Australia Transit Visa (subclass 771)

Australia Transit Visa (subclass 771) is a temporary visa that allows individuals to stay in Australia for up to 72 hours before they depart the country. This visa is primarily designed for people who need to transit through Australia to another destination. The visa can be used for either single or multiple entries during its validity period, depending on the applicant's travel needs.

Maritime Crew visa holders are eligible to use the Transit Visa to enter Australia by air to join a non-military vessel. However, it's worth noting that the Transit Visa is only valid for 5 days from the date of arrival in Australia. Therefore, individuals who hold a Maritime Crew visa must sign onto their ship within 5 days of arriving in Australia by air using their Transit Visa. Failure to do so will result in the termination of their Maritime Crew Visa.

To be eligible for the Transit Visa, applicants must meet several requirements, including health and character requirements. Applicants must also be genuine visitors to Australia and must have a valid reason for transiting through the country. Individuals who are eligible for transit without a visa must still meet the same health and character requirements as visa holders.

It's important to note that individuals who need to enter Australia by air to join a ship should apply for a new Transit Visa each time they enter the country. Additionally, before applying for a Transit Visa, it's essential to check the transit facilities at Australian airports and ensure that you have made the necessary travel arrangements.

In summary, the Australia Transit Visa (subclass 771) is a temporary visa that allows individuals to transit through Australia for up to 72 hours before they leave the country. This visa is primarily intended for individuals who need to join a non-military vessel using a Maritime Crew visa. To be eligible for the visa, applicants must meet several requirements, including health and character requirements, and must be genuine visitors to Australia. It's important to apply for a new Transit Visa each time you enter Australia by air and check transit facilities and travel arrangements before applying for the visa.

What is an Australia Transit Visa (subclass 771)?

An Australia Transit Visa (subclass 771) is a temporary visa that allows individuals to transit through Australia for up to 72 hours before they leave the country. It is primarily intended for people who are passing through Australia to another destination and need to stay in the country for a short period before continuing their journey.

The Transit Visa can also be used by Maritime Crew visa holders to enter Australia by air and join a non-military vessel. However, it's important to note that individuals who hold a Maritime Crew visa must sign onto their ship within 5 days of arriving in Australia by air using their Transit Visa.

To be eligible for the Transit Visa, applicants must meet several requirements, including health and character requirements. They must also have a valid reason for transiting through Australia and be a genuine visitor. The Transit Visa can be used for either single or multiple entries during its validity period, depending on the applicant's travel needs.

It's important to note that individuals who need to enter Australia by air to join a ship should apply for a new Transit Visa each time they enter the country. Before applying for the Transit Visa, it's essential to check the transit facilities at Australian airports and ensure that all necessary travel arrangements have been made.

The Australia Transit Visa (subclass 771) is a temporary visa that allows individuals to transit through Australia for up to 72 hours before they leave the country. It is designed for people who are passing through Australia to another destination and need to stay in the country for a short period before continuing their journey.

Eligibility requirements for an Australia Transit Visa

To be eligible for an Australia Transit Visa (subclass 771), you must meet the following requirements:

Genuine Transit: You must be a genuine transit passenger. This means that you must be in transit to another country and have a confirmed onward ticket within 72 hours of your arrival in Australia.

Country of Citizenship: You must be a citizen of an eligible country. The list of eligible countries can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Visa Requirements: You must hold a valid visa for the country that you are travelling to, if required.

Health and Character Requirements: You must meet the health and character requirements specified by the Australian government, which may include providing a medical examination and a police clearance certificate.

No Criminal Record: You must not have any criminal convictions for which you have been sentenced to a total combined period of 12 months or more, whether or not the sentence has been served.

No Previous Visa Cancellation: You must not have had a visa cancelled or refused by the Australian government, or any other country, in the past.

No Work or Study: You must not intend to work or study in Australia while on your transit visa.

It is important to note that meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee that your visa application will be approved. The Australian government may refuse a visa application if it determines that the applicant does not meet the criteria or if it has concerns about the applicant's intentions or circumstances.

Citizens eligible for transit without a visa (TWOV):

  • Andorra
  • Argentina
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Indonesia
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Kiribati
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mexico
  • Monaco
  • Nauru
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Palau
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • Samoa
  • San Marino
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Thailand
  • Tonga
  • Tuvalu
  • UAE
  • Vatican
  • USA
  • Uruguay
  • Vanuatu
  • United Kingdom (including its colonies)

The following individuals are exempted from obtaining a visa to visit Hong Kong:

  • Residents of Hong Kong holding an HKSAR passport or a BNO passport issued by the British government.
  • Residents of Taiwan holding a passport issued by the Taiwanese authorities, excluding official or diplomatic passports.
  • Holders of an Indian official passport or a diplomatic passport, with the exception of Arab non-national passport holders and diplomatic passport holders from specific countries, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Comoros, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Mauritania, Morocco, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, and Zimbabwe. These passport holders must obtain a visa to visit Hong Kong.

