How to Apply Online for an Australian Tourist Visa - Step By Step Guide

kimchi · October 2016

thank you very much administrator. I have since consulted with an immigration agent and awaiting for further info.

Xiaomau82 · October 2016

kimchi said:
thank you very much administrator. I have since consulted with an immigration agent and awaiting for further info.

goodluck

axlrose · October 2016

Hello! If applying for parents/family in the Philippines for a tourist visa, ok lang ba na ako (I live in AU) mag-create and mg-access ng Immiaccount for them without indicating in the application that I'm providing assistance? Mas easier at mas mabilis kase kung ako na lang since I've gone through the process already at di rin kase sila tech-savvy hehe. I'll use their e-mail accounts para sa e-mail correspondence.. Appreciate your help! Thank you!

axlrose · October 2016

Another question, if I would apply for my siblings in the Phils for a Tourist stream visa (not a sponsored family visa), and kkgraduate lng nila and kkstart lang mgwork so minimal savings pa lng and one is still studying, would it help if our parents would provide a letter of financial support for them for their visit? We'll also provide evidence of our funds here in AU. Thank you for your help.

Aiza05 · October 2016

axlrose said:
Hello! If applying for parents/family in the Philippines for a tourist visa, ok lang ba na ako (I live in AU) mag-create and mg-access ng Immiaccount for them without indicating in the application that I'm providing assistance? Mas easier at mas mabilis kase kung ako na lang since I've gone through the process already at di rin kase sila tech-savvy hehe. I'll use their e-mail accounts para sa e-mail correspondence.. Appreciate your help! Thank you!

Hi @axlrose

I've got the same question as well in my mind but naisip ko if tayo ang ggawa ng application for our relatives, might as well tayo nrin ang maging authorised recipient ng lahat ng written communications from immigration..you just have to fill up a form 956 (Advice by migration agent/ exempt person of providing immigration assistance and ask them to sign it..may nabasa kasi ako na if tayong andto sa australia ang mgaasikaso ng application, much easier for the applicant and relatives alike..may plans din kasi ako iinvite mga brothers ko early next year and just started the whole process, slowly nga lang since busy din ako sa work at may ilang months pa nman..

for ur other question, I think ang pinaka importanteng financial evidence ay manggagaling satin, may family friend ako dto based on her experience, may ininvite sya na neighbour at childhood friend nya from Philippines, walang ka pera pera and may mga anak pa so more probably iisipin ng immigration sa Phil na bka mg TNT sya dto kasi gwa ng situation nya pero still shes been given a visa..bsta provided lhat ng friend ko ang financial evidence, as in lahat ng maippresent nya, properties, bank account, credit line etc..hope that helps ;-) wait natin reply ng iba ;-)

axlrose · October 2016

@Aiza05 Thanks for your reply! Yun nga din pla question ko sana, kase nabasa ko nga din na we can act as an "exempt person" since close family naman ang inaapplyan natin. Medyo unsure pa nga lang ako kaya naisip ko kung puwedeng Immiaccount lng gawin ko, fill-up the forms for them, upload docs (with the pretense na sila yung gumawa nun, hehe) tpos yung mga e-mail correspondence directed na sa e-mail accounts nila. Pero ok din lang naman yung first option wherin iappoint tau as the authorised recipient.

I hope may mgshare dito kung natry na nila any of the 2 options: 1)act as the authorised recipient or 2)set-up Immiaccount and assist with the online application

Yung sa siblings ko naman, they still live with our parents at ung ngaaral financially dependent pa naman sa parents namin so naisip ka baka a letter from them would help, aside from our proof of funds here in AU. Or pag ganong case nga na kami ang mgffinancially support ng trip ng siblings ko, should we go for the sponsored-family stream visa then instead of the tourism visa? Yung sa sponsored nga lang, they might ask you to provide a bond. Tourism stream visa ba yung inapplyan ng friend mo or sponsored? Medyo confusing din pala. hehe, I'll try to read-up more on that and I hope may mgshare din ng experiences nila dito. Salamat!

