3.3.1 Visas For Foreigners in Australia
Description
This article is from the soc.culture.australian FAQ, by Stephen Wales with numerous contributions by others.
3.3.1 Visas For Foreigners in Australia
[Using information obtained June 1994]
* Application for a visitor visa to Australia in the US
All Applicants require:
- a valid passport containing at least 2 blank "visa" pages
- completed and signed Application form 48
- one passport-type photograph
- return postage (if applying by mail)
[RLW] A photograph is no longer required and the instructions ask for a
stamped self-addressed envelope in addition with proper return postage.
Also, they now accept a FedEx airbill with your account number for
return of your passport - see later section on mailing
If you are a foreign passport holder (i.e. not US or Australian)
- all of the above
- Alien Registration card or valid visa, I-94 or I-20
[RLW] Additionally, they also require:
If you are a non-EEC/Canadian passport holder, information on your
family disposition (ie countries where your parents, children and
siblings live.
If applying for an extended stay (i.e. more than 3 months or 4 year validity)
- US$27.00 bank check or money order payable to "Australian Government
Impreset Account" as processing fee. (NB-not refundable regardless of
the outcome) [check this figure at the time of application...it frequently
goes up]
[RLW] Instructions I have say the money order should be in the name of
"The Australian Consulate-General".
- evidence of funds (i.e. bank statement)
[RLW] Currently US$1500/month of stay
- letter of leave from employer stating the length of approved leave
and the proposed date of recommencement of employment
- itinerary or airline ticket
- proposed plans whilst in Australia and on return to USA
[RLW] Additionally, if over 70 years of age, doctor's certificate regarding
fitness to travel and medical insurance.
If traveling on business
- brief letter from employer or company explaining business activities,
duration of stay and contact in Australia
If under age 18 traveling on own or with one parent
- notarised letter of consent from both parents or legal guardians
[RLW] They've changed the wording on this to:
If under age 18 at time of application:
1. A copy of birth certificate showing both parents, AND
2. Notarized letter of consent from any parent not accompanying -
Required if that parent has any access or visitation rights, even if
the accompanying parent has full custody. (Death certificate
should be provided for any parent who is deceased). Parents
accompanying the child, but not applying for a visa with the child
need to show either a valid visa for Australia or an Australian/NZ
passport
There is an additional section:
Long life visas:
Regular travelers to Australia for a visa for up to 4 years travel (or life
of passport if expiring in less than 4 years):
Payment of $US27
If answered "YES" to any health conditions
- if a "minor" condition, provide a brief statement outlining condition
- if a more "serious" condition (eg diabetes), provide a recent
medical report on your health now and for your proposed period of stay
in Australia
If answered "YES" to any character questions
- statement outlining any convictions, sentence, dates and relevant factors
Occasionally our computers do random checks and requires some
applicants to complete an additional information form. Once the form
is completed and returned to this office, processing takes 7-10 days.
How to obtain your visa
You can apply for your visa by mail, by using a visa service/travel agent, or
in person at an Australian Consulate.
In person
Visas van normally be issued on the spot to US passport holders who apply in
person during office hours (ie before 12pm Monday-Friday). Occasionally
there is a need for longer processing, so it is advisable to apply at least
one week before your planned travel if possible. Non-US citizens usually
require several days processing.
By mail
To apply by mail, enclose the completed visa application form, passport (and
fee payment if appropriate), with a self-addressed, return envelope with
sufficient postage for the safe return of your passport.
As regular mail is often insecure of delayed, we strongly recommend that you
use US Post Office pre-paid express mail for the despatch and return of your
passport. We are also able to return passports via Federal Express if you hae
an account number - we ask that you enclose a return airbill completed with
name and address details and account number. (Certified mail should also be
secure but is extremely slow - often taking 21 days to arrive). We are unable
to return by registered mail. This office cannot be responsible for the loss
or delay of passport where the applicants do not provide postage for the
secure return of their documents.
As a guide to correct postage please provide: First class mail: minimum of
55c per passport; certified mail - stamps to the value of $1.75 per passport;
Express mail - stamps to the value of $10.75 for up to 3 passports.
Allow 3 weeks for processing of a visa by mail (or more if you are using a
slow form of mail such as first class or certified mail).
* Application form 48 Explanatory notes
[Some things already included above left out]
Form to be used to apply for visa to visit Australia for any
of the following purposes;
Tourism: for a visit to Australia as a tourist
Business: For entry to conduct business, undertake negotiations
and discussions or attend seminars, etc, within a short stay.