Please note that the above information is not applicable to stateless persons or refugees.

Required Documents for Australia Transit visa (subclass 771)

In order to obtain a visa to travel to Australia, the following requirements must be met:

Passport:

  • Valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date of stay in Australia
  • Signed by the bearer
  • Issued within the last 10 years
  • Contains at least one or three free visa pages
  • Undamaged, with securely affixed photographs

Photo:

  • In JPG or PNG format
  • Minimum size of 10 KB and maximum size of 1 MB
  • Height and width must be equal
  • Full face, front view, with eyes open and without glasses
  • Head centered within frame, showing full head from top of hair to bottom of chin
  • Plain light-colored or white background, without shadows or borders
  • Clear facial features and eyes, not covered by hair or glasses frame
  • Size of 45mm x 35mm

ID Card Copy

Residence Permit/Visa Copy (if country of residence differs from citizenship)

Health Insurance

Copy of Visa for final destination (if applicable)

Your Documents:

  • Proof of employment on the ship you are joining in Australia
  • Proof of travel arrangements to another country
  • Proof that the ship you are joining is not a military vessel
  • Travel document, such as a seafarer's identity document

Shipping Agent Documents:

  • Statement by local shipping/handling agent of the vessel, including your name, the name of the person you are replacing, the name of the company that employs you, the name of the ship you are joining, the date of your arrival in Australia, and the port and date you expect to join the ship
  • If the person writing the statement is not the owner of the ship, a copy of the crew request from the ship's agent in Australia, including details of all crew members applying for visas

Travel Plan

Where to Apply for Australia Transit visa (subclass 771) Application?

If you are looking to travel through Australia and stay for up to 72 hours before leaving the country, you may need to apply for a Transit visa (subclass 771). This visa can be applied for online or through an embassy or consulate that accepts visa applications in your country. It is important to check if you are eligible for transit without a visa before applying.

To apply for a Transit visa (subclass 771) online, you can visit the official governmental website. The application process involves providing personal information and details about your travel plans, as well as uploading supporting documents such as a valid passport, health insurance, and documents related to your employment on the ship you are joining.

It is important to ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the date of your stay in Australia, and that it has not been issued more than 10 years ago. Your passport should also have at least one or three free “visa pages” and undamaged pictures securely affixed to it. Additionally, you will need to provide a clear and correctly formatted photo, as well as copies of your ID card, residence permit/visa, and any visas for your final destination if applicable.

How to apply for an Australia Transit Visa

To apply for an Australia Transit Visa (subclass 771), follow these steps:

  • Check if you are eligible for transit without a visa. If not, proceed to the next step.
  • Gather the required documents, including a valid passport, health insurance, and documents related to your employment on the ship you are joining.
  • Go to the official Australian government website to apply for the visa online. Alternatively, you can apply through an embassy or consulate that accepts visa applications in your country.
  • Fill out the online application form, providing personal information and details about your travel plans.
  • Upload the required documents, including a clear and correctly formatted photo, copies of your ID card, residence permit/visa, and any visas for your final destination if applicable.
  • Pay the application fee. The fee may vary depending on your country of residence and other factors.
  • Submit your application and wait for a decision. The processing time can vary, but it is typically between a few days to a few weeks.

Once your application is approved, you will receive a Transit Visa (subclass 771) that will allow you to stay in Australia for up to 72 hours before leaving the country. Remember that if you are a Maritime Crew visa holder, you will need to sign on the ship within five days of arriving in Australia on your Transit Visa or risk having your Maritime Crew visa terminated.

Australia Transit Visa processing time and duration

The processing time for an Australia Transit Visa (subclass 771) varies depending on individual circumstances and may take up to several weeks to be approved. It is recommended to apply for the visa at least two weeks before your intended travel date to allow for processing time.

The duration of an Australia Transit Visa is generally up to 72 hours (3 days) from the time of arrival in Australia. If you need to stay longer, you will need to apply for a different type of visa.

It's important to note that the visa validity period is not the same as the duration of stay. The validity period refers to the period during which the visa can be used to enter Australia. The validity period of an Australia Transit Visa is generally three months from the date of issue.

It's important to carefully plan your transit and ensure that you have sufficient time to catch your onward flight. In case of unexpected delays, it may be a good idea to apply for a longer visa or plan for an alternative transit route.

Difference between Australia eVisitor (subclass 651) vs Australia Transit Visa (subclass 771)

The Australia eVisitor visa (subclass 651) and the Australia Transit Visa (subclass 771) are two different types of visas that serve different purposes. Here are some key differences between the two:

Purpose: The Australia eVisitor visa is designed for tourism and business purposes, while the Australia Transit Visa is intended for passengers who are in transit through Australia on their way to another country.

Duration: The Australia eVisitor visa allows stays of up to three months at a time and is valid for up to 12 months, while the Australia Transit Visa allows stays of up to 72 hours (3 days) and is generally valid for up to three months from the date of issue.