Aiza05 · October 2016

axlrose said:
@Aiza05 Thanks for your reply! Yun nga din pla question ko sana, kase nabasa ko nga din na we can act as an "exempt person" since close family naman ang inaapplyan natin. Medyo unsure pa nga lang ako kaya naisip ko kung puwedeng Immiaccount lng gawin ko, fill-up the forms for them, upload docs (with the pretense na sila yung gumawa nun, hehe) tpos yung mga e-mail correspondence directed na sa e-mail accounts nila. Pero ok din lang naman yung first option wherin iappoint tau as the authorised recipient.

I hope may mgshare dito kung natry na nila any of the 2 options: 1)act as the authorised recipient or 2)set-up Immiaccount and assist with the online application

Yung sa siblings ko naman, they still live with our parents at ung ngaaral financially dependent pa naman sa parents namin so naisip ka baka a letter from them would help, aside from our proof of funds here in AU. Or pag ganong case nga na kami ang mgffinancially support ng trip ng siblings ko, should we go for the sponsored-family stream visa then instead of the tourism visa? Yung sa sponsored nga lang, they might ask you to provide a bond. Tourism stream visa ba yung inapplyan ng friend mo or sponsored? Medyo confusing din pala. hehe, I'll try to read-up more on that and I hope may mgshare din ng experiences nila dito. Salamat!

@axlrose ,

No worries! Glad to help esp. pag may konting alam ako about the topic..sa tingin ko lang huh mas madali (for me) kc ung minention ko na option since bata prn mga kapatid ko at ngaaral pa kya much better na ako na ang mag asikaso lahat at ako lang din nman ng asikaso lahat ng tourist visa namin dati pa nung wla pang online application hehehe!..that is my opinion lang and based nrn sa experience ko at mga analyzation ng mga procedure.

Nope, never go for sponsored-family stream kasi malaki ang chance na hingan ka ng bond..ung iba ko kakilala yan ang inapplayan pra ata mkapg stay ng mas matagal ang parents nila pero kung pra ipasyal lng dto ay tama na ang simpleng tourist visa..ung sa friend ko, tourist visa lang..even nung wedding ko dto and ininvite ko parents ko at isang tita at pamangkin ko, tourist visa lng inapply ko for them..sinabi ko lang ang totoong reason (to attend my wedding) and na grant sila ng 3 month visa...pinaganda at inayos ko ng sobra ang invitation letter pra convincing tlg na hndi sila mgooverstay dto at supported namin kuno ang lahat ng gastos nila dto..ganon lang..turo lang din sakin yan ng friend ko na bsta genuine ka sa mga reasons mo ng paginvite sa mga relatives mo and as much as possible, provide mo lahat ng evidence of funds pra convincing for the immigration na kaya mo silang supportahan for the duration ng stay nila dto..and may nangyari din kasi sa bestfriend ko last year, I invited her eh since I didn't pay enough attention to the application kya na deny sya..reason being is, ang laki dw kasi ng fund nya sa bangko which is hndi dw kapani paniwala na hndi sya mgooverstay dto, her age as well since marrying age sya that time and single, wlang offspring and solong anak sya kya sa tingin ng immigration mg ooverstay sya dto to either work or look for a spouse, when consulted this to my friend, sabi nya dpat normal bank account (kung saan napasok ang salary nya, not the bank account na may malaking pera) and dpat inayos ko ang invitation letter lol! Lesson learned: wag gawing biro ang tourist visa hehehe! Good luck! ;-)

teachjenny · October 2016

@axlrose Hello Axlrose

You do not need to pretend na kunwari sila ang nag lodge ng visa application online. Mas okay nga na dito mo gawin sa Australia ang online visa application ng tourist visas nila.

I have lodged so many visas kaso mga student visas nga lang. Ang advantage ng online application is kahit saan ka man pwede ka mag lodge. Ang napansin ko pag sa Australia na lodge online ang visas, di ganun ka strict.

axlrose · October 2016

@Aiza05 Salamat sa pag-share and for the very helpful advice. I'm leaning towards the 956 form-Authorized/exempt person option; sa bagay konting additional effort na lang naman yun at ako rin lng naman talaga mgllakad nung application online.

@teachjenny Thank you! yes, I'll do the online application and complete the 956 form as well. Did you have to complete the 956 form when you applied for others' student visas? I guess kailangan ko lang talaga assurance na tama ginagawa ko or pagkaintindi ko, hehe. Salamat!

