600). An eVisitor (subclass 651) cannot be extended.

See the Department of Home Affairs website for details.

Working Holiday Visas

Australia's Working Holiday Maker program allows visitors aged under 30 (or 35 in certain cases) who hold a passport from a participating country to travel and work in Australia. Working holiday visas are valid for one year, or up to three years if you meet certain conditions.

Find out more about working holiday visas here .

*Australian visa regulations (including visa application charges) change from time to time. The information provided here is valid at the time of publication, but visitors should check this information is still current by visiting the Australian Department of Home Affairs .

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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

Australia Visitor Visa: Requirements, Eligibility and Application Process

Updated: February 7, 2024

Australia Visitor Visa is the only option to visit Australia as a tourist for many nationalities. If you don’t qualify for either the Electronic Travel Authority(ETA) or the eVisitor Visa, then you will need to get a Visitor Visa.

Australia no longer accepts paper applications for the visitor visa. All applications must be lodged online through the Australian Government Immi Portal.

The Visitor Visa has subclass 600 in Australia’s visa documentation and the subtype we’re interested in is the “Tourist stream (apply outside Australia)”.

Quick summary:

• Eligibility: All nationalities are eligible
• Validity: Valid for 6 months, 1 year or 3 years with single or multiple entries
• Duration of stay: Generally, 3 months allowed stay, but up to 6 or 12 in some cases
• Visa fee: Visitors visa fee is 190 AUD
• Processing time: 50% of applications are processed in 7 days and 90% in 21 days.

If you haven’t already, read the  Australia Visa Guide  to familiarize yourself with Australian tourist visa types, requirements, eligibility and entry procedures at the border.

Table of Contents

Understanding australia visitor visa.

Visitor visa validity

The Australian Visitor visa is valid for 6 months, 1 year or 3 years from the date of issue. The validity of the visa depends on your nationality and circumstances. For example, most Indian passport holders get a 3-year valid Australian visa, whereas Phillippine passport holders get a 1-year valid visa. Pakistan nationals get a 6-month validity.

You must visit Australia within the validity of your visa.

Duration of stay

Most Visitor visas granted allow for 3 months of continuous stay in Australia. Depending on circumstances, you might be granted a stay of 6 months or even 12 months.

Allowed number of entries

Most Visitor visas are multiple-entry , but Home Affairs also issues single visas in certain circumstances for certain nationalities.

When to apply

Since the tourist visas are valid for at least 3 months, it’s a good idea to apply well in advance. Most applications get processed in 3 weeks or fewer.

Visa extension

Australia Visitor visa is non-extendable . If you need to  extend your stay in Australia , you are allowed to apply for another Visitor Visa (onshore) from within the country.

Australia Visitor Visa Requirements

Who requires a Visitor Visa?

Australia Visitor Visa is REQUIRED for all nationalities to enter Australia as a tourist, except for the below.

• New Zealand passport holders
• Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
• eVisitor Visa
• Those transiting in Australia for less than 72 hours and can get a Transit visa .

Documents required

To support your application, you can attach as many as 60 documents online. You don’t have to attach that many but the more documents you provide, the better your chances of approval.

You have to satisfy the Home Office that:

• You are who you say you are
• You are a genuine visitor who will not overstay or work illegally
• You are of good character and not have a criminal record
• You won’t be a burden to Australia’s healthcare system

To do this, attach as many of these documents as you can :

Identity documents

• Valid passport (must be valid for the duration of the stay)
• Valid National ID card (if from a country that issues them)
• marriage or divorce certificate;
• change of name documents;
• documents that show other names you have been known by
• Residence Permit/Visa (if residence and citizenship differ)
• One passport-size photo

Genuine visitor documents

• Itemized personal bank statements for the last 3 months. Aim to have at least 5000 AUD in your bank account. The money cannot be deposited suddenly and inexplicably – it should be from legitimate sources and savings over time.
• Tax returns
• Credit card statements
• their relationship to you
• the purpose of your visit and length of stay
• if you will be staying with them
• Proof of their funds (if they will be paying for your stay)
• Your plans or travel itinerary while in Australia  
• a letter from your employer stating you plan to return to your job
• proof that you study at a school, college or university in your home country
• proof that you have immediate family members in your home country
• proof that you own a house or other major assets in your home country;
• Confirmed return flight ticket;
• Health Insurance

At a later date, you may be required to obtain and submit the following:

• Medical Certificate
• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

All non-English documents (except for police certificates) must be translated into English and all documents’ copies (both original and translations) must be certified.

