Australia is a popular destination for Indians looking to visit far-off places away from the continent of Asia, and this has been the trend for years. Today, there are so many Australian Indians who either have good dual citizenship or are first-generation offsprings of Indian migrants. An Australian visa for Indian citizens is available in different classes based on the needs of the Indian traveler, and they are available at the Aussie embassy in New Delhi and other consulates.
Australia’s Visa Policy
According to the visa policy of the Australian government as contained in the Migration Act of 1958, every foreigner from a non-visa-exempt country must get a visa before entering the country. The authority to administer this rule is vested in the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. This department enforces the law very strictly, but Indians with visas have nothing to worry about as long as they are coming to the country for legal reasons.
Do Indians Need Visas?
All Indian visitors who are not Australian citizens must apply for visas and obtain them bridge they are allowed to travel to Australia. India is not on the visa-exempt list, so this document is mandatory.
Types of Australian Visa
There are different types of Australian visas, and they are as follows.
Visitor Visa: The visitor visa is flexible for business persons and tourists. Based on their validity, this visa is of different types; we have the three months, two months, and 12 months visitor visa.
Transit Visa: A transit visa is valid for Indians who wish to transit through Australia but stay for not more than 72 hours. Travelers with no intention to leave the airport don’t need visas.
Medical Treatment Visa: The medical treatment visa is for persons seeking medical consultations and care in Australia. Note that this visa doesn’t cover surrogacy.
Working Holiday Visa: A Working Holiday visa is designed exclusively for persons between 18-30 years old. With this visa, they can extend their holidays by working to earn extra money to supplement their savings. However, the work can last up to 12 months and is only open to citizens from selected countries.
Work & Holiday Visa: This is another type of work holiday visa with the same feature but is open to a different category of foreign nationals.
Student Visa: Indian students interested in schooling in Australia can avail of this visa. It grants them the legal permit to study credit courses in any academic institution they are admitted into.
Special Program: A special program visa is for special programs approved by the authorities. These programs offer cultural and community opportunities in Australia.
Permanent Resident Visa: This visa is issued to those who qualify to become permanent residents in the country after meeting certain requirements over the years. It is guided by a separate law that grants the holder complete rights to live and work in Australia, and they have access to special benefits like the Medicare program.
Other types of visas include the Resident Return Visa, Special Category Visa, Provisional Resident Return Visa, Confirmatory Resident Visa, etc.
As you can see, several visas are available to Indian citizens who meet different requirements.
Requirements For an Australian Visa
The requirements for this visa will depend on the type of visa you are applying for, so ensure you do your due diligence before submitting your application. However, here are the requirements for Indians seeking a tourist visa.
Original Passport: An original Indian passport with a minimum of six months validity beyond the departure travel date. If they have any old passports no longer in use, they should also submit them. In addition, they must also submit photocopies of every page in the booklet with a notary on each one.
Visa Application Form: A duly signed and completed visa application form with all the correct details.
Photograph: Two passport photographs that meet the visa application policy of the Australian immigration service.
Cover Letter: A signed cover letter explaining the reasons for the trip, including passport and travel details, etc.
Pan/Aadhaar Card: A copy of their card for identification.
Bank Statement: An original stamped and sealed bank statement covering the last six months showing a sufficient balance to cover their expenses, including other financial documents like property documents, shares, and other financial instruments.
Additional information and documents not listed here may be required by the Australian embassy in India, which must be provided before their application can be processed. While a visa interview may be required for new applicants, there may be non for those seeking visa renewal.
Before seeking an Australian visa for Indian citizens, be sure of the type of visa you want and the requirements. Once you have everything in place, you can approach the embassy in New Delhi or any consulate in the country.