Aiza05 · October 2016

axlrose said:
@Aiza05 Salamat sa pag-share and for the very helpful advice. I'm leaning towards the 956 form-Authorized/exempt person option; sa bagay konting additional effort na lang naman yun at ako rin lng naman talaga mgllakad nung application online.

@teachjenny Thank you! yes, I'll do the online application and complete the 956 form as well. Did you have to complete the 956 form when you applied for others' student visas? I guess kailangan ko lang talaga assurance na tama ginagawa ko or pagkaintindi ko, hehe. Salamat!

@axlrose ur welcome! glad to help ;-) yep..and its still really up to u, yan ay sa analyzation ko lng ng pedeng options but I guess wlang harm sa pagttry...if u still in doubt, read mo lahat about tourist visa esp. don sa form 956..I guess lahat halos ng info na need mo andon sa website lol! Nung 2011, wla pang online application at wla tlg ako kaalam alam sa mga visa dto at nsa pinas pako non, never ako gumamit ng agent or solicitor sa mga visa ko..self-taught lang din ako tska tyaga sa pagreresearch at pag read ng lahat ng nsa website and nakaraos nman ng wlang aberya/sabit and got the visas on time (except of course don sa tourist visa ng bestfrined ko lol!) kayang kaya mo yan..goodluck! ;-) Balitaan mo kami regarding sa application mo huh kasi soon mgapply din ako online for my brothers..thanks in advance ;-)

axlrose · October 2016

Hello ulit! I've been doing some reading sa requirements ng tourist visa and I just wanted to ask if sufficient na po ba yung Form 956a Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient if I would just be setting up the Immi-account, filling up the forms for them, uploading docs for them, and receiving the correspondence . Or do I also have to fill up the Form 956 Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance ? I'm not sure if the assistance I would be giving is classified as "immigration assistance" kaya medyo confused ulit ako. Your advice would be highly appreciated! Thank you!

Aiza05 · October 2016

axlrose said:
Hello ulit! I've been doing some reading sa requirements ng tourist visa and I just wanted to ask if sufficient na po ba yung Form 956a Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient if I would just be setting up the Immi-account, filling up the forms for them, uploading docs for them, and receiving the correspondence . Or do I also have to fill up the Form 956 Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance ? I'm not sure if the assistance I would be giving is classified as "immigration assistance" kaya medyo confused ulit ako. Your advice would be highly appreciated! Thank you!

@axlrose

No need to use the form 956A kasi ung form 956 is enough na..if you gonna read thoroughly ung info page ng form 956A nakalagay don ay:
"Do not use this form if: • you are appointing a migration agent or exempt person to provide you with immigration assistance and they will also be your authorised recipient."

form 956 says:
"Who should use this form? This form can only be used by: • a registered migration agent; • a non-registered migration agent outside Australia; or • an exempt person."

"This form should be used to notify the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (the department) that: • you have been appointed by a client (eg. a visa applicant) to provide immigration assistance with matters under the Migration Act 1958 and, if applicable, to receive documents on their behalf; ..."

"What is immigration assistance? A person gives immigration assistance if he or she uses, or claims to use, his or her knowledge or experience in migration procedure to assist a person with matters related under the Migration Act 1958. The most common times assistance is provided is during visa application processes, visa cancellation processes or sponsorship processes (including monitoring or sanctions). Note: Immigration assistance does not include simply filling in an application form, translating or interpreting or passing on information about an application without comment or explanation."

"Exempt persons:
"The following people do not have to be registered as migration agents in order to provide immigration assistance: • a close family member (spouse, child, adopted child, parent, brother or sister of a visa applicant); • a sponsor or nominator for a visa applicant; • a member of parliament or their staff; • an official whose duties include providing immigration assistance; • a member of a diplomatic mission, consular post or international organisation. As an exempt person you must not charge a fee for your service. In Australia, if you do charge a fee you are committing an offence and penalties of up to 10 years jail can apply."

