Frequently

Asked
Questions
Tourist Visa’s

V1.3 - January 2019

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 Why should I lodge online?
Lodging online means the application can be completed from any location 24
hours a day, 7 days per week. It is also received by the Department directly
from you.
It also allows you to check the current requirements and information from our
website at the same tme.
You can also access ImmiAccount, which is the 'front door' to our online
services. It allows you to:

 Apply for a visa or citizenship online from anywhere in the world at

any time of day.
 Access the My Health Declarations service
 Continue a saved online application
 Attach documents to an online application
 Consent to using eMedical and answer medical related questions
where required
 Check the progress of an online application
 Update application details online
 Access Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) (organisation
accounts only)
 Withdraw a visa application
.

1. How do I contact the Department to arrange a

group or incentive tour to Australia?
 You may email the India Business mailbox.
india.businessvisas@dfat.gov.au
 We will then contact you to assist you to;
o Lodge and be processed as a group
o Keep track of all applications
o Identify common criteria
o Identify a contact point

2. Can I check the progress of my online application?

Yes, but not by contacting the Department. You can check the progress of your
online application using your ImmiAccount on My applications summary page or
on application details page. You can find out the current Global Visa and
Citizenship Processing standards here:
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about/access-accountability/service-
standards/global-visa-citizenship-processing-times

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3. Can I change the answers / declerations in my
current application through my ImmiAccount?
You can edit your application in your ImmiAccount up until you submit it to the
department for processing. If you realise after you have submitted your application
that you have made a mistake, you can complete a notification of incorrect
answers online form within ImmiAccount.

4. Can I use online forms in ImmiAccount to update

my details?
Yes, there are different ways through which you can notify the Department of any
changes.
The following online forms are available in ImmiAccount in the Related Links field
and should be used if you need to update details after your ImmiAccount
application has been submitted.These include:

 Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (including

migration agent)
 Change of address details
 Change of passport details, and
 Notification of changes in circumstances

The Completed forms can then be attached to an in progress application via

Attach Documents functionality .

5. Your passport details have changed

You can tell us about changes in your passport details in 2 ways.

Applied online - You can update your passport details in ImmiAccount on the
'update us' tab.. Not all details can be updated online in ImmiAccount such as changes
to date of birth or gender.

Applied on paper or unable to update online - If you applied on paper or can't

update your details online, complete Form 929 - Change of address and/or passport
details form (172KB PDF).

Fast Track service

The Fast track service is a premium service providing priority processing to certain
Visitor visa (subclass 600) applicants.
The Fast Track service is available to eligible passport holders from China, India or
the United Arab Emirates who apply for either the Tourist or Business Visitor
stream of the Visitor visa (subclass 600). Requests for the Fast Track service must
be made at the time of application.

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 6. Where can I make a Fast Track request online?
Visitor visa applicants who are applying online can request the Fast Track service
before making a final payment by agreeing to Fast Track terms and conditions.
Applicants who request this service must pay the Fast Track fee of AUD 1000 in
addition to the visa application charge.

7. Is there a guarantee that the visa application will be

finalised within 48 hours?
The majority of Fast Track applications will be finalised within 48 hours of being
received by the Australian High Commission. However, all applicants must meet
the legal requirements set out in migration legislation for the grant of a visitor visa,
including the requirement that applicants undertake and meet relevant health,
character and security checks. If further information is required in relation to an
application, then it may not be finalised within 48 hours.

8. Can I request a Fast Track after my application has

been submitted ?
Requests to use the Fast Track Service must be made at the same time as
lodging the visa application form. The Department cannot accept requests to use
the Fast Track after your application has been submitted .

9. Transit Visa’s
 Apply online only
 be outside Australia and have a confirmed booking to travel to another
country within 72 hours of arriving in Australia and the correct documents to
enter that country
 if you are joining the crew of a non-military ship, be outside Australia and
hold a Maritime Crew visa and the necessary crew documents
 Nil fee
 Transit visa not required for holders of Indian Diplonmatic or Official
passports.

Common visa requirements

10. What requirements must applicants under 18
meet ?
Applicants under the age of 18 must prove that both their parents or legal
guardians consent to the grant of the visa. Identity documents for both
parents/guardiians and the minor must be supplied to verify this persmission.