Eligibility: The eligibility requirements for the two visas are different. For the Australia eVisitor visa, you must be a citizen of an eligible country and meet other criteria, such as having sufficient funds and not intending to work in Australia. For the Australia Transit Visa, you must be a genuine transit passenger and have a confirmed onward ticket within 72 hours of your arrival in Australia.

Application Process: The application process for the two visas is different. The Australia eVisitor visa can be applied for online, while the Australia Transit Visa requires a paper application and may require additional documentation.

Fees: The fees for the two visas are different. The Australia eVisitor visa is free of charge, while the Australia Transit Visa has a fee associated with it.

It's important to carefully consider which visa type is most appropriate for your travel plans and to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements and provide all required documentation during the application process.

Traveling through Australia with a Transit Visa

If you are traveling through Australia on your way to another destination, you may need to obtain an Australia Transit Visa (subclass 771) before you arrive in Australia. Here are some important things to keep in mind when traveling through Australia with a Transit Visa:

Purpose: The Australia Transit Visa is designed for passengers who are in transit through Australia and have a confirmed onward ticket to another country within 72 hours of their arrival in Australia. It is not intended for tourists or business travelers.

Eligibility: To be eligible for an Australia Transit Visa, you must be a genuine transit passenger, have a confirmed onward ticket, and meet other eligibility requirements, such as not having a criminal record or a history of visa cancellations or refusals.

Application Process: The application process for an Australia Transit Visa is different from other types of visas. You will need to complete a paper application and provide additional documentation, such as a copy of your confirmed onward ticket and evidence of your transit status.

Duration: The Australia Transit Visa allows stays of up to 72 hours (3 days) from the time of arrival in Australia. If you need to stay longer, you will need to apply for a different type of visa.

Conditions: While in Australia, you must comply with the conditions of your Transit Visa, such as not working or studying in Australia and not engaging in any activities that are not related to transit.

Connecting Flights: When booking your flights, it is important to allow enough time for your connecting flights and ensure that you have sufficient time to clear customs and immigration in Australia.

By following these guidelines and ensuring that you have the appropriate documentation and comply with the conditions of your Transit Visa, you can have a smooth and stress-free transit through Australia.

Activities allowed on an Australia Transit Visa

An Australia Transit Visa (subclass 771) is intended for passengers who are in transit through Australia on their way to another destination, and therefore, the activities that are allowed on this type of visa are limited. Here are the activities that are generally allowed on an Australia Transit Visa:

Waiting for connecting flights: If you are in transit through Australia, you are allowed to wait for your connecting flight at the airport or at an airport hotel.

Visiting family or friends: You may be able to visit family or friends during your transit in Australia, but only if your transit time is longer than 8 hours and you have a valid reason for the visit.

Short-term tourism: If your transit time is longer than 8 hours, you may be able to take a short-term tour or sightseeing trip, but you must return to the airport in time for your connecting flight.

Shopping or dining: You are allowed to shop or dine at the airport or in the immediate vicinity of the airport, but you must ensure that you have sufficient time to return to the airport for your connecting flight.

It's important to note that the activities allowed on an Australia Transit Visa are limited to those that are related to transit, and you are not allowed to work or study in Australia, or engage in any other activities that are not related to transit. Additionally, it is important to comply with all the conditions of your Transit Visa to avoid any legal issues or complications.

Extending an Australia Transit Visa

Australia Transit visa (subclass 771) holders are not allowed to extend their stay beyond the initial 72 hours granted. If an individual wishes to stay longer in Australia, they will need to apply for a different type of visa that suits their travel purpose.

However, if an unforeseen event happens that requires an extension of stay in Australia, such as a medical emergency or a flight cancellation, the visa holder can contact the Department of Home Affairs for further assistance. In such cases, the Department may grant an extension of stay in Australia on a case-by-case basis.

It's important to note that overstaying the 72-hour limit on an Australia Transit visa (subclass 771) can lead to serious consequences, including detention, deportation, and being barred from entering Australia in the future. Therefore, it's crucial to make proper travel arrangements and apply for the appropriate visa type before entering Australia.

Frequently Asked questions

If you are a foreign national traveling through Australia on your way to another destination, and your transit time in Australia is more than 8 hours, you may need to obtain an Australia Transit Visa.

The Australia Transit Visa allows a stay of up to 72 hours (3 days) from the time of arrival in Australia.

If you have a valid reason, such as visiting family or friends or taking a short-term tour, you may leave the airport during your transit in Australia, but you must return to the airport in time for your connecting flight.

No, you are not allowed to work or study in Australia on a Transit Visa. The Transit Visa is only for passengers who are in transit through Australia.

You can apply for an Australia Transit Visa by completing a paper application and providing additional documentation, such as a copy of your confirmed onward ticket and evidence of your transit status.

If you miss your connecting flight during your transit in Australia, you may need to apply for a different type of visa to stay in Australia for a longer period or make alternative travel arrangements to your final destination.

You can apply for an Australia Transit Visa online.

 

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