How to Get a Visa and Travel to Australia a 2021 Guide

The pandemic certainly complicates the bureaucracy of visa application. Our article is here to walk you through the list of all the steps you need to get an Australian visa, starting with the simplest one. Step 1: Take a look at the travel restrictions and exemptions Australia enacted a strict border policy to help control the domestic spread of COVID-19. Before you consider visiting Australia, you need to make sure that you are exempt of any travel restrictions. Australian citizen abroad looking to come home, immediate family members of Australian resident, and airline or maritime crew are in the exempt category, but there are also individual exemption that might allow you to enter the country. See the full list of travel exemption here. Step 2: Determine which type of visa you should apply Once you make sure that you are applicable for an exemption, you can now safely apply for a visa. Determining the right type of Australian visa might seemed overwhelming. The selection is quite vast, with over 50 types of visa for various purposes such as business, tourism, studying, and etcetera. Thankfully, there is a feature in the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ website that can help you pick the right visa. By answering a series of questions regarding your purpose of visit and nationality, the explore visa options will narrow down the selection of visa available for you. You can access the page here. Step 3: Make sure you can fulfill the requirements of your visa category Different type of visas, different requirements. To ensure that your visa application is approved by the Australian government, you have to make sure that you can fulfill the obligations of the visa category. For example, for a business visa you have to present a proof that you own a business in Australia, or the proof that you are part of an organization or enterprise. For tourist visa, you need to have sufficient funds to ensure that you are self-sufficient whilst travelling in the country. The list of obligations and requirements can be seen in each visa category in the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ website. Step 4: Create an ImmiAccount and fill out the form After determining the right type of visa, you can directly apply for it in the Australian Immigration portal. You will be directed to create an ImmiAccount, which is completed by filling out your general information such as name, nationality, phone number, and email address. After you successfully create an ImmiAccount, you can now apply for the visa of your choosing. After applying for a visa, you can track the progress and estimated time of approval on the same website. Step 5: Apply for an exemption online After the visa application is taken care of, you need to apply online for a proof of travel exemption. Without applying for an exemption, you cannot travel to Australia and the visa is rendered useless. You need to apply for an exemption for at least two weeks before the time of your planned travel, but no more than two months. You can apply for a travel restriction exemption here. Travelling, and Finally Arriving, in Australia With proper documentation (including but not limited to: passport, visa, and travel restriction exemption) you can now travel to Australia. The maximum duration of your stay is determined by the type of visa that you currently own – but worry not, you can apply for a visa extension in once you are on Australian soil. Enjoy your stay! For more information regarding travelling to Australia, check out our other articles here.