Visitor Visa Reform

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Brendan O’Connor, has announced that the upcoming “Simpler visas” reform of Visitor visas will be introduced on 23 March 2013. The Changes are part of the Australian Federal Government’s intention to reduce the number of visa subclasses in existence in order to simplify the Australian migration program.

Proposed Changes

From 23 March 2013 the Federal Government intends to introduce the following changes to Visitor and Medical Treatment visas:

  • Reduction in the number of Visitor visa subclasses from nine to five; and
  • Introduction of the following Visitor visa subclasses:
    • Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) (subclass 400) visa;
    • Visitor (subclass 600) visa;
    • Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) visa;
    • Medical Treatment (subclass 602) visa; and
    • eVisitor (subclass 651) visa.

The new Visitor visa subclasses will replace the current nine Visitor visas in existence. Transitional arrangements will apply in that people holding the current Visitor visas will continue to hold those visas until they expire.

Relevance for Employers

Employers should be aware that after 23 March 2013, the relevant short-term work visas that overseas employees need to apply for are:

  • The Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) (subclass 400) visa which will enable workers to participate in short-term, non-ongoing, highly specialised work where the skill required is not available in Australia; and
  • The Visitor (subclass 600) visa which allows visa holders to visit Australia for tourism or business purposes, including attending conferences, negotiations or an exploratory business visit.

The new Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) (subclass 400) visa and Visitor (subclass 600) visa will replace the existing Electronic Travel Authorities and Business (Short Stay) (subclass 456) visas.

The changes are intended to create a clearer separation between work and business visitor activities.

How should employers proceed?

Employers need to make sure that when applying for short-term business visas for employees after 23 March 2013, that they select the correct visa type from the new Visitor visa subclasses. Employers should be aware that revised requirements and visa criteria will apply to each new visa subclass.

 

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on relevant matters. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. You are advised to seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content contained in this website.

Potential Changes to the Subclass 457 Visa Program

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has announced proposed amendments to the Temporary Work (Skilled) (Subclass 457) visa to be introduced on 1 July 2013. The proposed changes are intended to tighten the regulations in relation to the Subclass 457 visa program.

On its website, DIAC has stated that it is concerned that the Subclass 457 visa regime, which is intended to supplement the Australian workforce, is actually being misused and treated as a means for temporary visa holders (such as working holiday maker and student visa holders) to remain in Australia.

DIAC has also expressed concern that some employers are abusing the Subclass 457 visa program through non-compliance with employer obligations and dishonesty regarding the nominated occupations of overseas workers.

DIAC has stated on its website that the following measures are set to be introduced:

  • the introduction of a genuineness criterion under which DIAC may refuse a nomination if the position does not fit within the scope of the activities of the business;
  • an increase in market salary exemption threshold from $180 000 to $250 000 to ensure that higher paid salary workers are not able to be undercut through the employment of overseas labour at a cheaper rate;
  • the removal of English language exemptions for certain positions. Many long-term 457 workers go on to apply for permanent residence, and this change will ensure that the 457 program requirements are brought into line with the permanent Employer Sponsored program which requires a vocational English ability. Applicants who are nominated with a salary greater than $92,000 will continue to be exempted from the English language requirement;
  • enhanced regulatory powers for DIAC to ensure that the working conditions of sponsored visa holders meet Australian standards and that subclass 457 workers cannot be exploited or used to undercut local workers;
  • amendments to existing training benchmark provisions to clarify that an employer’s obligation to train Australians is ongoing and binding for the duration of their approved sponsorship, including for newly established business;
  • amendments to clarify that 457 workers may not be on-hired to an unrelated entity unless they are sponsored under a labour agreement; and
  • amendments which will allow DIAC to refund a visa application fee in circumstances where an employer nomination has been withdrawn.

