Visa
Information
How
do I apply
for a visitor
visa?
Application
forms can
be obtained
by contacting
your closest
Australian
Consulate,
Embassy or
High Commission.
You can also
apply in person.
How
long does
it take to
get a visa?
In person:
U.S. and Canadian
citizens can
generally
receive a
short-stay
visa while
they wait.
By mail: Allow
at least 21
working days.
Secure and
Express Mail
(not courier
services)
are recommended.
Do
I have to
pay a fee?
If you intend
to stay in
Australia
for three
months or
less, no application
processing
fee is payable.
However an
application
to extend
your stay
after arrival
will cost
A$135.
A US$24 or
CAN$30 processing
fee must also
accompany
an application
for a visitor
visa where
the intended
stay in Australia
is more than
three months.
Visas in this
category may
authorize
a stay for
up to an additional
three months.
Any further
extension
will cost
A$135. Longer
stay visas
are normally
for 3-6 months
stay
Visas generally
allow for
multiple entries
for a twelve
month period.
For the same
processing
fee of US$24,
or CAN$30,
you can apply
for a visa
valid for
four years
(or the life
of your passport
if this is
less than
four years).
You will then
not have to
reapply for
a visa each
year you wish
to visit Australia
in the next
four years.
How
long can I
stay in Australia?
As a visitor
you are expected
to apply for
a visa which
covers the
full period
of your intended
stay. Visitors
are generally
granted a
maximum of
six months
stay in any
one twelve
month period.
As a visitor
you are not
allowed to
be employed
or take formal
study in Australia.
Non-formal
study may
be taken for
up to three
months (but
there are
limitations
on extensions
for study
purposes).
How
should I lodge
my Visa Application?
The application
form must
be signed
by the applicant
personally.
All persons
traveling
on their own
passport must
complete an
application
form. Each
passport holder
will be Issued
with their
own visa.
Children under
I8 years of
age must provide
their birth
certificate
showing both
parents. Any
parent listed
on the birth
certificate
who is not
a visa applicant
along with
the child,
must provide
notarized
consent to
the child
traveling
Or evidence
that they
will accompany
the child
(travel bookings
and notarized
copy Australian
or NZ passport
or valid visa
for Australia.
When applying
by mail, include
a stamped
self-addressed
envelope large
enough to
enable the
return of
your passport.
(t is your
responsibility
to ensure
that the envelope
you submit
bears the
necessary
postage markings
to enable
return of
your passport
by certified
registered,
express or
special-delivery
mail. Applying
by first class,
certified
or registered
mail can take
up to 21 days
in some parts
of North America.
Secure, Express
Mail is recommended
(US Postal
Express pre-paid
is ideal).
A number of
offices are
unable to
use UPS or
other couriers
services.
There are
often additional
processing
requirements
non-US and
non-Canadian
citizens (including
evidence of
status and,
where applicable,
right of re-entry
to the USA.
Please check
with your
local Consulate
and generally
allow more
time for processing.
What
about Working
Visas &
Immigration:,
Temporary
working visas
can usually
be obtained
by people
sponsored
by companies
or an employer
in Australia.
Permanent
entry is generally
restricted
to those people
who pass a
rigorous points
test, unless
you are being
sponsored
as a spouse
or fiancee,
or dependent
child.
For further
details go
to
Department
of Immigration
and Multicultural
Affairs
contact your
closest Australian
Consulate,
Embassy or
High Commission
or
their main
website at
http://www.immi.gov.au/