Photo requirements

You need one passport-size digital photo for the Visitor Visa application. The photo must meet the following requirements. 

• Taken in the last 6 months
• Showing your head and shoulders against a plain background
• Neutral facial expression with mouth closed, eyes open, and looking at the camera
• Religious head coverings are allowed but must not obscure the face
• Piercing is allowed but must not cause any reflections or shadows

There is no official guidance for the size and resolution of pictures uploaded online but the file type must be JPG. You will get to move the photo to position your face within a frame.

As long as the picture is clear, crisp, and not excessively big, it will be accepted.

Visitor visa fee

The Australian Tourist Visa application fee is 190 AUD , payable online.

You may also have to pay for:

• Health checks
• Police certificates

Processing time

Australian immigration reports that 50% of applications are processed in 7 days and 90% are processed in 21 days . These periods start after you submit your biometrics (if required).

Visitor Visa Application Process

How to apply

You must apply for your tourist visa online through the Immi Portal. Applying on paper is not possible for the visitor visa anymore. Follow the below steps:

• Go to the ImmiAccount portal and create an account
• Click on “New application” and pick “Visitor Visa (600)”.
• Enter your personal information, passport details, employment details and financial information
• Upload your documents such as passport, photo, etc.
• Pay the required visa fee
• Submit the application

The Visitor Visa is part of Australia’s biometrics program. If you apply for a Visitor Visa from any of the below countries, regardless of your nationality, you must give your biometrics.

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Kazakhstan 
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Saudi Arabia
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Korea
• United Arab Emirates

If you apply from one of these countries, you will receive an email informing you that you need to visit an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (ABCC) to have your biometrics collected. The biometrics are usually a face photo and fingerprint scan.

You must complete the biometrics procedure within 14 days of getting this email otherwise your application becomes void without a refund!

AABCs are typically managed by VFS Global. They charge a service fee for biometric collection. This fee depends on AABC and the country you are applying from.

For example, the biometric service at AABC in Dubai, UAE is AED 109.17. The biometric service fee at AABC in Manila, Philippines is PHP 557.

How to schedule biometric appointment?

Within 24 hours of applying for your Visitor Visa, you will receive an email with a biometric request letter from Home Affairs. Follow these steps to schedule your biometric appointment.

Find the nearest ABCC to you and follow the prompts to schedule your biometric appointment.

How to attend biometric appointment?

Follow the below steps to attend your biometric appointment at an AABC.

• Arrive at the AABC at least 15 minutes before your appointment time
• Original passport
• Biometric appointment confirmation
• Biometric fee receipt and
• Biometric request letter received in the email from Home Affairs
• Your facial photo is taken and your 10 fingertips are scanned

What if you can’t attend your appointment?

If you can’t make an appointment, you can reschedule your appointment up to 24 hours before your scheduled appointment date and time. You can reschedule up to 2 times.

What if you miss your appointment?

If you miss your scheduled appointment, you will lose the fee paid as the biometric fee is nonrefundable. You will also have to wait 24 hours to schedule a new appointment.

How to track status

You will receive the status of your application in your email. You can also track the status of the visa in your ImmiAccount.

How to download approved visa

When your Visitor Visa is approved, you will receive a grant letter in your email from Home Affairs. The grant letter is your Visitor Visa.

The Visitor visa is electronically linked to your passport, so you don’t need to download or print your Visitor Visa.

If you’re ever asked to show any proof, you can use the Grant Notification you received in your email. You can also download it from your ImmiAccount under “Visa Grant Details”.

How to check the validity of your Visitor Visa

The expiration date of your Australia eVisitor visa is indicated as “Must not arrive after” on the visa letter. If you lost your grant letter or don’t have a copy of your Visitor Visa, you can check the validity details on the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) portal by using either your Visa Grant Number or Transaction Reference Number.

Customer service

Refer to the Self-help Guidelines for information to troubleshoot any issues. If facing issues with your ImmiAccount or the Visitor visa application, contact customer service using the below webform

Web: ImmiAccount Technical Support Form

Procedure at the border

The Visitor Visa is digitally attached to your passport so you don’t need to print anything. When you enter Australia, simply present your passport and be ready to answer a few basic questions about your visit.

