Applying for a visa

How do I apply for a visa to enter and/or stay in Australia?

To make a valid application for a visa for Australia, you must:

• indicate the type or class of visa which you want,

• use the correct form,

• pay the required charge (where applicable), Whatever the outcome of your application, the charge is non-refundable. There may be other costs associated with the application, such as those required for health and character clearances. These costs will be paid directly to the providers of these services.

• lodge an application via the internet (where applicable),

• provide the correct documentation in support of your application,

• satisfy other requirements for that visa (for example, you have to be outside Australia to apply for the visa), and

• send or deliver your application to the Department's nearest regional office in Australia or an Australian diplomatic office overseas.

You must also:

• complete the form in English,

• answer all questions truthfully - if you provide incorrect information or documents, your visa may later be cancelled, and

• provide certified copies of all documents. Please do not provide originals unless requested by the Department.

The Australian Government decides who should be granted a visa to enter/stay in Australia. Your application will be decided on the information you give and generally, the law at the time you apply.

You should read all the information and instructions, and make sure you provide the right information and documents. This will avoid delays in processing your application. If, after reading the information, you do not think you qualify for a visa, you may want to reconsider whether to apply. Any charge paid will not be refunded if you are unsuccessful.

While you may be asked to complete a number of steps during the processing of your application, it does not mean your application will be successful. You will be advised, in writing, of the decision on your application.

See also:
Information Form 1025i Making and processing visa applications ( PDF File )

How do I pay the application charge?

You must pay the application charge at the time of your application. Whatever the outcome of your application, the charge is non-refundable.

Payment of the visa application charge, is to be made by EFTPOS (in Australia), credit card (American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club, JCB or Bankcard), bank cheque drawn on a bank with representation in Australia, or international money order. Please make all bank cheques or money orders payable to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA).

Please do not pay by cash or personal cheque.

What is a bridging visa?

If you apply for a visa in Australia, you will usually be granted a bridging visa to keep you lawful, in case your previous visa ceases before a decision is made on your application. It will also keep you lawful if your visa is refused and you seek merits review of that decision.

If you wish to travel overseas and the bridging visa does not allow you to return to Australia, you will need to seek another bridging visa that allows you to return to Australia. Not all bridging visas will have a return travel facility.

See also:
Information Form 1024i Bridging visas ( PDF File )

Are there any limitations on applying for a visa in Australia?

If you are in Australia, you may be prevented from making further applications if, for example:

• you do not hold a substantive visa (any visa other than a bridging visa or a criminal justice visa),

• you hold a sponsored visitor visa,

• you have had a visa cancelled or refused since you last arrived in Australia,

• your visa was granted with the condition that you would not be entitled to be granted a substantive visa (other than a protection visa) while you remain in Australia,

• you hold a criminal justice visa,

• you are in immigration detention and do not apply for a visa within a particular time, or

• you have previously applied for a protection visa.

See also:
Information Form 1026i Limitations on applications in Australia ( PDF File )

Do I need to advise the Department if my circumstances change?

If your circumstances change after you lodge an application (for example, serious illness, marital status, engagement, birth of a child), you must notify the Department as soon as possible, so that any answer or information given to the Department is updated and correct.

Your visa may be cancelled if you give incorrect information or fail to advise the Department that some information is no longer correct.

However, if you advise the Department of a change in information before your visa is granted (or in the case of a visa granted outside Australia, before you are immigration cleared), your visa cannot later be cancelled on the basis of that incorrect information.

Do I need to advise the Department if I change my address?

If you change your address for more than 14 days while your application is being processed, you must notify the Department of your new address and how long you will be there. Letters about your application will be sent to the latest address you have provided and you will be taken to have received them:

• 7 days after the date of the letter (if sent in Australia); or

• 21 days after the date of the letter (if outside Australia).

See also:
Application Form 929 Change of Address ( PDF File )

How long will it take to process my visa application?

The time taken to process your application will depend on whether you are in Australia or outside Australia, the type of application and supporting documentation provided. Complete applications (those that have all necessary supporting documentation included) will generally be processed faster than incomplete applications.

Can I withdraw my application?

You can withdraw your application by advising the Department, in writing, at any time before a decision is made. Any charges that you paid at the time of the application are usually not refunded.

How can I check the progress of my application?

If processing your application has taken longer than the publicised standard, you may contact the Department to inquire about progress. Please remember that unnecessary contact with the Department may delay processing of your application, as the decision-maker dealing with inquiries will have to take time away from deciding applications.

When contacting the Department, please include:

• your name (as given in the application) and date of birth. Where relevant, include the name of the sponsoring business or organisation,

• the client or file number if it has been given to you or the employer, or, if you do not have a client or file number, the application receipt number, and

• if the application is made outside Australia, include the name of the office where you applied.

Can I leave Australia while my visa application is being processed (if you are applying in Australia)?

You must tell the Department if you intend to travel during processing of your application. For most visas applied for in Australia, you must be in Australia when a decision is made. You must also ensure, before you leave Australia that you have a visa to return. Otherwise you may not be able to return to Australia and, if your application is refused, you may not have a right of review.

How will I be notified of a decision on my application?

You will be notified of the decision on your application by a letter sent to the last address given to the Department. If you are refused a visa you will be advised why the application was refused and, if applicable, where you can apply for merits review of the decision (and the time limit for doing so).

When you are advised about the decision on an application, you will be considered to have received the letter:

• at the end of the day (ie. midnight) on which the letter is transmitted by fax, e-mail or other electronic means, or

• three 3 working days if sent by prepaid post, or by any other prepaid method (for example, by courier service), or

• 7 days after the date of the letter (if sent within Australia), or

• 21 days after the date of the letter (if sent outside Australia), or

• at the moment the letter is handed to you, or

• at the moment another person, who appears to be at least 16 years of age and who appears to be living at your last residential address, or who appears to be working at your last business address, is handed the letter.

Your time to seek review of a refusal decision or your time to depart Australia, dates from this notification - the letter will provide details.

What happens if the visa application is refused (read only if applying in Australia)?

If a visa application is refused, you will be advised of any merits review rights and the date by which you must leave Australia. If you do not apply for review of the decision and do not leave Australia by the required time, you will become unlawful and be liable for detention and removal from Australia. If this occurs, you:

• may not be allowed to return to Australia for a period of time, and

• will be liable for the costs of your detention and removal (goods and earnings you have in Australia may be confiscated to cover these costs)

Your visa may cease when you leave Australia. If you intend to return to Australia you should check before you leave whether your visa will permit you to return, and the time limit for returning to Australia that applies in your case.

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