Overseas visitors for the holiday season - the time is now!
Overseas visitor arrivals to Australia tend to hit a peak over the summer months from December to February, which also coincides with the Christmas and New Year holiday season. With only 8 weeks to go, there is still time for those who are planning to come to Australia during this period but haven’t yet applied for their visitor visas. Here are some of the most important things to remember when applying to visit Australia.
Valid passport
All overseas visitors to Australia will require a valid passport. The country of your passport will also determine which type of visitor visa you would be eligible to apply for. The Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601) is one type of visitor visa that is valid for 12 months and permits visits of up to 3 months on each visit. Passport holders from 33 eligible countries can apply for this visa. The e-visitor visa (Subclass 651) is another type of visitor visa. Passport holders of 35 eligible European countries can apply for this visa. All other passport holders will need to apply for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600).
Funds to visit Australia
One of the main requirements is to show that you have sufficient funds to pay for your visit to Australia. Examples of some of the evidence that can be provided include a bank statement, payslips, income statements, credit card statements or any proof of financial support from a person or organisation in Australia. Also, if you have already purchased your return air tickets to Australia or if you already have organised accommodation for your stay, evidence of this will also show that you have adequate means to support your stay.
Incentives to return home after your visit
The purpose of a visitor visa is to provide a way for people to genuinely travel to Australia for short and temporary visits. A major part of the processing is to determine whether a visa applicant has genuine intentions to stay in Australia temporarily. Proof of your intentions to visit Australia temporarily include the following circumstances in your home country:
Ongoing employment
A history of financial savings that is consistent with income earned
Enrolment in school or tertiary education
Ownership of significant assets such as land, property or a business
The presence of immediate family members and responsibilities
Previous history of visits to Australia and other countries
Compliance with the conditions of previous visas to foreign countries
Stable civil and economic conditions within the country
Thus, any evidence that demonstrates all or any of the above circumstances should be included in an application for a visitor visa.
Other documents worth including
It’s always good to include other proof of your identity such as a national ID card, driver’s licence, birth certificate or marriage certificate with your visitor visa application. In addition to this, if you have family or friends in Australia that you plan on visiting or staying with, having them provide an invitation letter will also strengthen your application. If you will be joining an organised tour in Australia, a copy of the itinerary and schedule can also be attached to the visa application.
How long will it take?
The processing time for visitor visas vary depending on the type of visitor visa and individual cases. Currently, the e-visitor visa (Subclass 651) can take as little as 2 days from the time the application is submitted to the time a decision is made. On the other hand, the processing time for the visitor visa (Subclass 600) can be anywhere from 19 to 26 days. Failing to submit any relevant documents can result in further delays. Given these estimated times, it would be ideal for applications to be lodged as soon as possible to ensure you arrive in Australia in time for the holiday season.
How we can help with applying for a visitor visa
The benefit of engaging the services of a Registered Migration Agent to handle a visitor visa application is that we can ensure that any gaps or weaknesses in your visa application are addressed, and comprehensively supported by relevant evidence and documents. The team at Titan Migration are ready to take your call. Contact us or book a consultation online with a registered migration agent.
About Peter Chang
Peter Chang is a registered migration agent based in the Western Sydney hub of Parramatta, Australia. He is the co-founder of Titan Migration, a consultancy specialising in providing Australian immigration advice and visa assistance services.
Read Peter’s full profile