Eligible passport holders can use the Smart Gates for faster arrival and departure procedures.

All visitors including Australian citizens are required to fill out an Incoming Passenger Card on arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does it take to get an australian tourist visa.

It can take up to 3 weeks to get an Australian tourist visa, especially if submitting your biometrics. It can be faster or slower depending on where you are applying from, your circumstances and the number of documents you submit.

How hard is it to get a tourist visa to Australia?

It is easy to get a tourist visa to Australia if you submit a complete application with as many documents. You must convince the Home Office that you won’t overstay or break the conditions of the visa.

How much bank balance is required for Australia tourist visa?

Australian Home Office doesn’t specify the minimum bank balance required for a tourist visa. Your bank account must show continuous cash flow and not a lump sum deposited recently. 

Based on the reports from travelers reports and recommendations from embassies, you should aim for at least 5,000 AUD in your bank account when you apply.

Can you get a 3-year visitor visa to Australia?

Yes, you can get a 3-year visitor visa to Australia if are from an eligible country and meet the requirements. Australian Visitor Visa is issued for 6 months, 1 year or 3 years depending on your nationality and circumstances. For example, Indian nationals can get an Australian tourist visa valid for 3 years.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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How and When to Get a Visa to Visit Australia

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

US citizens can travel to many countries visa-free, but Australia isn't one of them. If you're thinking about traveling to Australia, you'll need to plan ahead and obtain valid travel documentation. Here's what you need to know before traveling to Australia as a US citizen with a US passport.

What Visa Do I Need?

The Australian government makes it easy to determine the visa you need with its Visa Finder website . This website asks three questions, the first of which is about the purpose of your trip (think: vacation, visiting relations, attending an event, doing business and seeking medical treatment, among others):

The next question asks the country of your passport:

And the final question asks how long you'd like to stay in Australia — either less than or more than three months.

Most travelers from the US will likely be eligible for an Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601) — also called an ETA — as I was for my most recent month-long trip.

This is because an ETA is available to US citizens visiting Australia for three months for reasons that fit into the following categories:

• Holiday or vacation
• Visit to see friends or family
• Select business activities such as general business or employment inquiries; investigate, negotiate, sign or review a business contract; or attend a conference, trade fair or seminar

Since most US citizens traveling to Australia will be traveling for one of these reasons (and, as a result, are eligible to apply for an ETA) I'll focus on ETAs available to US citizens with a US passport.

What Are the Requirements?

To apply for an ETA, you must:

• Have a valid passport from an eligible country (including the US).
• Apply while outside Australia.
• Wish to stay no longer than three months at a time (you must not study for more than three months, for example).
• Be free from tuberculosis.
• Not have any criminal convictions for which you have been sentenced for a total combined period of 12 months or more, whether or not you served the sentence(s).
• Have paid back any debt — of either yourself or your family — or arranged to pay back any debt to the Australian government.

How Much Does It Cost to Apply Online?

The ETA is free, but there is an online application service charge of 20 Australian dollars (about $14) per applicant. As US passport holders -- along with seven other nationalities -- must apply online, there's no escaping the online application service charge. The fees for my recent ETA applications coded as "Bills and Utilities" on my Chase Sapphire Reserve statement, so don't expect the fee to code as "Travel."

How Long Does It Take?

The Australian government says "processing time for this visa is not available" and that the visa may take longer to process if:

• You don't fill it out correctly
• It takes the Australian government additional time to verify your information

Most ETA applications are approved immediately, and those that need additional processing are usually handled within 24 hours. This being said, the Australian government recommends travelers get an approved ETA before booking any nonrefundable travel. Once an ETA is granted, it is valid for one year and allows multiple entries up to three months each.

How Do I Apply?

The online ETA application takes about five minutes to complete. To start an application, click "Apply for an ETA."

Step 1 : Select whether you need a Tourist ETA or a Business Visitor ETA, and certify that you are currently located outside Australia.

Step 2 : Enter your personal details, whether you have an alias, answer a question about your criminal record and enter your passport information.

Step 3 : Enter your address, phone number and email. Select whether you wish to receive communications by SMS and declare whether you hold any passports issued by other countries.

Step 4 : Confirm your information.