There has been a suggestion in the media that labour market testing will be introduced into the Subclass 457 visa regime. However, the 457 program is said to be an important part of how Australia meets a number of international trade obligations. It is arguable that these obligations mean that Australia cannot limit access to its economy to people who wish to do business with Australia. Part of doing business with Australia will often involve sourcing skilled labour from other countries. It is important that Australia remains open for business people and service providers to hire overseas workers.

DIAC is yet to publish exactly what the legislative and policy changes for the Subclass 457 visa will entail. However, it seems inevitable that changes will be introduced to the Subclass 457 visa program on 1 July 2013.

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on relevant matters. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. You are advised to seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content contained in this website.

Amendments to Temporary Work Visas

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has recently announced amendments to the subclass 400 series of visas which include temporary work visas. The changes are aimed at simplifying the temporary work visa system and reducing the number of subclasses of these visas. The changes came into effect on 24 November 2012.

Following 24 November 2012, new applicants will no longer be able to apply for the following subclasses of visas:

  • Government Agreement (Subclass 406) visa;
  • Exchange (Subclass 411) visa;
  • Foreign Government Agency (Subclass 415) visa;
  • Visiting Academic (Subclass 419) visa;
  • Sport (Subclass 421) visa;
  • Medical Practitioner (Subclass 422) visa;
  • Media and Film Staff (Subclass 423) visa;
  • Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Diplomatic or Consular (Subclass 426) visa;
  • Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Executive (Subclass 427) visa;
  • Religious Worker (Subclass 428) visa;
  • Occupational Trainee (Subclass 442) visa; and
  • Professional Development (Subclass 470) visa.

The amendments introduced by DIAC on 24 November 2012, include the creation of the following temporary work visas:

  • Temporary Work (Long Stay Activity) (Subclass 401) visa- which includes the Exchange stream, Sport stream and Religious worker stream. This visa will enable applicants to come to Australia on a temporary basis to participate in a staff exchange arrangement, or to undertake sporting activities or religious work.
  • Training and Research (Subclass 402) visa- which includes the Occupational Training stream, Research stream and Professional Development stream. This visa will enable applicants to come to Australia on a temporary basis to undertake occupational training, conduct or observe research as a visiting academic or undertake a professional development program.
  • Temporary Work (International Relations) (Subclass 403) visa- which includes the Government Agency stream, Foreign Government Agency stream, Domestic Worker – Diplomatic or Consular stream and Privileges and Immunities stream. This visa will enable applicants to come to Australia on a temporary basis to represent a foreign government (where the applicant does not have official status), undertake work or an activity in accordance with the terms and conditions of an agreement between a Commonwealth or state/territory government and a government of another country, or undertake domestic work for the holder of a Diplomatic (Temporary) visa (Subclass 995).

Applicants for a temporary work visa, may also be eligible to apply for the following visa subclasses:

  • Temporary Work (Skilled) (Subclass 457) visa. Amendments on 24 November 2012 to this visa are minimal. The name of the Business (Long Stay) (Subclass 457) visa has changed to Temporary Work (Skilled) (Subclass 457) visa. Nonetheless, employers are still able to sponsor approved skilled workers to be employed in Australia on a temporary basis for up to four years. Employers are able to nominate a number of positions within their business for different occupations in exactly the same way as the Business (Long Stay) (Subclass 457) visa.
  • Temporary Work (Entertainment) (Subclass 420) visa. The Temporary Work (Entertainment) visa will still enable applicants to enter Australia on a temporary basis to work in film, television (including documentaries and commercials) or live productions in either a performance or behind the scene role, for example directors, producers or other production personnel.

    As a result of the repeal of the subclass 423 Media and Film Staff visa, television or film crew, including actors, production and support staff and still-photographers, who are involved in the production of documentary programs or commercials exclusively for use outside Australia will now need to apply to work in Australia under the Temporary Work (Entertainment) (Subclass 420) visa. 

