Tips for Applying for a Visit Visa to Australia with Friends

 

Australia is a beautiful, multi-cultural country that receives thousands of tourists each year from across the globe. If you’re planning to visit Australia with friends, your first concern probably isn’t how you’ll apply for your visa. But rather how to obtain one in the first place. The good news is, this process can be easier than you might think. Especially if you follow these simple tips to help with the process of applying for a visit visa to Australia with friends.

 

1) Decide if you can meet the requirements

The Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) is strict about who it allows entry into its borders. Before you can book your plane tickets, make sure you meet all of your visa’s requirements. The like proving you have enough funds and that you’ll leave when required. Depending on how long you intend to stay in Australia, there are three different types of visit visas. The visitor visas (subclass 600), tourist visas (subclass 676) and business visas (subclass e600). If you are traveling as part of a tour group or under similar circumstances. These may be easier options than applying for an individual visitor visa.

 

2) Use an Australian travel agency

Australian travel agency will help you avoid being overcharged by intermediaries and save yourself from running into problems with border control. If your trip is longer than six months. It’s a good idea to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes health care in case. You need medical attention during your trip. Your credit history will also play a role in determining whether or not you receive approval for your visa. If you have debt, don’t worry. Just include information about it on your application form; it doesn’t mean you won’t be approved. It simply means they will take note of it and make sure approve other visas until yours has been paid off.

 

3) Contact an Australian embassy

Visiting friends or family in Australia is usually a breeze. An Australian tourist visa will get you in for up to three months, and it’s relatively easy to secure. It costs about $50 US dollars and can be done entirely online. To increase your chances of success, contact your closest Australian embassy with some basic information first. If you’re traveling during peak season (mid-December through mid-January). There are more stringent requirements as visas become harder to come by due to high demand. The good news is that once you have a visit visa. It stays valid even if you change your travel plans later on.

 

4) Make sure your passport isn’t about to expire soon

One of your first steps applying for a visit visa to Australia should be ensuring that your passport is valid. It must be valid at least until your passport becomes invalid by virtue of your departure from Australia. If your passport becomes invalid during your trip. You will not be allowed entry into or exit from that country and could face penalties, including heavy fines. Once you have confirmed that you are eligible to enter a foreign country. Check its embassy’s website or contact its embassy directly before attempting any application forms.

 

5) Send in the application early

Always send your application in at least three months before you intend to travel. The processing time is six weeks, but many visas take even longer due to an overwhelming number of applications. Try sending it as soon as possible so you don’t have to worry about missing out on travel dates. They having your visa expire before you can use it.

 

6) Take care of the fees, but don’t pay more than you have to

Fees are required when applying for a visit visa. If your reason for visiting doesn’t require you to pay them, then don’t. They aren’t refundable and could mean your application is not as effective as it could be if you have cash-on-hand. Fees vary depending on whether you are an Australian or foreign citizen and who you will be visiting in Australia.

 

7) Submit all documents early as well

Once you have assembled all of your documents and letters. You will need to mail them to your local Australian consulate or embassy. There are specific submission deadlines for each stage of applying for a visa, and if you miss these deadlines. You will be forced to start over from scratch. Send your documents early as well—you never know when your mail will get lost in transit.

8) Bring photocopies of all documents submitted as originals are not returned

In some instances, you may need to provide original documents, including your passport. In most cases, however, you will be required only to submit copies of these documents. Do not assume that your visa agent can supply these materials. You should bring photocopies (not originals) of all materials submitted as part of your application packet. Also remember that you will have to submit copies when asked by immigration officials in Sydney. They any other Australian city that you visit on your trip. It is always better to err on the side of caution. And make extra copies rather than risk having nothing should an immigration official request them at some point during your stay in Australia.

 

9) Include supporting documents

Before you apply, be sure that your travel plans are solid and that you have everything in place (flight tickets, itinerary, etc.). You want your application for a visit visa to Australia to be as complete as possible. Also make sure you include any supporting documents such as reference letters from friends who will host you in Australia. Travel agents or tour guides can also write these on your behalf. If you’re not able to come up with two or more people who can write references on your behalf. Then it may prove difficult (though certainly not impossible) getting into Australia.

 

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