Step 5 : Pay the online service charge of 20 Australian dollars (about $14) using a credit card.

How Do I Check My Status?

Once you have submitted an online ETA application, you'll receive a response. The response may:

• Notify you that your ETA has been granted.
• Advise you that your application has been referred for further assessment. You can then check the status of your application after 12 hours by logging back into the ETA system and selecting the option "Check an ETA."
• Advise you to contact the nearest Australian visa office to make a new application.

My response came immediately in an email titled, "ETA Application for Australia [CLIENT-IN-CONFIDENCE] (PROD)" that confirmed my application had "been successful," my payment had been received, that I was now the proud holder of a "valid ETA for Australia" and that my ETA had been linked to my passport, so no additional documents would be required during the travel process.

What Do I Need to Print Before Travel?

Nothing. When your ETA is linked to your passport, it becomes available to both airline representatives as well as Australian immigration authorities. So, there's no need to print your confirmation once your ETA has been granted.

Other Questions

If you have other questions about ETAs, or other types of Australian visas, take a look at the Australian government's Visa Finder website . Questions such as how to combine multiple visa types if the purpose of your trip changes and what to do if you get a new passport are covered on the website.

Traveling to Australia soon? Here are some TPG articles that might be helpful:

• The Best Ways to Use Points and Miles to Fly from the US to Australia
• TPG Readers Reveal Their Favorite Points Hotels in Australia
• TPG Readers' Best Tips for Flying Around Australia
• 8 Australian Islands You Probably Haven't Heard of But Need to Visit

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How to check Australian visa application status online?

When you submit a visa application form at the Australian visa application center, you will receive an acknowledgment with a tracking number. You can use the reference number (VLN Number) on the receipt provided by the visa application center and your date of birth to track the Australian visa application status online. 

Also Read: Check visa status with passport number

Australian visa application status check

Here are the steps to check Australian visa application status online: 

•  As mentioned above, you should have the Reference Number (VLN Number), which you received when applying for an Australian visa, at the visa application center, to check the visa status.
• Enter the Reference Number (VLN) and your date of birth to track Australian visa status online . 
• Verify the reCAPTCHA and click on the ‘submit button’ to view the status of your Australian visa. 
• With this, you may be able to view only the current location of processing of your Australia visa application and not the exact stage of the application process.

You can track your application for an Australian visa online with the above steps only if you have applied for a visa at the Australian visa application center and got acknowledgment with a tracking number. 

If you filed an application for an Australian visa online using the ImmiAccount, you can track your visa application through the ImmiAccount only .

Australian visa application processing times

Here are the key points about Australian visa application processing times:

• The visa application processing times are updated monthly.
• For most visa categories, the processing times are available, excluding visas subject to capping and queueing, or those which have a low volume of applications. 
• The processing times depend on the period of visa applications finalised recently.
• Many applications which had been finalized were on-hand for some months while borders were closed.
• Once borders reopen, more applicants will be able to enter Australia, while many of the applications are being finalized.
• During the Covid-19 travel restrictions, applications of individuals eligible for a travel exemption were prioritized, such as students, humanitarian workers.   
• The Government of Australia publishes processing times in calendar days for 25, 50, 75, and 90 percent of applications finalised in the period. 

Processing times include applications filed online as well as by paper. You should make your best efforts to file your visa application online. It helps streamline processing arrangements. 

Covid-19 processing consideration

The Australian Government is doing its level best to process the applications of travelers who are exempt from travel restrictions, such as individuals working in sectors critical to Australia’s economic recovery due to unavailability of Australian workers, students, humanitarian workers, people employed in occupation on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL), etc.   

You can visit the Home Affairs’ COVID website for more information on travel restrictions and visa information.

NRIs living in Australia may have several India related queries. To ask any questions related to the rights of NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs, you can download SBNRI App from the Google Play Store or App Store. You can also use the SBNRI app for investment in stock market/ mutual funds, NRI account opening, tax filing, etc. To ask any questions, click on the button below. Also, visit our blog and YouTube channel for more details. 

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The processing time for visa processing varies depending on the type of visa you have applied for and other conditions. Click here to check the processing service standards for different types of visa applications.

Once your visa application has been assessed, you will receive an email about the decision. 

If you have an urgent need to travel to Australia, you can inform the staff at the Australian visa center at the time of application. Only cases with compelling circumstances will be given priority processing. Otherwise, you should file an application before the intended travel dates.