    Please note that journalists, correspondents or reporters representing overseas news organisations will instead need to apply for the subclass 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) visa in order to work in Australia. Although the above changes came into effect on 24 November 2012, transitional arrangements are in place that enable current sponsors to continue to sponsor workers holding the now repealed temporary work visas. Also, for holders of repealed temporary work visas, these visas will remain valid until the visa expiry date.

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on relevant matters. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. You are advised to seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content contained in this website.

Potential New Work and Holiday Visa Arrangements

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

On 13 November 2012, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, announced that Australia will begin discussions with the governments of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Poland and the Slovak Republic in terms of creating reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangements.

Mr Bowen is quoted on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website as stating:

‘The start of discussions for these new work and holiday arrangements recognises the value of Australia’s evolving bilateral relationships with these countries and will strengthen our cultural and people-to-people links,’ Mr Bowen said.

If the work and holiday visa arrangements proceed, this would allow citizens of Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Poland and the Slovak Republic access to work and holiday visas. Should the agreements proceed, this would enable applicants aged between 18 and 30 to stay in Australia for up to 12 months and engage in work and study of a short term nature.

It is required that applicants for the work and holiday visa have a minimum language requirement of functional English and must have or be studying towards tertiary qualifications.

It is proposed that there would be an annual cap on work and holiday visa grant numbers.

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on relevant matters. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. You are advised to seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content contained in this website.

Five Million Dollar Significant Investor Visa

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

The Minister of Immigration and Citizenship, Mr Chris Bowen, has announced the introduction of the Significant Investor visa which is scheduled to commence from 24 November 2012 and will form part of the Business Innovation and Investment Program. The relevant subclasses relating to this visa are the Business Innovation and Investment subclass 188 provisional visa and subclass 888 permanent visa.

The Significant Investor visa is designed to attract successful investors and entrepreneurs who will assist in boosting the Australian economy and will provide Australia with a pathway of effectively competing for high net worth individuals seeking investment immigration on an international scale.

Applicants who are interested in applying for the Significant Investor visa are required to:

  • Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect;
  • Be nominated by a State or Territory government; and
  • Make an investment of at least AUD$5 million in a complying investment.

Complying investments for the significant visa stream include:

  • State or Territory bonds;
  • Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) regulated managed funds with a mandate for investing in Australia; and
  • Direct investment into private Australian companies not listed on the Australian stock exchange.

Investors will be entitled to hold investments in each of the investment options and may also be entitled to change between complying investments, subject to being able to meet the reinvestment requirements.

Successful investors who make an investment of AUD$5 million in a complying investment will receive the benefit of:

  • No points test;
  • No upper age limit; and
  • Reduced residency requirement of 160 days over four years.

Significant Investor visa applicants will have the flexibility of extending their initial four year visa term, if required by additional two year periods, with a maximum of two extensions being permitted.

Whilst the Significant Investor visa does not immediately provide the applicant with permanent residency status, it is likely that the majority of applicants, who have held complying investments in Australia for a minimum of four years and continue to meet the relevant requirements, will be eligible for permanent residency status. The key conditions to the pathway of permanent residency status will be announced in the near future.

The implementation of the Significant Investor visa stream will effectively promote the Australian migration program which is not only important to Australia’s economy in terms of skills, but will assist in promoting innovation and capital investment. The Significant Investor visa will create a new source of investment capital and increase the pool of funds managed locally. In turn, this will stimulate growth in industries such as, real estate property, financial planning, fund administration, stockbroking, accounting and funds management. It will also bring Australia into line with other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore and New Zealand, which provide for migration on the basis of specified investments and conditions.

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on relevant matters. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. You are advised to seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content contained in this website.

The Australian Immigration Landscape Post-1 July 2012

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

1 July 2012 ushered in significant changes to Australia’s immigration system, impacting upon Employer Sponsored visas, Skilled visas and Business Skills visas.  The Australian Government in issuing these changes is moving towards a labour-demand driven immigration model similar to that which exists in New Zealand.