If halos lahat ng proseso ay ggawin mo and if u want na ikaw ang mgreciv ng lahat ng written communications from the department, I guess ikaw ay considered as an exempt person :-)

Sorry about the confusion, lalo ata kita ginulo lol! Wait natin sagot ng iba kc I might be wrong ;-)

Aiza05 · October 2016

@axlrose sorry forgot to mention if you gonna read the heading of form 956 it says: ADVICE BY A MIGRATION AGENT/ EXEMPT PERSON OF PROVIDING IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE, which inlcudes a section in the form about AUTHORISED RECIPIENT..while form 956A says: APPOINTMENT OR WITHDRAWAL OF AN AUTHORISED RECIPIENT..see the difference? Again sorry for the confusion and sna nkatulong to kahit konti to clear things up lol!

teachjenny · October 2016

@axlrose Hi,

Yes. Lahat ng inaaply ko na students visa I submitted 956A as Authorised Recipient (when u are in the online application - tick mo ang "Another person" as authorised recipient). The corresponce will go to your email.

teachjenny · October 2016

@axlrose

Authorised recipient ka. Do not tick the box na "Migration Agent"....

axlrose · October 2016

@aiza05 Thanks ulit! Sorry my bad, you are right, it's either 956 or 956a, but not both. The reason why I asked is that I wasn't sure kung yung scope ng assistance na ggawin ko is considered as "immigration assistance" kase as you quoted "Note: Immigration assistance does not include simply filling in an application form, translating or interpreting or passing on information about an application without comment or explanation." (which is un lng naman tlaga ggwin ko: fill up forms for them online, ask them to submit docs, and receive correspondence) and yung knowledge ko lng with immigration procedures is limited to my experience when we applied for our visa (not sure if that is enough to qualify as immigration assistance?). So naisip ko baka sufficient na nga yung 956A/Authorised recipient na role lng. And from what Ive read from previous posts here, 956A lang sinubmit nila pero sila na din ngapply online through their Immi. Sensya na and salamat rin sa info, sa tingin ko either options would be fine. Masyado ko lng siguro inooveranalyze ung definition of terms at explanation, pero nice to post it here para maka gather na rin tayo ng info from those who have successfully applied

Thanks for taking the time to reply!

@teachjenny Salamat! I'll take note of your advice. I've read previous posts and 956a nga din sinubmit nila so at least clear na ako sa part na yun. Thanks for your help!

Aiza05 · October 2016

@axlrose no worries at least lahat tayo may natutunan by sharing infos and experience lol! Just to clear things up..qinoute q lng yang mga yan from info pages ng form 956 and 956A hehehe! Balitaan mo kami about sa outcome huh..goodluck!

@teachjenny thanks for clarifying about form 956a..nice to know that!

Aiza05 · November 2016

hi @axlrose! kumusta nga pla ung visa application mo?

Update nga pla guys..this is based on my experience mismo..inapply ko thru online ng tourist visa c brother ko nung monday lang then after 2 days nbgyan na agad sya ng visa..ang bilis na pala ma grant nuh, samantalang dati ung samin ng relatives ko like 5 years ago, it took us 2-3 weeks waiting bago mbgyan ng visa lol! Kaso restricted ang visa na binigay nila kay brother..1 month stay period lang and must not arrive after Feb.9, 2017..lupet! lol! While ung samin dati, 1 year validity and up to 3 months stay period..engot ko lang din kc, 4 weeks lang ang nilagay ko sa invitation lol! >:( :-)

Aiza05 · November 2016

Mga kabayan:

Question lang sa mga naka experience na and thanks in advance sa mga mkkpagbigay ng kahit anong input.

As I review the visa grant notice ng brother, tiningnan ko agd ang visa conditions nya..ang mga nakalagay ay 8101-NO WORK and 8201- MAXIMUM 3 MONTHS STUDY...meaning ba nito pede sya mg extend ng stay dto, if magustuhan nya, as long as mgrere-apply sya onshore ng TV?

teachjenny · November 2016

Hi Aiza,

https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Stud/More/Visa-conditions/visa-conditions-family

Yes pwede. Unless walang nakalagay na 'No Further Stay' condition, pwede mag apply ng another visa while in Australia ang bro mo..

"If you are in Australia you can apply for the Tourist stream of the Visitor visa online provided you currently have a valid visa that does not have condition 8503 imposed."

Aiza05 said:
Mga kabayan:

Question lang sa mga naka experience na and thanks in advance sa mga mkkpagbigay ng kahit anong input.

