Australia Visas Without Tears

By Dr. Ope Banwo

The Comprehensive Handbook Of All Visas To Australia And Step by Step Guide On How To Apply For Them

This book is not intended to be used as professional legal advice from me, and neither is the content intended to be a comprehensive compilation of the nuances and intricacies of the Australian visas and immigration options discussed. This handbooks is NOT intended or meant to be construed as professional advice or legal advice on immigration into Australia.

Immigration to Australia, like most other countries, is often a complex process requiring expert legal advice from Attorneys licensed to practice immigration in that country. I encourage you to make sure you get the right professional advice on any of the visas you choose to pursue after reading this guide.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Netpreneur Books
• Release date: Feb 19, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224945160

Dr. Ope Banwo

Dr Ope Banwo, is an Attorney, Techpreneur, Digital Business Coach and author of multiple bestsellers. He has written several books on Business, Lifestyle, Internet Marketing and Life application of artificial intelligence tools. You can follow him on his blog at FearlessNetpreneur.com

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Dr. Ope Banwo

Legal Notice And Disclaimer

This Handbook is a compilation of publicly available information from different official sites of the governments concerned. We have only spent the time and resources to compile the basic information needed for the reader to have a summary idea of what is required for each visa from available information without providing any Legal Comments or advice.

Most of the information contained in this Handbook have been compiled from publicly disseminated information from the Australian government and Australian immigration related Departments for the sole purpose of providing brief information on different alternative visas available to specific class of foreigners interested in coming to Australia.

What This Handbook Is Not About

This book is not intended to be used as professional legal advice from me, and neither is the content intended to be a comprehensive compilation of the nuances and intricacies of the Australian visas and immigration options discussed. This handbooks is NOT intended or meant to be construed as professional advice or legal advice on immigration into Australia.

Immigration to Australia, like most other countries, is often a complex process requiring expert legal advice from Attorneys licensed to practice immigration in that country. I encourage you to make sure you get the right professional advice on any of the visas you choose to pursue after reading this guide.

AUSTRALIA VISA HANDBOOK TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0  Australia Visa

The Australia visa you apply for depends on the purpose of your visit – whether it is for tourism, business, work, studying, or to visit a family member. Passport holders of many countries can obtain a visa very easily online, while others may have to submit a paper application at an Embassy or Consulate.

1.1 What Is an Australian Visa?

An Australian Visa is a permit that allows you to travel to Australia for a predetermined period of time. Unlike most other countries, Australia does not issue visa stamps or labels on your passport. Instead, your visa privileges are recorded electronically on an online database and when you travel to Australia, the immigration officer will check the database to learn whether you have a visa.

1.2  Do I Need a Visa for Australia?

Apart from New Zealanders (who can get a visa on arrival), everyone else has to apply for a visa or authorization before they travel to Australia. For short-term visits, you can get an eVisitor, an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), or a visitor visa, depending on your nationality:

On the other hand, for long-term purposes such as studying or working, everyone besides New Zealanders will have to get the relevant visa.

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1.3 Australia Visa Policy for New Zealanders

Citizens of New Zealand can visit, conduct business, study, work, and live in Australia without applying for a prior visa. As a New Zealander, you are eligible for the Special Category Visa (subclass 444), which you can get upon arrival.

After five years of living in Australia, you are eligible to apply for permanent residency, if you meet all other requirements, such as income and health and security checks. But you may continue to live in Australia even with just an SCV as it does not have a maximum duration.

1.4 How Can I Get an Australian Visa?

You can get an Australian visa online or through an Australian Embassy/Consulate, depending on your nationality:

●  You apply for the eVisitor through the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ online service.

●  You apply for the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) through the official ETA portal of the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

●  You may apply for an Australian visa either online or in-person at an Embassy or Consulate.

1.5  Do I Need to Submit Original Documents?

You do not need to submit your original documents for an Australian visa. If you are applying online, you have to scan your documents and attach them as electronic files. If you are applying on paper, then you should submit certified copies. This means that you make a copy of your document, send it to someone who can certify it for you, and they must write "This is a certified true copy of the original as sighted by me".

Not everyone can certify your documents, however. It has to be an Australian citizen or a non-Australian who works in one of the eligible professions, like doctors, judges, clerks of court, bank officers, police officers, etc.

1.6 Documents Required for an Australian Visa Application

As a result of the sheer number of visa options available, Australian visa requirements sometimes are very confusing. They are different for every visa type and some may be obligatory for specific visas while optional for others. Knowing the list of required documents, makes the application process much easier.

1.7 Documents Required for Australia Visa

When you apply for a visa for Australia, you will have to submit the following documents:

●  Passport.