Of particular note in relation to the 1 July 2012 immigration changes is the introduction of SkillSelect which is a database that enables those interested in migrating to Australia to record their details to be considered for a skilled visa.  Applicants for Skilled and particular Business Skills visas will be required to lodge an Expression of Interest in the SkillSelect database and wait to be invited by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to lodge a visa application.

In this article we seek to highlight the 1 July 2012 amendments to:

  1. Employer Sponsored visas;
  2. Skilled visas; and
  3. Business visas.

Employer Sponsored visas

Permanent Employer Sponsored visas

Not only did the 1 July 2012 immigration amendments vary the eligibility criteria for permanent employer sponsored visas, but they also resulted in the replacement of the existing visa subclasses with alternative subclasses. Specifically, the six permanent employer sponsored visas have all been superseded by the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) visa.

DIAC has stipulated that within the subclass 186 and 187 visas subclasses there will be three streams, specifically:

  1. The Temporary Residence Transition Stream which is intended for Temporary Business (Long Stay) (subclass 457) visa holders who have been employed by their employer for at least the last two years leading up to their application for a permanent employer sponsored visa, and whose employer wishes to offer them a permanent position in that same occupation.
  2. The Direct Entry Stream which is intended for applicants who are untested in the Australian labour market and have not held a subclass 457 for at least the last two years, or are applying directly from outside Australia.
  3. The Agreement stream which is intended for applicants who are being sponsored by an employer through a negotiated labour agreement or regional migration agreement.

Visa eligibility criteria between the three streams differ.

It is also worthwhile to note the following additional changes to permanent Employer Sponsored visas:

  • In terms of applying for nomination of an overseas worker for a permanent visa, employers will now need to show that the proposed salary for the overseas worker meets market salary rates. Moreover, the employer will also need to demonstrate that they meet relevant training thresholds for their Australian workers.
  • The Employer Nomination Scheme Occupation List (ENSOL) has now been replaced with the Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL) which is a relatively expansive list used to determine eligible occupations for nomination purposes when making an application for a subclass 186 visa.
  • For the subclass 187 visa the nominated occupations are stipulated to be ANZSCO skill levels 1-3.
  • The applicant age limitation has increased from 45 to 50 for permanent employer sponsored visas, and, there is also no longer a legislative cap on age for subclass 186 and 187 visas.
  • Exemptions on the basis of skills, age and language have become extremely limited for permanent employer sponsored visas.

Temporary employer sponsored visas

For the primary temporary employer sponsored visa, the Temporary Business (Long Stay) (subclass 457) visa, the most significant changes brought about on 1 July 2012 have been the following:

  • The nominated occupation list for subclass 457 visa has become the Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL).  This has made the transition from a subclass 457 visa to a permanent employer sponsored visa more straightforward because there is now a shared list.
  • The applicant age limit of 45 has now changed to 50.
  • The Temporary Income Salary Threshold (TISM) has increased from $49,330 to $51,400.

Of significant note is that employer sponsored visas, both permanent and temporary are now all required to be lodged online.  Moreover, for permanent visas there is no longer an onshore/offshore distinction between the visa subclasses, meaning that permanent visas can now be lodged anywhere in the world.

Business visas

As of 1 July 2012 there has been an overhaul of the Business Skills Program which has been replaced with the Business Innovation and Investment Program.  The Business Innovation and Investment Program is accompanied by a number of amendments to the former Business Skills Program.  The most notable reforms are as follows:

