Check twice, submit once: help your clients get visitor and student visas faster
The Department of Home Affairs is currently processing a large volume of visa applications and that’s taking time. We’re also receiving a higher than usual number of applications with inaccuracies or incomplete information, which is slowing down processing times and resulting in some visas being refused.
To help address these issues the Department is running a campaign to help visitor and student visa applicants get their application ‘right first time’, and to encourage existing applicants to check their ImmiAccount regularly for departmental messages. The sooner we get responses to our requests for information, the sooner visa applications can be finalised.
Some of the common issues we’re encountering are:
o Visa applications are being submitted with incorrect information and documents are missing (for example, the additional documents required for applicants under 18 years old).
o Names are being spelt differently in visa applications to how they appear in passports. Middle names are being left out, and the auto-correct function sometimes changes the spelling of names. Applicants may also express their names differently in different circumstances. If an application is submitted with a data mismatch we need to follow-up and seek clarification before the application can be processed.
o Applications aren’t being submitted far enough in advance of when people want to travel to Australia, leading to disappointment and cancelled plans when their visa is not approved in time.
o Applicants are submitting several visa applications for the same person.
Visa processing times are updated as new data becomes available. Our visa processing times guide can give you an indication of how long visa applications may take to process.
Find out more about the Check Twice, Submit Once campaign at: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/check-twice-submit-once.
FAQs: Inaccurate and incomplete visa applications – visitors and students
Visitor visas
Why is my application taking longer than the processing time on the website?
All applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Since the lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions, the number of applications for visitor visas has increased significantly.
We are working to finalise visitor visa applications as quickly as possible.
Processing times can vary due to individual circumstances including:
- whether you have lodged a complete application and included all necessary supporting documents
- how promptly you respond to our requests for more information
- how long it takes us to perform the necessary checks on the supporting information your provided
- how long it takes for us to receive information from external agencies. This particularly relates to health, character and national security requirements
- for permanent migration visa applications, how many places are available in the migration program.
Incomplete applications take longer to finalise and we may decide your application without requesting further information from you. We decide most applications based on the information submitted with the application.
How can I find out what’s happening with my application?
You can check the status of your application in ImmiAccount.
How will I know if I need to provide more information?
We might ask you to attach additional documents after you submit an application. Check your emails, including your spam or junk email folder. You should also log in to ImmiAccount and check ‘Actions required’ next to your application.
‘Actions required’ shows you what to do. For example:
- attach documents to support your application
- arrange health examinations
- organise biometric collection including fingerprinting, face recognition and retina screening
- provide character assessment details.
To check what you need to do or for messages:
- login to ImmiAccount
- use the ‘+’ icon to expand the application details
- select ‘View Details’.
How can I get my application prioritised due to a family emergency?
If there are urgent, compelling and compassionate reasons we may be able to prioritise your application. These circumstances may include the:
- death of a family member, or
- serious injury of a family member requiring hospitalisation.
Include this information in your visa application and attach any supporting evidence to your ImmiAccount.
A pre-booked flight or planned attendance at a social gathering (for example, a birthday) are not considered urgent.
You can contact our Global Service Centre (GSC) Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm, local time. We receive a high volume of telephone enquiries each day. Monday is our peak day and wait times may be longer. The GSC is closed on Australian National Public Holidays.
In Australia: Phone 131 881
Outside Australia: Phone +61 2 6196 0196
How do I apply for an ETA?
You can apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) using the Australian ETAapp. You must be an eligible passport holder and meet all other ETA eligibility requirements.
- Download the ETAapp free from the Apple Store (Apple)or Google Play store (Android).
- A travel agent or family member can help you apply using the ETAapp if you are together at the time of application to have your photo taken. Note: You can no longer apply for an ETA online, through a travel agent or through an airline.
- If you can’t use the app, you can apply online through ImmiAccount for another visa that suits your needs.
- European passport holders may be eligible for an eVisitor (Subclass 651).
My ETA hasn’t been finalised, what should I do?
If your application can’t be processed or approved without further information:
- you can apply for another visa that is suitable for your travel needs. Explore your visa options
- if you are required to provide more information, you will receive an email detailing how to provide this information.
Do not submit additional ETA applications as you will get the same result.