●  Australian Visa Form.

●  Paid Visa Fee.

●  One Identity Picture.

●  National Identity Card.

●  Police Certificate.

●  Family Certificates

●  Evidence of Financial Means.

●  Health Insurance.

●  Authorised Recipient Form.

●  Evidence of Temporary Stay

●  Detailed Itinerary.

●  Accommodation Reservations.

●  Employer Permission Letter.

●  Invitation Letter.

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1.8 Passport

You must hold a valid passport (at least 6 months before the expiration date) when you apply for an Australian visa. When applying, submit copies of your passport pages, coloured and scanned. If you have copies of previous passports then you have to submit those as well.

1.9 Australian Visa Application Form

All visa applicants have to submit an Australia visa application form. The forms are different for each visa type so select the form that corresponds to your visa.

If you’re applying online for the visa, then you can find the selection of forms in your ImmiAccount. If you are applying in person, then you have to download the correct form and fill it in.

1.10 Identity Picture and Biometrics Collection

Your Australian visa application photo has to follow specific guidelines. It must have a white background and your entire face must be fully visible. In some cases, you may also need to submit your biometric information along with the visa photo.

Keep in mind that the number of pictures required may differ depending on the visa subclass that you are applying for.

1.11 National Identity Card

If you possess a national ID card, then you have to provide a scanned copy of it with the rest of your documents. Sometimes this may not be required depending on the visa type or your country of residence, so please make sure you check with the competent Australian authorities nearest to you.

If you have multiple national cards (more than one citizenship/residency), then submit the national card of the country where you are currently residing.

1.12 Police Certificate

When applying for a visa, you have to provide proof of good character. This means you have to be completely honest about your criminal activity and sometime during your application (before or after), you have to submit a police certificate. This certificate will be used to measure if you fulfil the character requirements as set out by the Australian Immigration Office at the Department of Home Affairs.

1.13 Family Certificates

You may also be asked to submit valid copies of civil documents such as your birth certificate, marriage license, divorce papers, adoption papers (if applicable), etc. This also includes certificates in cases where you may have changed your name legally.

1.14 Evidence of Financial Means

When you plan on going to Australia you have to provide evidence that you can finance your trip on your own, you can include:

●  Bank statements.

●  Pay slips.

●  Audited accounts.

●  Taxation records.

●  Credit card limit.

●  Evidence of support from family members (student visa and family visa).

If you are invited by someone and they are sponsoring your trip you must provide evidence that your sponsor has enough financial means.

1.15 Paid Visa Fee

Your visa application will not be reviewed until payment has been verified. You are required to pay through an ImmiAccount, but, if you can’t submit the payment through the online service then you have to contact the Australian embassy in your country and see if you can submit the payment through their office. Here are the fees that you need to pay depending on the visa that you are applying for.

1.16 Health Insurance

While health insurance may not always be a requirement when you travel to Australia, the Australian government strongly encourages visitors to purchase private insurance before traveling.

Some visa types have specific health insurance guidelines (see below). Additionally, visitors may be required to submit recent health exams or tests, but this will depend on several factors and Australian officials will let you know beforehand.

1.17 Authorized Recipient Form

In case you appoint someone to help you with your visa application, then you have to fill in this form and submit it with your application.

1.18 Evidence of Temporary Stay

You have to provide evidence that you can meet the temporary stay condition as stated by your visa type. This means that you are able to prove that once your visa expires you will leave Australia due to prior engagement in your country, such as your work or family commitments. You can also use a valid work contract, a letter from your employer, or real estate commitments.

This requirement is not applicable to long-term visas or continuous work visas.

1.19 Detailed Itinerary

Attached to your visa application there has to be a travel agenda where all of your visits are planned out. The dates of your visits, the places you plan on visiting, proof of purchased tickets, how long you plan on staying and similar information must be a part of the itinerary.

1.20 Accommodation Reservations

You have to provide evidence for any type of accommodation you’ve made for your visit when you apply for the visa. This includes hotel reservations, rental agreements, private lodging, Airbnb setups or proof you are going to stay with family or friends in Australia.

1.21 Employer Letter

If you are employed, then you must also attach a letter from your employer stating permission for your travels.

1.22 Invitation Letter

In cases where you are invited by a family member or friend to visit them in Australia, you have to submit a letter of invitation written by your host. This includes an invitation letter if you were invited to work (work visa).

1.23 When Should I Apply For a Visa?

The time when you have to apply for an Australian visa depends on the type of visa you are applying for:

●  If you are applying for a tourist visa, you should apply at least a month before you plan to travel, but you may think of giving it more time. Even though most applications are resolved in a few weeks, some tourist visa applications