Australian Immigration Daily News

The Department of Home Affairs announced today changes to lodgement procedures for certain types of visitor visa applications.   As part of the new lodgement procedure, it is mandatory that all non-internet based applications made by applicants for a Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa in the Sponsored Family stream must be sent by post or courier to a specified address in Sydney, regardless of the location of the applicant’s sponsor. Under previous (pre- 1 July requirements), applications made by post or courier had to be sent to a specified address in either Sydney or Brisbane, depending on the state in which the applicant’s sponsor was located. 

In addition, post 1 July 2018 requirements for visitor vis applications will require that all non-internet based applications made by applicants in Australia for a Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa in the Tourist stream must be made by post or courier to a specified address in Sydney, instead of Adelaide. 

The new address to post non- internet applications made on or after 1 July will be as follows: 

by posting the application with the correct prepaid postage to: 

Department of Home Affairs

Onshore Visitor Visa Processing

GPO Box 9984

Sydney NSW 2001

AUSTRALIA; 

or

by delivery by courier service to: 

Department of Home Affairs

Onshore Visitor Visa Processing

Level 3

26 Lee Street

Sydney NSW 2000

AUSTRALIA

According to the latest statistics published by Home Affairs, 5.3 million visitor visas and 4.1 million e-visitor visas were granted during the last migration year intake.   

The purpose of the visitor visa is to visit for tourist or for business visitor purposes for up to three, six or 12 months.  Business visitor visas allow individuals to carry out limited business activities including: 

• making general business or employment enquiries
• investigating, negotiating, signing or reviewing a business contract
• activities carried out as part of an official government-to-government visit
• participating in conferences, trade fairs or seminars, as long as you are not being paid by the organisers for your participation. 

The base application charge for this visa ranges from AUD140 to AUD1020. The eVisitor (subclass 651) visa is free. You must be a passport holder of a certain country.  Most applications are processed within 1 to 4 weeks from the lodgement date making this visa an attractive option to visit Australia on a short-term basis. 

Source: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2018L00806