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 If only one parent has custody this must be proven by supplying a document from
the relevant legal authority (usually a court of law).
Claims made regarding other scenarios must be proven by supplying evidence
from the relevant legal authority.

11. Character requirements

We will not grant you a visa if there is a risk you will:

- engage in criminal conduct

- harass, molest, intimidate or stalk another person
- vilify a segment of the Australian community
- incite discord in the Australian community
- be a danger to the Australian community

When applying:
declare all criminal offences
truthfully answer all questions
provide all requested information

If you have criminal convictions or an ongoing criminal matter we will conduct an

assessment on the merits of each circumstance.

Be truthful in your application. We consider all circumstances of a case. Even if

you do not meet the character requirements, we, or the Minister for Home Affairs
can choose to grant your visa. If you are not completely honest about your criminal
history, we may refuse your application.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/character

12. How much money do I need to show ?

There is no prescribed amount or set formulae.

We assess each persons financial circumstances as part of a holistic view of the

applicants reasons and capacity visit to Australia.

Applicants need to demonstrate that they have access to the money needed for the
visit, the intended activities and associated costs.

We also take into account the applicants personal financial and employment situation
when considering our assessment of their intentions to undertake a genuine
temporary visit and also their liklyhood of complying with their visa conditions.

Every applicants circumstances are individual and so is the evidence required. Tell
us your circumstances and support your claims with evidence from official sources.

13. Just a visit ?

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 Although you may have a long validity visa, you can not maintain residency in
Australia on visitor visa’s. If you would like to live in Australia or stay longer than a
short visit check out the options on our website.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/

14. How can I supply further information

In a small amount of cases the Department will contact you with a request for
further information to support your application. You can upload the requested
information via Immiaccount.

Health
15. I submitted an application online . How do I
determine if I’m required to undertake a health
examination ?
If you have applied online for your visa you can check if you need to complete
health examinations in the 'View health assessment' tab in ImmiAccount.
Otherwise, you will be advised by email what examinations you need to do (if any).
You will then be requested to complete these examinations within a certain time
period.
To minimise processing delays, you should complete your required health examinations as soon as
possible.

16. How do I Initiate medicals before lodgement?

Through Immiaccount, you are able to link your application to your My Health
Declarations.
Additional steps will be required if a significant health condition is identified during
immigration health examinations.
You will not be advised of your results until after you have lodged a visa
application. If a significant health condition is identified by a Medical Officer of the
Commonwealth as part of the immigration health assessment process, a final
opinion on your case will also not be provided until you have lodged a visa
application

Some useful tips for online lodgements

1. Provide all pages of passport (front & back) in all applications.
2. You can apply for your visa before making travel arrangements. Please see the
Global Visa and Citizenship Processing times for an indication of how long your
visa application will take. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about/access-
accountability/service-standards/global-visa-citizenship-processing-times

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3. While attaching entry/exit stamps of current or expired passports, either scan the
stamp pages together or if attaching single files, name the file mentioning the
country’s name. For example: UK visa stamps, US visa stamps, Mauritius visa
stamps. These do not need to be certified or notarised.
4. Clear copies of all documents to avoid further request of documents due to clarity
issues (especially passport copies to clearly indicate applicant’s bio details and
photograph). These do not need to be certified or notarised.
5. Families or groups to be lodged together under group processing. Applicants are
encouraged to lodge as a group where they are travelling with any number of
companions.
6. Do not forget to check the health assessment tab on Application to determine if
medicals required for your case or not. To ensure quick decisions, organise health
examinations through ImmiAccount (where ever applicable) as soon as the
application is lodged.
7. Signatures on Form 1229 from parents need to exactly match their signatures from
the identity documents provided.
8. If you are having technical problems loding online contact the ImmiAccount
Technical Support team.
 ImmiAccount FAQs - https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Immi
 ImmiAccount Technical Support Team -
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/visa/immi/immiaccount-technical-
support-form
9. Please keep up to date with changes in the Department of Home Affairs by
checking the website regularly:
 Website - https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/
 What’s new - https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about/news-media/whats-
new
 Systems Maintenance - https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/visa/syst
 Common error messages -
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/visa/comm

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