| Q.1. Where can I submit my visa application? |
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All visa applications (with the exception
of refugee applications) should be submitted with VFS
offices in Dubai and Abu
Dhabi or through selected Aramex
offices throughout the GCC Countries. |
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| Q.2. Which visa applications
do I submit with VFS? |
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All visa applications can be submitted
to VFS for assessment and decision by the Visa and Citizenship
Section at the Australian Consulate-General Dubai. |
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| Q.3. What applications
should be submitted at the Australian Consulate General?
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Visa and Citizenship by Decent applications
may be submitted at the Australian Consulate-General Dubai
by appointment only. Please call +971 4 355 1958 to make
an appointment. |
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| Q.4. Where do I get
the visa application forms ? |
| You can download the forms from the website
www.immi.gov.au or or request them at the VFS counters
or nominated Aramex Centres. |
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| Q.5. How do I pay?
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Payment can be by cash or Demand Draft
drawn in favour of "VFS GCC LLC " payable in
Dubai & taken from a Bank. Exchange
company Demand Drafts are not acceptable. |
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| Q. 6. What is the visa
application charge or visa fee? |
| The application charge depends on the
type of visa you are seeking. All visa application charges
are non-refundable whether your visa is granted, refused
or withdrawn. |
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| Q.7. How do I submit
my application form ? |
| Applications can be submitted in person
or by courier with any of the VFS offices in the United Arab Emirates or through
selected Aramex offices throughout the GCC Countries.
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| Q.8. What is a valid
application ? |
| To make a valid application for any visa
you must submit the relevant completed application form
signed personally by the applicant, together with the
non-refundable visa application charge and service charge
in cash or in the form of a Demand Draft in favour of
"VFS GCC LLC". The application form must be
the latest acceptable design date which can be confirmed
on www.immi.gov.au You will need to provide a valid passport
with 2 unused visa pages. Please note that visa labels
cannot be affixed on additional pages (inserts). If you
have no more unused pages you should obtain a new passport.
You will need to provide one recent passport-style photograph
as indicated on your visa application form You should
provide all relevant information and documents together
with the application. Incomplete applications take longer
to process and may be refused because of lack of evidence.
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| Q.9. What are the documents
required ? |
| You should check the website for requisites
as per the visa category you are applying for or visit
www.immi.gov.au. |
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| Q.10. Will I need to
have a medical examination or a chest x-ray? |
| All applicants for a visa to Australia must meet health
requirements. Whether you are required to undergo a chest
xray, full medicals or provide a medical fitness certificate
depends on: how long you intend to stay in Australia; your intended activities
in Australia and how old you
are Please refer to the information sheets for details
on each subclass |
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| Q.11. Will I be called
for an interview ? |
| If an interview is required you will be
intimated by VFS after lodging the application. |
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| Q.12. How do I find
out about the progress of my case? |
| Please do not telephone to find out about
your case if it is within the usual processing times.
Unnecessary inquiries delay the processing of visa applications,
including yours. Email is the preferred method for essential
inquiries regarding your visa application. All emails
should be sent to info@vfs.ae.
Please remember to quote your bar code number in your
email. Please note that Australian privacy legislation
generally prevents the Visa Offices from disclosing information
about visa applications to anyone other than the applicant.
This means that if someone contacts the Visa Offices for
you to inquire about your visa application, the Visa Office
will not be able to provide them with any information
unless you have provided the Visa Office with written
authorisation to release information to the person. |
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| Q.13. What happens
if my application is refused ? |
| Some applicants, in particular visa classes,
have review rights and may apply to the appropriate review
tribunal in Australia.
The letter which informs you that your application has
been refused will state whether you are entitled to apply
for review of the decision. If the type of visa you have
applied for does not have a right of review you may apply
again if you believe there is new or additional information
that supports your application. In either case, reconsideration
of your refused application by the Australian Visa Office
is not possible. |
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| Q.14. Why was my application
refused ? |
| VFS is not involved in the assessing of
the applications, the reasons for your refusal are outlined
in letter of advice of decisions. |
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| Q.15. I want my application
to be reconsidered ? |
| There is no legal basis to reconsider
an application once a decision has been made unless there
has been an error of law. Your case was refused, as you
did not fulfill the legal requirements for a visa. If
you have information addressing those refusal reasons
or a change in circumstance since your previous application,
you can submit a fresh application along with all the
necessary documentation. |
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| Q.16. How will the
passport be returned ? |
| The passport will be returned at the VFS
counter or via courier to the address provided by you
at the time of application. |
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| Q.17. I am an Australian
Permanent Resident but have not been in Australia for
2 of the last 5 years, can I still get my Resident Return
Visa? |
| You may still qualify if you can demonstrate
that you have - proof that you have substantial business,
cultural, employment or personal ties with Australia
which are of benefit to Australia;
and compelling reasons for your absence from Australia ; and/or proof that
you have a family member who is an Australian citizen.
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| Q.18. I am transiting
through Australia to another country but won't be leaving
the airport in Australia, do I still need a visa?
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| If you are staying in Australia up to 72 hours en
route to another country you do require a Transit visa.
- If you will be in Australia
for less than eight hours on your way to New Zealand your application
must include a completed form 876, your itinerary and
confirmed onward bookings and a valid NZ visa. - If in
transit for up to 72 hours you need to provide the documents
as outlined in the Information Sheet. |
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| Q.19. What is an ETA
? |
| An ETA is equivalent to a visa, but there
is no stamp or label in your passport and there is no
need for you to visit an Australian diplomatic office
to submit an application. If you are ETA eligible you
can submit applications directly through our website
www.eta.immi.gov.au
by clicking on the Apply for ETA button and, in most cases,
we will be able to approve your ETA in less than 30 seconds.
You can also check your ETA status, if you applied through
this site, by clicking on the Check your ETA button. Gulf
nationals are not eligible for ETA visas. Under a pilot
program United Arab Emirates and Kuwaiti nationals can
apply online for a visitor visa. Applications can be made
by visiting www.immi.gov.au |
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| Q.20. Who is eligible
for an ETA? |
| You are only eligible to apply for an
ETA while you are outside of Australia.
To apply through the website, you must also hold one of
the listed ETA-eligible passports. If you do not meet
these criteria, then you should contact your nearest Australian
visa office for further options. Travellers holding the
following passports may now apply for an ETA through this
site Travellers holding the following passports may now
apply for an ETA through this site: Andorra, Austria,
Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan,
Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States Of
America, Vatican City Holders of Hong Kong British National
(Overseas) (GBN) passports are not eligible to apply for
ETA through this site. |