If we refuse your ETA we will let you know by email. We will tell you why we refused the application and whether you have a right to have the decision reviewed.
Can I email you my visa application?
No. You need to apply online through our website: Immigration and citizenship (homeaffairs.gov.au).
· For general visitor visa applicants from outside Australia, see our step by step guide at: Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) Tourist stream
· For business visitors, see our step by step guide at Visitor visa (Subclass 600) Business Visitor stream
What type of visitor visa should I apply for?
There are several different subclasses and streams. The type of visitor visa you can apply for will depend on how long you wish to stay in Australia, your planned activities in Australia and your country of passport.
- Electronic Travel Authority visa: Subclass 601
You can quickly and conveniently apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) using the Australian ETAapp. You must be an eligible passport holder and meet all other ETA eligibility requirements.
You can apply for an ETA for travel to Australia:
- as a tourist – for example, to cruise or have a holiday
- to visit family or friends
- as a business visitor.
You can’t work for or provide services to a business or organisation based in Australia or sell goods or services directly to the public.
An ETA is valid for travel to Australia for either 12 months, or for the period your passport is valid, whichever is shorter.
This visa is granted with multiple entry. You can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want while it is valid.
You can remain in Australia for 3 months after each entry. If you want to stay longer than 3 months at a time, you need to apply for a different visa that suits your circumstances.
If you will be entering health care or hospital environments, apply for a Visitor (Subclass 600) visa and complete the required health checks.
If you have a criminal conviction in any country, apply for a Visitor visa (Subclass 600) and provide evidence about your criminal convictions.
If you are granted an ETA and we find that you provided incorrect information, your ETA may be cancelled.
- eVisitor visa for eligible European passport holders: Subclass 651
- Eligible European passport holders can apply for an eVisitor visa online if travelling to Australia to visit family or friends, for a holiday or cruise, or to participate in some business visitor activities.
- The eVisitor visa is free and is valid for 12 months.
- If you are granted an eVisitor you can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want while it is valid. You can remain in Australia for up to 3 months on each visit.
- Visitor visa: Subclass 600 visa
There are 3 different streams in this visa. Apply for the:
- Tourist stream – if you are travelling to Australia for a holiday, to visit family and friends, or to study for less than 3 months. If you are visiting family or friends, include a letter of invitation from them in your visa application to show you intend to stay temporarily in Australia. You can apply for this stream either inside or outside Australia.
- Business Visitor stream – if you are travelling to Australia for a short business visit. This includes making a general business or employment enquiry, engaging in negotiations or participating in a conference.
- Sponsored Family stream – if you are travelling to Australia for a holiday or to visit family and friends, or to study for less than 3 months. All applicants in this stream must be sponsored. Your sponsor may be asked to pay a security bond. You will also have additional conditions imposed on the visa (if granted). To find out who can sponsor you see Sponsor Eligibility.
Make sure you apply for the option or stream that is most appropriate for your visit to Australia. You can’t change to a different stream after you apply.
Find out more at Visitor visa (subclass 600). The ‘About this visa’ tab on each visa page tells you what the visa allows you to do and how long you can stay. For more eligibility information, select the relevant stream, and click on the ‘Eligibility’ tab.
How long can I stay in Australia?
In your application you can ask to stay for 3, 6 or 12 months. We may not grant the length of stay you have requested. When deciding how long people can stay, we may consider how long you want to stay and why you want to stay.
You may be granted a single entry visa or a multiple entry visa. With a multiple entry visa, you can leave and return to Australia while the visa is valid.
Am I eligible for a Nil VAC or Refund?
Changes were made to some visa streams due to the impact of the pandemic. You may be eligible for a waiver of the Visa Application Charge (VAC) on your Visitor (subclass 600) visa application if you have been impacted by COVID-19 related travel restrictions.
Refunds can only be paid in limited circumstances. See Refunds and Waivers of Visa Application Charges.
How do I do biometrics?
Offshore visa applicants in selected countries need to provide personal identifiers in the form of fingerprint scans and a digital facial photograph. If you need to provide biometric information we will email you a letter requesting you to attend a Biometrics Collection Centre. See Biometrics (homeaffairs.gov.au).
I can’t book a biometrics and/or health examination appointment, what should I do?