Once a decision has been made on your application, an email will be sent to you stating the outcome. If the visa has not been approved, you can print the message for your records. Now you don’t need an Australian visa label in your passport. Your details including passport and bio details will be stored electronically. 

Related posts:

• CEAC Visa Status Check: Check your US visa status online
• Visa Status: Check Visa Status with Passport Number
• How to Check Visa Status Online in Real Time
• How to Check your H1B Visa Status Online
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Tourist Visa 600 Delays - Further Assessment for more than 4 months

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Hi, I applied for a tourist visa for my mother in law and waiting for a visa for more than 4 months, any idea how long this will take to finalize. It's showing as a Further Assessment stage for more than 4 months. On the main page, it's showing as Arrange Biometrics even though we have already completed it. I verified with VFS Global and it's already submitted. All done including Health and Biometrics. Is anyone else facing a similar issue?  

There could be thousands in similar situations, but with visitors now being allowed to enter Australia again, these outstanding visas should begin to be finalised. I would guess that many visas were held back from finalisation until the restriction ended. Did you have a travel exemption in place for the visa application? From 21 February 2022 , all visa holders who are fully vaccinated for international travel purposes can travel to Australia without a travel exemption. Unvaccinated visa holders will still need to be in an exempt category or hold an individual travel exemption to enter Australia.  

JandE said: There could be thousands in similar situations, but with visitors now being allowed to enter Australia again, these outstanding visas should begin to be finalised. I would guess that many visas were held back from finalisation until the restriction ended. Did you have a travel exemption in place for the visa application? From 21 February 2022 , all visa holders who are fully vaccinated for international travel purposes can travel to Australia without a travel exemption. Unvaccinated visa holders will still need to be in an exempt category or hold an individual travel exemption to enter Australia. Click to expand...

Same here, I applied for a 600 Tourist Stream visa: Date applied : 28 Jan 2022 Exemption granted : 05 Feb 2022 No Medicals required Biometrics submitted 31st Jan 2022 Still waiting on "Further Assessment"  

Did you get your visa already? What's your timeline?  

Nope 😥 Date applied: 21 Nov 2021 Medicals & Biometrics - 08 Dec 2021 Updated I confirm provided additional details - 12 Dec 2021 Still waiting on "Further Assessment" 😥 😥 😥  

People's nationalities might make a difference to processing times, as some countries need further checks.  

I don't think this is the issue. I had a few friends from the same nationality confirmed who received their tourist visas in a short time.  

Is it because of the medicals? Most people I know didn’t have medicals and were approved in a few days/weeks… Where as for those who had medicals, it’s taking forever to be granted 😢  

Hey guys, got the Visa Grant!  

600 Sponsored family Date Applied: 28 Feb 2022 Date Medical check completed: 22 Mar 2022 Status : Received It's been 72 days from date applied and no information despite published processing times of 50 days for 90% of applications. I must be an outlier !  

Unfortunately the processing times quoted by Immigration may not give a clear figure of what to expect in the immediate months following the Australian borders opening to double vaccinated visitors. The latest processing times of "under 50 days for 90%" , was the figure for Subclass 600 Sponsored family visas finalised in March 2022. When the borders opened on 21 February, there could have been a massive number of applications waiting to be finalised, and we know that many staff members were off sick due to Covid. This would probably cause delays, especially in the Family Sponsored 600 stream. No one, other than some in the Immigration department, knows how many are still in the pipeline at the moment. We do know that there were 15,518 Subclass 600 family sponsored applications waiting at 31 December 2021. This was a massive rise from the 7,056 waiting at 31 December 2020. Processing times for any of these that were finalised on or after 21 February 2022 would be calculated from 21 February 2022, and not the actual lodging date. So; if 5,000 of those November and December applications were processed in March 2022, their times would be calculated from 21 February 2022, giving a processing time of under 40 days, even though some had actually waited up to 150 days. (4 months) Immigration will eventually catch up, but until then, more patience than normal will probably be required.  

Thanks JandE ! That makes sense. The 600 Tourist stream seems to be less impacted though. I know 2 cases who also applied around same time, one got approved within a week of medical, another took less than 3 weeks.  

