News Flash

New online visa lodgment and Frequent Traveller Visitor visa for Chinese applicants, from 12 Dec '16

14-Dec-2016

Two new developments just made visa applications for Chinese visitors much easier. Both came into effect on 12 December 2016.

1.   Online visa lodgment

Chinese visa applicants are now able to lodge visitor visa applications online, in Simplified Chinese, through a new service provided by Australian Visa Application Centres (AVACs).

This means visitors no longer have to personally visit an office to apply for a Visitor visa (Subclass 600)Tourist stream visa. Applications will then be translated and sent to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection for processing.

More information on how to apply can be found at the VFS Global website.

2. Trial of Frequent Traveller Visitor visa for Chinese passport holders

The Australian government is trying out a new 10-year ‘Frequent Traveller’ Visitor visa for holders of passports from the People’s Republic of China applying from within Mainland China.

Who should apply for this visa?

This visa best suits visitors from China who have long-term plans to visit Australia frequently for short periods at a time.

How long can I stay for?

The ‘Frequent Traveller’ visa allows a stay in Australia for up to three months per visit, with multiple entries permitted.  Visa holders will be allowed a cumulative stay of no more than 12 months in any 24-month period.

How do I apply for it?

Chinese passport holders need to make an appointment to provide biometrics identifiers (fingerprints and photograph) at an Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) in China before lodging an application. The visa will be available online only and has a visa application charge of AUD1000.

Appointments for biometrics collection can be made on the VFS global website.

Given it is still only at a trial stage, T=there are a limited number of Frequent Traveller visas available. Applicants should consider whether this is the most appropriate visa option for them. More information about available visa options for Chinese visitors can be found here.

If you would like to find out more about visa requirements for visiting Australia, feel free to speak to oneof our immigration specialists today.

Source: DIBP