  • The 13 visa subclasses in the former Business Skills Program have now been replaced by three, namely the Business Talent (subclass 132) visa, Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188) visa and Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 888) visa.  We have witnessed the removal of the independent visa categories and business owner and investor visas have become streams of a single visa subclass.
  • Business Innovation and Investment visas have been integrated into the Skillselect model which means that applicants must first lodge an Expression of Interest and be invited by the Government to apply for a visa.
  • The three types of Business Innovation and Investment visas include the following subclasses:
  1. Business Talent (subclass 132) visa which is a State or Territory sponsored permanent visa for high calibre business owners and entrepreneurs.  It is divided into the following streams:
  • Venture capital entrepreneurs whereby applicants must have sourced $1 million in venture capital funding from a member of the Australian Venture Capital Association Limited (AVCAL), to fund the start-up or product commercialisation of a high value business; and;
  • Applicants with a significant business history whereby an applicant must be a high calibre business owner who will enter into business in Australia.  It is a requirement that the applicant be under the age of 55, have net business and personal assets $1.5 million, and, an annual turnover of their business of $3 million.
  1. Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188) visa which is a State or Territory sponsored provisional visa that has no minimum English requirement, and is valid for four years.  It is required that applicants must have a points tested pass mark of 65, submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect and be less than 55 years of age (although it is possible, with the support of the nominating State or Territory, to seek a waiver of the age requirement).  The subclass 188 visa contains two streams, being the business innovation stream and the investor stream.
  2. Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 888) visa which is a State or Territory nominated permanent visa that in contrast to the subclass 188 visa, is not points tested and does not require an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect.  The subclass 888 visa also consists of two streams, being the business innovation stream and the investor steam.

To be eligible for the business innovation stream applicants must:

  1. Meet the requirements for owning and operating a business in Australia while on a provisional visa;
  2. Have a business turnover of $300 000 a year; and;
  3. Have two out of three of the following:
  • business assets of $200 000,
  • net personal and business assets of $600 000; and/or;
  • employ two full-time employees.

Importantly, applicants seeking to apply under the business innovation stream must also demonstrate a genuine and realistic commitment to continue in business in Australia.

For the investor stream applicants are required to have held a designated investment for four years within the nominating State or Territory and have a genuine and realistic commitment to continuing business or investment in Australia.

In essence, the new Business Innovation and Investment Program which was brought about as part of the 1 July 2012 changes, has reduced the number of visa subclasses in this category from 13, to three, resulting in a substantial simplification of the system.  These changes also illustrate the desire of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, to continue to attract high calibre entrepreneurs and business specialists to Australia.

Skilled visas:

The major change in relation to Skilled visas is the introduction of SkillSelect, a database which requires applicants to firstly lodge an Expression of Interest in the SkillSelect Database before being invited by the Australian Government to apply for a visa.  Once an applicant has been invited by the Australian Government to lodge an application (an invitation is not guaranteed), the applicant will have 60 days to lodge their visa application.  Failure by an applicant to lodge an application after receiving two invitations results in that applicant being removed from the system.

The new visa subclasses for Skilled visas include the following:

  • Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa, which is a points-based visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a State or Territory, or a family member.
  • Skilled – Nominated (subclass 190) visa, which is a points-based visa for skilled workers who are nominated by a State or Territory.
  •  Skilled – Nominated or Sponsored (Provisional) (subclass 489) visa, which is a points-based visa for skilled workers who are nominated by a State or Territory or are being sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area in Australia.  This visa is valid for four years, and a visa holder must live and work in a specified regional area.

The pass-mark for Skilled visas is now 60 as opposed to the previous 65, and the maximum age for applying for a Skilled visa has become 50.  Applicants are required to have at least competent English.

Of significant note is that the Australian Government is able to cap occupations at any stage in relation to Skilled visas, and therefore applicants will face uncertainty as to when they may be invited to lodge a visa application (if at all).

Conclusion

The 1 July 2012 amendments to the immigration system have demonstrated the Australian Government’s focus on labour-demand driven immigration to Australia.  As a result of these changes, the system has undergone a simplification of various areas, best illustrated through the implementation of the new consolidated skilled occupation list (CSOL), as well as the reduction of visa subclasses in the Business Innovation and Investment Program, from 13 subclasses to three.  However, the changes have also resulted in Independent Skilled migration becoming very limited, due to applicants who lodge Expressions of Interest being far from guaranteed an invitation by the Australian Government to apply for a visa.  Even if a Skilled applicant is able to obtain such an invitation, there are no stipulated timeframes and therefore an applicant can never know when they will be invited to apply for a Skilled visa.  This uncertainty has resulted in it becoming increasingly attractive for potential applicants to seek out an Australian employer who is willing to sponsor them for a temporary or permanent business visa.