The 600 tourist stream has less checking, possibly more automated acceptances?, and 25% took under 1 day in the March finalisations, with another 25% taking between 1 day and 6 days. Also, the number of applications in the tourist stream pipeline only rose by 19%, for the same period that the Family Sponsored rose by 118%.  

UK visa firm accused of government contract breach over sister company

Hi, Yes I'm pregnant and due in next month with my first baby, I'm also waiting for my mom's visa application(600 Family Sponsored ) and status is Further Assessment. Applied on 24th February and still waiting for the visa. Have submitted medical and biometrics in March. Called the home affairs and they are refusing to follow up or give an update ,not sure how to speed up the process.  

it's their norm not to disclose the status...  

APLLIED 24 MARCH BIO 28 STATUS FURTHER ASSESSMENT STILL WAITING  

Type - Visitor Visa (600) Date submitted - 26 May 2022 Status: Further assessment !!  

Has anyone been waiting longer than 4 1/2 months for a family sponsored 600 visa?  

Anyone?  

I have applied for family sponsored visa 600 on 25th Feb 2022 and still stuck at Received status. When did you apply?  

Date applied : 19 February 2022 Biometrics : 24 February Medical : 2 March Status : Further Assessment  

I applied in November 2021 and still in further assessment.  

Does the immigration specialist officer actually able to check your application unlike the ordinary officer who cannot check the application at all?  

I have called the immigration call centre few times, on one occasion, I got hold of specialist officer. She said she could only able to put a case note on the file and claimed she did, that was about month ago (June 8). However this didn’t make any difference and when I called them recently I was just told to wait forever as there is no escalation process here for applications, even if older than the std processing time.  

Whats the point of a specialist officer then? I havd lodged a complaint to the nsw ombudsman as a last hope. If that fails, Im just going to give up on this application  

Mine applied 19th Novemeber, Biometrics 25th November, no medical needed, still further assessment. Applicant is from Srilanka  

No I havent. I think its a canberra mailing address. Did you send and get a response? Was it unique or just a standard response  

I haven’t sent a letter as yet. If the visa doesn’t come within the next couple of weeks, then I will.  

AKD said: ¡Sí, recibí la visa el 7 de marzo! Buena suerte a todos. [/COTIZAR] me alegra por ti por que nosotros aplicamos para visa desde el 22 de enero del 2021 somos familia patrocinada mi mujer mi hijo y yo el 21 de febrero cambio a evaluacion adicional y ya hasta ahora tenemos un año y 6 meses esperando Click to expand...

Has anyone made a complaint to ombudsman from nsw and got a responss  

I received the grant letter yesterday after been waiting for 3 months.  

Congrats  

Hi, Applied for Tourist Visa 600 family sponsored for my mother on 19th May 2022. Medical submitted on 28th May 2022. Still, the status shown is Received. Tickets already booked for September last from India. Any idea, how long it takes for the Visa grant?  

No-one can be sure. Due to COVID-19, some visa processing times have been affected and applications may take longer to finalise. Previous processing times cannot be relied on.  

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Australia: How to speed up your visa application

To view or download the video, please click here .

One of the most time-consuming parts of the visa application process is waiting (sometimes seemingly endlessly) for a decision to be made.

While the time it takes for your visa application to be processed is out of your hands, there are steps you can take before submitting your visa that would give you the best chance of receiving a decision sooner rather than later, within the timeframes provided by the Department of Home Affairs .

Key reasons that cause delays

• Missing documentation
• Character and/or health issues
• Submitting multiple visa applications for the same type of visa

Steps for speeding up your visa application - getting it right the first time

' Check twice, submit once ' is the approach recommended by the Department in applying for visas and speeding up the process.

It would be best to submit your visa application without any missing documents. This ensures that the application is 'decision-ready'.

• Check through what the documents required are - check if any of the documents need to be official, original, translated and/or witnessed
• Allow yourself ample time to collect the required documents - documents such as police checks can sometimes take a while
• Check that all documents contain correct and current information - go over the spelling of names and dates (in dd/mm/yyyy format)
• Ensure that you only submit each type of visa once - if you realise you made a mistake in the application after submitting it, you can notify the Department and provide the correct information. Likewise, you can update your contact and address details.
• Ensure your contact details are up-to-date - please consent to receiving electronic communication from the Department by entering your email address into the visa application form. In the event that the Department requires further information from you, they will be able to reach you in a timely manner
• Engage an immigration expert to ensure that all documents are included and comply with the requirements for the visa - our qualified lawyers can provide you with personalised advice regarding your documents. Click to schedule a consultation .