Close Family: for a visit to parents, spouse, child, brother or sister
who is an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident.
Medical: for people who have made prior arrangements to undergo medical
treatment or consultations in Australia
Other:
- for a parent or guardian of an overseas student studying in Aus
- visiting fiance or other family
- an unaccompanied child under 18 years
- extended tourism
Where there are several reasons for seeking to enter Australia,
identify primary purpose of stay on the form.
This application form can be used to apply for Short Term Visit Visa
(classes 670-675) for stay of less than 3 months
or a Visit Visa (classes 680-685) if you want to stay for more than 3
month on any one visit (A$30 processing fee). [again, check the fee]
Do not use this form for settlement, temporary residence, studies
(except incidental studies), or transit.
You may get a visitor visa only if you:
- are intending a genuine visit to Australia
- are of good health (except medical visitors)
- are of good character
- do not have any restrictions on your travelling to
Australia (such as having breached conditions of entry on a previous visit)
- have adequate funds to support yourself during your visit,
or provide evidence of assurance of support from a permanent resident
of Australia; and
- are not seeking to remain permanently in Australia.
Business Visit.
Visitors are generally barred from working in Australia, however,
business visitors are permitted to conduct business where the work is
of a short term nature and is not going to disadvantage a local
resident. Persons not usually included within this, or other visitor
provisions are entertainers coming to perform and religious workers
entering for religious activities.
Study. Visitors may undertake study in Australia provided it is:
- non-formal or recreational in nature,
- incidental to the purpose of the visit.
Visit for Medical Treatment.
Pre-conditions for this visa include confirming your condition will
not affect the health of others; having adequate funds to pay for the
full cost of treatment and having made adequate arrangements with those
providing the treatment.
Medical Report
Visitors applying for classes of entry other than medical treatment
just be of sound health, free from any disease or condition which is
likely to require significant care or treatment and/or not become a
significant charge on public funds. If there is any doubt about your
health, a recent medical report or statement from your doctor, will be
required to confirm your good health. If you already have a medical
report, please attach it to the application form.
Conditions: When you are in Australia as a visitor,
- you will not be allowed to undertake work unless you
have prior approval in writing of the Department of Immigration
and Ethnic Affairs in Australia
- you will not be allowed to do a formal course of study
Further periods of stay in Australia
If you apply for a Short Term Visit Visa (classes 670-675) you will
not be able to obtain a further period of stay in that class after
arrival (beyond a total stay of 3 months). Extensions beyond that
period involve a change of visa class and an increased charge.
If you apply for a Visit Visa you may be able to obtain a further
period of stay in Australia as a visitor where the need and adequate
funds can be demonstrated. If you believe you have a case for extending
your stay, you will need to apply to an office of the Dept of Immigration
and Ethnic Affairs before your period of authorised stay expires.
Among the circumstances the Dept considers are the applicant's record
of compliance with the conditions of entry. A fee is payable when
the application is lodged.
Leaving Australia: you must leave Australia on or before the date your
entry permit expires. A departure tax is payable when you leave
Australia.
[MJ] The departure tax is presently A$25 and is payable
however you leave Australia. This is a "tax" and is paid to the
government. It does not (directly) pay for airport maintenance/
expansion as is the case in some other countries. It is payable at
the airport and can also be paid in advance at places like post offices.
I believe that this tax is shortly to be increased by a couple of
dollars and that people are going to have to be required to pay
it when they buy their air ticket (a much more sensible arrangement,
IMHO)
[TT] As of January 1, 1995 the tax is $27. As of July 1, 1995, the
tax is included in the ticket price.
Healthcare. Overseas visitors are not generally covered by Medicare,
private health insurance or travel insurance with a comprehensive
health coverage is recommended.
Currency requirements. Any person taking or sending Australian and/or
foreign currency equivalent of AU$5,000 or more into or out of
Australia must report the currency transfer to Customs, at the time of
arrival or departure. There is no limit to the amount of currency
taken into or out of Australia. Currency means cash -- coins and
paper, not traveller's cheques. Penalties for not reporting are
severe and non-reported currency may be seized.
* Migrating to Australia (957i January 1994)
Everyone who is not an Australian or New Zealander needs a visa for
Australia.
[MJ] Not everyone thinks that this is a great policy, as foreign countries
tend to take this as an insult and require visas of Australians.
Often they issue single entry visas and charge significant amounts
of money (tourist visas to visit Australia are free), which can
be a real nuisance if you are an Australian trying to see the world.
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