Biometrics
Get your biometrics collection done as soon as possible. If you don’t provide biometrics by the deadline outlined in the letter we have emailed you, your visa application may be refused.
If you can’t get your biometrics collection done by the deadline, log in to ImmiAccount and upload a cover letter indicating:
- why you can’t complete your biometrics request in the timeframe provided, and
- when you can complete it.
The biometrics letter remains valid after the original deadline for submitting your biometrics has passed, unless your application has already been finalised. See Biometrics (homeaffairs.gov.au)
Health Examinations
Appointments at Bupa Medical Services and offshore panel clinics may be impacted by local COVID-19 arrangements. If you can’t get an appointment with Bupa Medical Visa Services within the required timeframe, make an appointment for the next available date. Attach evidence of your appointment date, such as a confirmation email from Bupa Medical Visa Services with your appointment details, to your application in ImmiAccount. See Meeting our health requirements.
My details have changed, what should I do?
If your situation has changed or is about to change, you need to tell us because it may affect your visa or visa application. You may be able to update your details in ImmiAccount. For example if you have a new passport, you need to tell us so that we can link it to your visa or application. The quickest way to do this is to update your passport details in your ImmiAccount. See Changes in Situation to find out what you need to do.
I made a mistake on my visa application, what should I do?
If you’ve made a mistake on your submitted application, let us know as soon as possible:
- Log in to ImmiAccount
- use the ‘+’ icon to expand the application details
- select ‘Update details’
- select ‘Notification of incorrect answer(s)’
- select ‘Add’
- complete the fields
- select ‘Confirm’.
Attach supporting evidence – for example, if you made a mistake with your passport details, attach a copy of the biodata page of your passport (the page with your photo on it) to your application.
Fiji – visitor visa applicants
Have you received my Fiji police certificate?
Your police certificate will be sent directly to Suva Post and recorded on your visa application file. You will be notified about your police certificate only if there are concerns about the information contained in your certificate, or if it is not received within a reasonable timeframe. See how to apply for an overseas police certificate in the relevant countries.
Student visas
Why hasn’t my student visa been granted yet?
The Department assesses all applications on a case-by-case basis. The time required to process visa applications varies, depending on each applicant’s circumstances.
Applicants need to undertake and meet (where relevant) mandatory health, character and national security checks. These checks may be undertaken by other agencies and the time it takes to complete them varies. See: Global visa processing times (homeaffairs.gov.au)
Where can I find a status update on student visa application?
You can see the status of your application by logging into your ImmiAccount. Log in to your ImmiAccount regularly to check for any messages and requests from the Department.
I lodged my student visa in Australia and it still hasn’t been finalised, while my friend who is outside Australia lodged theirs more recently and it has been granted. Why am I still waiting?
We are currently prioritising student visa applications where the primary applicant is outside Australia so these students can come and start their studies here. If you have applied inside Australia, you can usually start or continue your studies on a bridging visa while student visa application is being processed. See: Global visa processing times (homeaffairs.gov.au)
I have applied for a visa in Australia and haven’t been granted a bridging visa associated with my application?
Make sure you lodge any visa applications well before your previous visa expires.
Some bridging visas need to be reviewed manually by a Departmental Officer for assessment, which may cause a delay. It is unlawful to stay in Australia without a valid visa. If your visa is about to expire or has expired, see Your visa is expiring or has expired (homeaffairs.gov.au)
Why has my student visa been refused?
Student visa applications will be refused if you have failed to meet one or more of the legal requirements set out in the Migration legislation. Make sure you are aware of the requirements of the student visa, including the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement. Check you have attached all the required evidence and documents when you apply for a visa. See Subclass 500 Student visa (homeaffairs.gov.au).
How do I change my relationship status? I have recently married and my spouse is offshore and I want to add them to my student visa.
Follow the instructions at: Changes in your situation (homeaffairs.gov.au)
I’ve recently had a baby, how do I add my newborn to my student visa?
Follow the instructions at: Changes in your situation (homeaffairs.gov.au)
Where can I find information about applying for a Student visa (subclass 500)?
See Subclass 500 Student visa (homeaffairs.gov.au)
How do I check my visa conditions and work rights?
You can see your visa details and visa conditions in the Visa Entitlement Verification Online system (VEVO): Check visa conditions online (VEVO) (homeaffairs.gov.au)
