UPDATE: New Arrangements for Onshore and Offshore Visitor (Class FA) Visa Application
On 28 September 2021, the Australian Government released the updated Visitor Visa Australia Application arrangement. Sandra Jeffery, delegate of the Minister, made the instrument under sub-regulation 2.07(5) and item 1236 of Schedule 1 to the Migration Regulations 1994.
The purpose of the instrument is to update the approved form, place and manner (‘the arrangements’) requirements for making a Visitor visa Australia application (Class FA subclass 600). The Subclass 600 tourist visa is the only subclass for the Class FA visa. It has five streams: the Tourist stream, the Sponsored Family stream, the Business Visitor stream, the Approved Destination Status stream and the Frequent Traveler stream. The instrument specifies the arrangements for making a visa application for each stream.
Find more details below:
Current Visitor Visa Australia Application Arrangement
The Department of Home Affairs provides two types of Australian visa applications, namely online application and paper-based application. The online application is done by submitting an online application form through an online platform called ImmiAccount. Meanwhile, the paper-based applications are usually submitted by sending the application form to the Department’s postal address.
At the moment, a Visitor Visa Australia application can be submitted both by online application or paper-based application. Generally, the Australian Visitor Visa holders who are currently staying in Australia can submit a paper-based application to extend their Visitor Visa.
Find more about Visitor Visa Australia here.
Updated Visitor Visa Australia Application Arrangement
Following the updated arrangement announced on 28 September 2021, the new arrangement for Visitor Visa Australia application will commence in two phases:
1. Phase 1 – from 30 September 2021
In the phase 1, offshore Visitor Visa Australia application for all streams must be submitted through online application via ImmiAccount. Meanwhile, the application for tourist stream made onshore can be submitted through online application via ImmiAccount or by posting the application form to the Sydney office. The courier option will no longer be available. You can post the application form to the Department of Home Affairs postal address below:
Department of Home Affairs
Onshore Visitor Visa Processing
GPO Box 9984
Sydney NSW 2001.
2. Phase 2 – from early 2022
In the phase 2, Visitor Visa Australia application for Tourist stream made onshore or offshore must be submitted through online application via ImmiAccount.
Read more: Australians Might Be Able To Travel Outbound In November, UK Will Be The First Route
Why did the DHA Update the Application Arrangement?
The updated Visitor Visa Australia application arrangement aims to put a transition towards delivering information and services via digital platforms. The Department of Home Affairs believes this service is simpler, clearer and faster. There are some benefits to submit a Visitor Visa Australia application through ImmiAccount, including:
- Apply online at any convenient time;
- Lodge online applications by yourself or get help from authorized person or registered migration agent;
- Attach your document online;
- Check your application status, correct mistakes or update your details at any convenient time.
Most Australian visas are available only through online application, for example, Student Visa, Skilled Visa, Partner Visa, and a range of other temporary visas.
Read more: New Face For Australia International Border: DPD (Digital Passenger Declaration) Will Come In Effect
What does it mean to you?
If you are currently onshore and would like to submit a Visitor Visa Australia application, now you have two options; online application or paper-based application. If you prefer an online application, you must create an ImmiAccount first before lodging the application. However, if you prefer a paper-based application, please be noted that you could post the application form only to the Sydney office.
The updated arrangement for Visitor Visa Australia application which allows you to submit an online application will surely give a lot of benefits. The benefits include you can submit the application any time and you can maintain your application anywhere at any time. Additionally, sometimes a Visitor Visa Australia application requires personal documents such as identity documents, proof of your residential address, etc., with the online application, your documents will be directly sent to the Department of Home Affairs, meaning your personal documents will be 100% safe and private.
Ready to submit a Visitor Visa Australia Application?
Submitting a visitor visa/ tourist visa application through online platform might confuse you, but don’t worry! ONE derland Consulting is ready to help you in submitting an online application for all Australian Visa subclasses!
We fully understand that applying for a visa to Australia is certainly very complicated. It is even more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our visa specialists at ONE derland Consulting will help you assess your visa options. We have a 98% success rate and are one of Australia’s most highly recommended migration agents. Read our 4.9* score customer reviews.
We are complex visa specialists. As registered Australian migration agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are regulated in our professional practice and bound by the profession’s Code of Conduct issued by the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Take the first step and get in touch with us. Our team members are professional, honest and speak various languages such as Mandarin/ Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Japanese, Polish, German and Russian. Contact us through email at [email protected] or via phone on 1300 827 159. Alternatively, you may book your consultation online, and it is 100% refundable if you become our client.