How about character and health issues?

All visa applicants to Australia must be able to demonstrate that they meet the character test . Providing all required police checks with all your names and aliases included is a helpful first step. If you have a past conviction or record on your police check, you must declare it where it is asked on the application form.

Sometimes, supporting and explanatory documents can be submitted at the time of application to provide more context.

If you want expert advice and assistance with navigating a past criminal record, please schedule a consultation with one of our immigration lawyers.

Similarly, you must be honest when making completing the health questions in your visa application form. If you have or had a significant medical condition, you must provide documentation to explain how you meet the health requirements despite your condition.

Where a health examination is required by the Department of Home Affairs, ensure that you book an appointment in a timely manner.

Our qualified immigration lawyers will be able to provide you with advice on the types of documents you should provide where you have or had a significant medical condition.

If you follow all the above steps, you will be in the best position to receive an outcome on your visa application more quickly.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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Pacific Islanders can soon apply for permanent residency in Australia, so who's eligible and how will it work?

By Seni Iasona 

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Registrations for Australia's anticipated Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) is weeks away from opening, but which Pacific nations are eligible? And how does it work?

The Australian government jumped through the final hoop to open registrations to some Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste nationals   for its new visa from June 3, almost six months after Parliament legislated it.

The new, first-of-its-kind Australian permanent resident visa will clear the path for up to 3,000 people to migrate to Australia as permanent residents each year through a ballot process.

Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong said it's a move that follows "calls of Pacific leaders" as Australia plays "our part for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific".

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (DFAT) website says it comes after the government has consulted "extensively" with its Pacific partners to ensure the program meets "shared needs and priorities".

While not all Pacific nations are participating, Minister Wong said discussions are ongoing with other Pacific partners.

So, who is eligible?

Visa allocations for 2024 will be opened to ten countries:

• Federated States of Micronesia
• Papua New Guinea
• Solomon Islands
• Timor-Leste 

The department has allocated each nation with a number of visas, which is says is based on factors including the nation's population size, diaspora in Australia, existing migration opportunities, expected demand and "participating country views".

But not anyone from these nations can apply. Applicants must be aged between 18 to 45-years-old, hold a valid passport for the participating country and have been born in, or a have parent who was born in an eligible country.

Can I bring my family?

Yes, though only the partner of the applicant and their legally dependent children in their application.

How much will it cost? 

To apply for the PEV it will cost $AUD25 (about $PKG59 or $FJD37).

If the application is not successful, a new registration will need to be submitted the following year the ballot opens, which will require paying the fee again.

If successful, the buck won't stop at $AUS25. There will be fees and costs associated with obtaining a permanent resident visa, but also the cost of airfares and the general cost of moving countries.

Can I apply if I'm already in Australia? 

Yes, DFAT says an applicant holding a valid visa from inside Australia can apply.

How the ballot works 

The application for PEV will be throw into an online ballot through DFAT's ImmiAccount. The Department says it's an electronic random ballot process, and those who are drawn from the ballot will have to meet all of the eligibility requirements.

DFAT says the ballot system aims to be fair and transparent by randomly selecting ballot participants.

"This includes providing access to the ballot for existing Pacific Australia Mobility scheme (PALM) workers in Australia."

If you are a lucky enough to be randomly selected in the ballot, the applicant or their partner must secure a formal ongoing job offer in Australia and meet basic English requirements. Applicants also need to meet health and character requirements before a visa is granted.

What support will I receive if my application is successful?

The PEV includes support from DFAT, which it says is to provide a positive settlement experience to Australia.

If successful, permanent resident visa holder will also have access to Australia's health care system Medicare, public schools and Commonwealth supported university places.

"The Australian Government has also extended to Pacific Engagement Visa holders access to the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP), VET student loans (VSL), Youth Allowance (Student) and Youth Allowance (Apprentice) to support participation in study and training. There are no waiting periods for Pacific Engagement Visa holders to access these benefits," DFAT's website said.

"All Pacific Engagement Visa holders will also have free access to the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) and the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) Program which provides settlement-related information, advice, advocacy and assistance to access relevant services."

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