As I review the visa grant notice ng brother, tiningnan ko agd ang visa conditions nya..ang mga nakalagay ay 8101-NO WORK and 8201- MAXIMUM 3 MONTHS STUDY...meaning ba nito pede sya mg extend ng stay dto, if magustuhan nya, as long as mgrere-apply sya onshore ng TV?

Aiza05 · November 2016

@teachjenny Ok..just in case lang na magustuhan ni brother na mg stay longer, kya nireready ko na ang mga back up plan..thanks for shedding light on this and will look thoroughly again ung letter from immigration ;-)

Angel1014 · November 2016

@Xiaomau82 Hello po. ask ko lang. na grant po ako single entry tourist visa nung september. pumunta ako sa australia nung october for 2 weeks. ok lang ba apply ulit aka tourist visa to spend christmas sa australia khit yung unang tourist visa ko nkalagay valid until March 2017?

Xiaomau82 · November 2016

Angel1014 said:
@Xiaomau82 Hello po. ask ko lang. na grant po ako single entry tourist visa nung september. pumunta ako sa australia nung october for 2 weeks. ok lang ba apply ulit aka tourist visa to spend christmas sa australia khit yung unang tourist visa ko nkalagay valid until March 2017?

yes pwede. valid sia til march pero single entry, so di mo na magagamit uli yan.

hopefully · December 2016

Anybody here in the Philippines who successfully traveled to and from Australia, I need an answer for this paragraph from my Visa Grant Fact Sheet. It says there, "There are guidelines on departure formalities for all international bound Philippine nationals", and when I opened the link it provided this is the message from the Australian Embassy in the Philippines' website:

"There are guidelines on departure formalities for all international bound Philippine nationals
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) conducts a mandatory Guidance and Counselling Program for departing Filippino spouses, fiance and other partners of foreign nationals.

All Philippines nationals travelling to Australia should check with the CFO in order to comply with exit requirements. This applies equally to whether you hold a temporary or permanent Australian visa.

Failure to comply with the CFO requirements may result in delays departing the Philippines.

Further information can be found on the following Philippines Government websites:

See: Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO)

See: Bureau of Immigration (BI)

See: Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)"

Do I need to arrange an appointment with CFO prior departure? My flight is already on Wednesday, I am really worried about this.

Thanks you for your answers "kababayan".

God bless us all

engr_maylene052581 · December 2016

Hi talagang bang automatic na lumalabas ing health request pag nagsubmit online? Need na ba agad magpamedical or wait sa advised mg immigration officer?

Xiaomau82 · December 2016

engr_maylene052581 said:
Hi talagang bang automatic na lumalabas ing health request pag nagsubmit online? Need na ba agad magpamedical or wait sa advised mg immigration officer?

yes, better to wait to the case officer's request. mejo mahal din ung medical kasi.

Xiaomau82 · December 2016

hopefully said:
Anybody here in the Philippines who successfully traveled to and from Australia, I need an answer for this paragraph from my Visa Grant Fact Sheet. It says there, "There are guidelines on departure formalities for all international bound Philippine nationals", and when I opened the link it provided this is the message from the Australian Embassy in the Philippines' website:

"There are guidelines on departure formalities for all international bound Philippine nationals
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) conducts a mandatory Guidance and Counselling Program for departing Filippino spouses, fiance and other partners of foreign nationals.

All Philippines nationals travelling to Australia should check with the CFO in order to comply with exit requirements. This applies equally to whether you hold a temporary or permanent Australian visa.

Failure to comply with the CFO requirements may result in delays departing the Philippines.

Further information can be found on the following Philippines Government websites:

See: Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO)

See: Bureau of Immigration (BI)

See: Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)"

Do I need to arrange an appointment with CFO prior departure? My flight is already on Wednesday, I am really worried about this.

Thanks you for your answers "kababayan".

God bless us all

PR ba or visitor visa? ang alam ko yan ung Pre departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) para sa mga mag migrate to australia, not for visitor visa holder.

carie · December 2016

hello po,pag nag apply po ba ng tourist visa need ba ng sponsor ng credits cards?show money at security bond?pahelp nman po

batman · December 2016

@carie during my time they did not require any sponsor's credit cards, no show money or security bond. Though we presented proof of our available cash.