Whether you are visiting Australia for tourism, study, or business purposes, it is crucial to ensure you meet all of the Australian government’s customs requirements. This includes choosing the correct visa, providing the right travel documents, and fulfilling all of your visa conditions. In this article, we will discuss the most up-to-date information about receiving Australian visas.
General Visa Requirements for Australia
No matter if you are arriving to visit family or study at an Australian university, almost all applicants will need to meet these requirements. Apply well in advance and have all your paperwork when you arrive at the airport.
Valid Passport
Everyone, including Australian citizens, must have a valid passport. While many countries have a six-month rule, meaning that passports must be valid for at least six months after they intend to leave the country, Australia does not have as strict of passport validity.
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. However, passport holders should be aware that if you attempt to leave Australia with an expired passport, you may have to visit your country’s consulate for help or be granted a temporary passport. As such, you should ensure that you request a new passport well before you intend to travel overseas.
Visa Application Form
The Australian Department of Home Affairs has made it simple to complete the visa application process online for most visas. In certain circumstances, such as applying for permanent residency after receiving a temporary visa, you may need to complete a paper application.
To apply, you will create an ImmiAccount, select the visa you would like to apply for, and then submit the specific information that the application requests, such as a scan of your passport or other travel document and your contact details. You’ll then pay a visa fee.
If necessary, you will be prompted to schedule a biometric appointment at a visa office, where they will take your fingerprints and a photo.
If Australian authorities require further information, you will receive a secure message requesting additional documents. Once your visa has been approved, you’ll receive either a sticker for your passport or an electronic visa.
Health Requirements
For visas where you intend to stay in Australia for a significant amount of time, the Australian government wants to ensure you will not need costly medical treatment. As such, you must pass the health requirement, typically proven by undergoing a medical exam and receiving a clean bill of health.
For permanent residents and citizens of countries where tuberculosis is endemic, you’ll also need a chest X-ray to prove you are not a risk to the Australian public.
Character Requirements
Australian officers want to ensure that you do not pose a risk to anyone in Australia, so they may request a police certificate to demonstrate that you have not been in legal trouble before. You will receive this from a police authority in your country of residence.
Evidence of Sufficient Funds
You must also demonstrate that the government will not need to assist you financially while you are in the country. Your application will inform you how much you must have for entry; for example, it may ask for bank statements proving a sum of at least AUD 5000 across all your accounts.
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement
Also known as the Genuine Student Requirement, this is typically for student visas and is meant to demonstrate that you intend to leave the country after completing your course.
This will have a written component asking why the person wants to study in Australia, and it will also ask for transcripts, evidence of enrolment in an Australian university, and any work history. You may also be asked for international movement records if you have previously left your country for other purposes.
Specific Visa Category Requirements to Enter Australia
While each Australian visa will generally list these requirements, certain categories will need additional details. This includes the following categories.
Visitor Visas
A visitor visa allows you to remain in Australia for up to 12 months, though it is usually only for 3 months. Yothree cannot work while you are there. This is the preferred option for those who want to visit family or attend events. A business visitor visa is best for those who are in the country for business purposes, like negotiating contracts.
You may be able to study for up to 3 months, and if you get a multiple-entry visa, you can re-enter Australia multiple times. If you are going on a round-trip cruise that departs from Australia, the time you are in transit counts as time spent in Australia.
To be eligible for this visa, you must prove that you intend to leave Australia at the end of your visa and that you have the funds to sustain yourself.
Student Visas
To enter Australia, those on a student visa must show a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), showing that they have been accepted into a specific course in an accredited university. They must also demonstrate that they have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which is a specific type of health insurance for students. Additionally, you must prove English language proficiency through a test.
Work Visas
If you have a job offer from an Australian company, your employer will need to submit a sponsorship form on your behalf. Those applying for a skilled worker visa must receive a certain amount of points on a skills assessment to qualify. Additionally, everyone must prove English language proficiency through a test, though a citizen or permanent resident from certain countries, like the US, is exempt.
Family Visas
There are several types of family visas, such as those for partners, parents, and children of an Australian citizen or permanent resident. You must prove your relationship with the citizen, and they must sponsor you. On your application, you will need details from the sponsor, such as documents from the Australian passport office and evidence of your connection with them. For example, partners of Australian citizens must show that they have a genuine and ongoing relationship through things like marriage certificates or shared bank accounts.
Other Visa Categories
There are also other visas, such as skilled migration, business visas, investor visas, and humanitarian visas. For these, you must demonstrate that you meet the requirements, such as investing a certain amount of money into an Australian business or having legitimate refugee status.
Supporting Documents for a Valid Australian Visa
To enter Australia, you may need a variety of different documents demonstrating why you intend to come and that you have the necessary qualifications. This includes the following.
Evidence of Employment or Studies
You may be asked to prove you have the necessary qualifications for your intended purpose. This includes:
- Certificate of Enrolment (CoE)
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Employment offer
- Tax returns showing business activity
- Employment contracts
- Correspondence with universities
Travel History
You may be asked for international movement records from Australia if you have visited before, which can show your movements in and out of Australia. Your passport or biometric data will have evidence of your other travels, such as visas and stamps. However, if you have trouble, you can seek records from the consulates of countries you have visited before.
Police Clearance Certificates
If you are of legal age and intend to stay in Australia for more than a few months, you must be granted a police clearance certificate from anywhere that you have lived for more than 12 months.
This criminal record generally must be requested from the local authorities, but you can also contact the Australian Department of Home Affairs if you need additional help.
Medical Reports
Those seeking student, family, or business visas must show that they will not be a drain on the Australian healthcare system by acquiring their medical reports. Many choose to have a medical exam done by a travel doctor, which can then be attached to your application.
Translations and Certifications
Any documents that are not in English must receive an official translation. You will contact a local approved translator to provide a certified copy of all documents.
Additional Requirements When You Want to Visit Australia
There are additional considerations for those wanting to visit Australia, particularly for minors and children.
Minors
Those under the legal age of majority must have a parental consent document demonstrating that their guardians have approved their trip.
Dependents
For dependents, you must demonstrate their relationship to the primary applicant, such as by birth certificates or adoption forms.
Previous Australian Government Visa Refusals
If you were previously rejected for a visa, you may need to provide information as to why you were rejected, such as the denial letter from the Australian government. Otherwise, you may be denied again due to concerns that you will break immigration laws.
In this situation, it is best to speak to an immigration lawyer, who will help to convey why you should be approved despite the previous denial.
Summary
To ensure a smooth application process for an Australian visa, provide all the information requested on the application as clear photocopies, and pay attention to processing times so that you receive your approval well before your trip. If you have any trouble, you can always contact a migrant expert or immigration lawyer to guide you through the process and help you avoid common errors, like inaccurate information or missing details.