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on relevant matters. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. You are advised to seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content contained in this website.

Amendments to Student Work Limitations

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has announced changes to visa conditions 8104 and 8105 relating to student visa holders’ work limitations.  The amendment will enable students to work 40 hours a fortnight as opposed to the current 20 hour a week limit.

Moreover, changes to the subclass 574 Postgraduate Research Sector visa conditions will entitle visa holders to unlimited work rights in the situation where they are undertaking their Masters degree.

Should you require advice regarding student visa conditions, please contact us for further information.

This is general information only and does not constitute legal advice.

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on relevant matters. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. You are advised to seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content contained in this website.

Introduction of Streamlined Visa Processing Arrangements for students

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

In response to the Knight Review commissioned by the Australian Government to assess the current student visa program, important changes will be introduced to improve the processing arrangements of student visas in recognition of the importance of the international student market to the Australian economy.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has announced that in the second half of 2012, Streamlined Visa Processing Arrangements (the SVP Arrangements) will be introduced. The SVP Arrangements are intended to reduce processing times and streamline the administration requirements for certain students of eligible universities.

The applicable student visa criteria for students to whom the SVP Arrangements apply to, will be those for the current lowest Assessment Level regardless of the student’s country of citizenship.

Universities are required to apply to DIAC to be deemed “eligible universities” under the scheme.

Should you require advice regarding student visa arrangements, please contact us for further information.

This is general information only and does not constitute legal advice.

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on relevant matters. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. You are advised to seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content contained in this website.

Alternative English Testing to IELTS Accepted

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

Certain student visas require applicants to demonstrate a certain level of English language ability. Prior to 5 November 2011, only the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test was the only test accepted by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) as proof of English language ability.

On 3 November 2011, the new legislative instrument regarding alternative English language testing came into effect. This allows for alternative English language proficiency tests to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test to be accepted in certain situations.

According to the instrument, the following English language proficiency tests may be considered an alternative to the IELTS test:

  1. the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Paper-Based test;
  2. the TOEFL Internet-Based test (also known as TOEFL iBT);
  3. the Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test (also known as Certificate in Advanced English);
  4. the Pearson Test of English Academic; and
  5. the Occupational English Test.

Specifications apply to each test which are set out in legislative instrument number IMMI 11/070 signed on 3 November 2011.

Should you require advice regarding student visa arrangements, please contact us for further information.

This is general information only and does not constitute legal advice.

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on relevant matters. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. You are advised to seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content contained in this website.

Citizens of Chile and Turkish Diplomatic Staff Now Eligible for e676 Tourist Visas

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

As of 20 September 2011, the list of eligible passport holders able to apply for the online e676 electronic tourist visa has expanded to include citizens of Chile and Turkish Special, Service and Diplomatic passport holders.

The e676 visa is an online tourist visa which enables people to visit Australia for a holiday or to visit family and friends. This visa may also be used for other short-term non-work purposes including study for less than three months. The advantage of the e676 visa is that it is lodged online and granted and recorded electronically so that no visa label is required and visa processing is relatively fast.

The e676 visa can be granted for three, six or twelve month periods and can allow for a single entry or multiple entries to Australia depending on the purpose of the visit and the visa applicant’s personal circumstances.

Aside from Chile and diplomatic staff from Turkey, passport holders from the following countries are currently eligible to apply for an online e676 tourist visa: Andorra, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, South Korea, Spain, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom – British Citizen, United States of America and Vatican City.

Should you have further enquiries about the e676 online tourist visa, please contact us for further information.

This is general information only and does not constitute legal advice.

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on relevant matters. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. You are advised to seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content contained in this website.