Other Visas

Amongst the nearly 200 different visas that are available for migration/visiting Australia, there should be a visa that may fit your situation, providing you satisfy

the criteria. Criteria are only one part of qualifying for a visa. There are other elements that have to be satisfied also. Application process demands for correct

forms to be submitted with correct application fees. Acceptable accompanying documentation is another important factor. In addition the documentation for same visa can also vary from one country to another. Combination of all of these can only make it successful application. We strongly recommend to engage a professionals to conduct your application.

There are visas that cater for sport, entertainment, religion, government agencies, aircraft and ship crews, refugees and protection, holiday visas including working holidays, electronic visas, domestic servants  etc. Some visas can also be renewed or extended but others cannot.

It should be noted that all people travelling to and entering Australia need a visa, even permanent residents. Just by having a permanent visa does not mean that, a person may not need another permanent visa. As far as travel is concerned all Australian visas have limited validity period.

• Refugees

  Australia accepts every year a large number of refugees under its global humanitarian migration policy. These would include maritime arrivals (boat people). As signatory to United Nations 1951Convention on Refugees, Australia adheres to the United Nation rules regarding refugees. Article 1 of the Convention sets out the rules that are applied assessing who is the real refugee. Australia has a policy to process boat people offshore. They are generally also kept in detention. Recent changes though allow for the boat people to be released into community providing certain criteria is satisfied. Only applicants that arrive by other means and reach Australian migration zone are processed onshore. Many initial refugees application are refused, so very often they proceed to Migration Review Tribunal for review, some even higher for judicial review. Statistics show that very high percentage is eventually granted.
  For onshore applicant there is a protection visa, however it is also subject to United Nations Convention Article 1 rules.
  In addition there are number of other humanitarian visas that can be applied for.

• Visitors/Tourists

  Many countries in this category are covered by Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or E-visas. To obtain these can be just formality. However these apply only for nominated countries. Visitors from other countries have to make a formal application for tourist visas. For visitors from high risk countries unless the application is well prepared and presented it can result in refusal. It should be noted that for some high risk countries the easiest way to get a tourist visa is to travel in organised group, which are arranged by DIAC accredited travel agencies. To obtain individual travel visa can be very difficult. It is advisable to engage adept migration agent to guide you through requirements.

• Special Purpose Visas

  These are temporary visas serving particular purposes and cover people such as domestic workers for Consular or Executive staff, Entertainment performers, Sport Participants, Foreign media and staff, Religious workers and number of other special purposes. Most of these applicants have to be sponsored, and duration of the visa will depend on circumstances.

• Working Holidays

  There are a number of visas available specially for young people from nominated countries who can come to Australia on working holidays. Holders can engage in temporary or casual work for certain periods, some visas can also be renewed once.

• Bridging Visas

  Bridging visas are not substantive visas, and only allow the holder to wait for decision on lodged application, or arranging departure. In very limited circumstances can the holder apply for another visa while holding bridging visa. Most of bridging visas do not even allow the holder to travel externally. Some bridging visas are granted automatically when another application is lodged or when current substantive visa expires, others have to be applied for separately.

• Residents Return Visas

  All permanent visa holders should be aware that all permanent visas are valid for 5 years, though the holder can stay in Australia permanently. Many permanent visa holders take it for granted that they can live wherever they want to and come and go to Australia as they wish for as long as they wish. If the holder wants to travel after 5 years she/he has to obtain Resident Return Visa. This visa can be obtained in Australia or offshore. Duration of these visas vary from 3 months to 5 years. Which one can permanent visa holder applies for depends on satisfaction of required criteria.

• No Visa!!!!!!!!!

  It is possible to apply in Australia for particular visas if the person is not holding a visa at the time. Which class of visa can be applied for depends on circumstances such as how long it has been since the person last held substantive visa, if any. If you are in this situation please contact us for further assessment and advice on which visa if any you may be eligible to apply for.

• Visa Conditions

  A wide range of visa conditions can be imposed on any visas. Some are mandatory others are optional. Also some are mandatory only for particular countries. Conditions cover areas such as work, study, no further visa to be applied for etc. Some of these conditions can be removed while the person is in Australia, a small number cannot be. Generally, a special circumstances, must exist before the imposed conditions are removed. If you have such condition imposed, contact us for assessment if the condition can be removed and if your circumstances warrant it.