Are you thinking of applying for an Australian visa? Here are 5 things to consider:

Check Your Eligibility

Australia offers a wide assortment of Visas for international travelers, depending on the duration and intent of the stay. Tourist Visas are generally the easiest to obtain, however even within this category are numerous visa subclass and streams.

Make sure you do some research prior to booking your flights and select the appropriate visa for your trip if you want things to go as smoothly as possible at the border!

Be Prepared to Wait

Visa processing times may take longer than you expect – especially for Working and Family visas. As the wait times can vary between applicants, make sure you apply for your visa well before your proposed travel date.

Seek Assistance

Not sure if you fit all the requirements for your desired visa? Seek assistance from a registered and licensed Immigration Lawyer to help you with your application.

Not only will this save you the headache of navigating obscure government websites, it can also save you money! Visa application charges are costly and you will not be refunded if your visa application is unsuccessful.

Sponsorship

Many Australian work visas are employer-sponsored, meaning that your employer has certain obligations that they must provide. If you are applying for such a visa, make sure your employer is up-to-date and fully understands these obligations, otherwise it can have a lasting impact on both of you! Consequences for breach of these obligations can be severe.

Character Requirement

Do you have any criminal convictions? Even if the conviction took place 20 years ago, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection may ask you for details and may refuse your visa if you fail the “character test”.