Favourable climate exists only in the eastern and south western coasts. The North and Central areas are hot and humid.
Time Difference
:
Three time zones exist. These span from IST (+) 4½ hrs to IST (+) 2½ hrs.
Currency and Exchange rates
:
Australian Dollars are in the denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5 notes. Coins in the denominations of 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents are also in circulation. 100 cents =1A$
The Australian Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) is in charge of issuing the visas to foreign nationals. Foreigners (except New Zealand passport holders) visiting Australia need a visa. Applicants from India, Nepal and Bhutan are not eligible for ETA’s. Hence they must apply for a visitors’ visa at the appropriate DIMIA Visa Office.
There are two DIMIA Visa Offices in India: New Delhi and Mumbai.
DIMIA’s New Delhi office processes visa applications for:
All family (including spouse, children, parents) and humanitarian permanent entry visa applications from India, Nepal and Bhutan, and
Student visa applications from all states in India, Nepal and Bhutan;
Visitor and temporary residence visa applications from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh as well as from Nepal and Bhutan.
DIMIA’s Mumbai Office processes visa applications for:
All skilled permanent entry visa applications from India, Nepal and Bhutan lodged prior to 1 November 2001. After that date, all applicants must lodge their applications for skilled permanent entry visas at the Adelaide Skilled Processing Center.
Visitor and temporary residence visa applications from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat.
Hours of work
9:30 AM and 12:30 PM - Monday to Friday.
Applications can be made in person, by mail or by courier (currently First Flight Couriers Limited).
Common Documents for all types of visas
Irrespective of the type of visa for which the applicant is applying for, he has to submit certain common documents. These are:
Completed and signed application
Visa fees (in the form of a bank draft in Indian Rupees, payable either to the Australian High Commission, New Delhi or the Australian Consulate General, Mumbai depending on the place where the application is to be submitted.
Passport with 2 unused visa pages.
Recent passport sized photographs.
Only originals (in some cases certified copies) of documents must be submitted.
All those documents that are not presented in English must be translated.
Return of Documents/Passports
Applicants may collect their passports from the Delhi Visa Office between 8.30 AM to 12 noon - Monday to Friday. They can collect their passports from the Mumbai Office from 2 PM to 4 PM.Passports that are to be returned by mail will be returned by Speed Post or Registered post.
Based on the purpose of visit, the table underneath will help the applicant in
(i) deciding the forms he has to submit;
(ii) the validity of the visa and
(iii) the time the applicant can stay in Australia.
Visitor Visa Purpose
Subclass
Form required
How long the visa remains valid
The length of time permitted in Australia on each arrival
Short visit for tourism or visiting family
676
48R
Stay of up to maximum of 3 months
Valid for maximum of 12 months
Long visit for tourism or visiting family
686
48R
Stay of more than 3 months up to maximum of 12 months
Valid for more than 12 months
Short visit for medical treatment
675
48ME
Stay of up to maximum of 3 months
Valid for maximum of 12 months
Long visit for medical treatment
685
48ME
Stay of more than 3 months up to maximum of 12 months
Valid for more than 12 months
Transiting Australia to join a ship or another flight to a third country
771
876
Stay of less than 72 hours
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Depending upon the type of visitor’s visa, besides the above mentioned application forms, different additional of documents must be submitted by the applicant.
Subclasses 676/686 (Short or long stay visitor visa)
For short / long stay visitor visa, an applicant must provide the following documents:
One recent passport sized photograph of each applicant (If the applicant is over 70 years of age, then, he must enclose four photographs).
Original leave letter from the applicant’s employer. The letter must clearly state the applicant’s job designation, his monthly salary and the exact dates of leave. If applicant is self-employed, evidence of the applicant’s business must be submitted.
Details of the applicant’s proposed activities in Australia.
Completed ‘details of relatives’ form.
If applicant has a sponsor, a letter from applicant’s sponsor stating the relationship between him and the applicant and the reason for sponsorship. The sponsor must present evidence of his resident status in Australia.
Evidence of sufficient funds for the duration of the applicant’s visit, either by the applicant or his sponsor (e.g. Bank statements showing transactions for the last 3 months).
Evidence of funds/assets held by the applicant in India.
Student applicants must provide a letter from their educational institution detailing the dates of vacation. In case if the student is taking time of during the course, then, the letter must state the reasons for taking a leave.
If the applicant is a child below the age of 18 years of age, and if the child is traveling without any of the parents or one of them, then, there must be a written authority from the parent who is not traveling with the child. The written authority must authorize the child to travel to Australia. A Gazetted Officer must attest the authority. It must be accompanied by evidence of the parent’s identity (e.g. passport).
Show evidence that the necessary visa fees is paid
