[UPDATE October 13, 2015] Here’s a guide on how you can easily, quickly, and cheaply apply for an Australian tourist visa online
[Update: September 15, 2014] Philippine passport holders can now apply for an Australian tourist visa online through the IMMI website. Application fee must be paid via credit card. You can still apply in person through VFS.
[UPDATE May 19, 2013: I have an updated Australian tourist visa application guide.
I am not a visa officer, nor am I migration agent. I am in no way affiliated with the Australian Embassy Manila nor with the Australian government. This post comes from my experience with preparing and submitting visa applications for family members and for myself. Also note that this entry pertains to my experience in applying for an Australian tourist visa in October 2006. The Australian immigration update their forms every 3 months. I will try to answer your questions the best way that I can, but bear in mind that a lot has changed since 2006. If you ask a question I’ve already answered in the post, I will ignore you.
One of the questions people ask me when I tell them I’ve been to Australia is if it’s easy to get a tourist visa. Almost everybody in Manila have heard of stories of how hard it is to obtain a US tourist visa: compiling documents like birth certificate, bank statements, even land titles O_O, paying a high application fee, waiting in line for hours for an interview. Is it as hard to get a tourist visa for Australia as it is for the US?
Actually, it’s not whether it’s harder on not, but it really boils down to how complete your documents are. I believe all embassies would be very meticulous about all the applications they receive, and it is really important to send them all the required documents.
Be it the Australian embassy, the US embassy or the Chinese embassy, they all want to know the same thing: that you are who you say you are, that you have the means to fund your trip in their country, and that you will be returning to your home country.
Proof of identity
This of course, is your passport and your birth certificate.
Proof of sufficient funds
Bank statements, credit card documents stating your credit limit, payslip
Proof that you’re not going to be an illegal immigrant
Certificate of employment if you’re already working or certificate of enrollment if you’re still studying
If you’re thinking of visiting Australia anytime soon, head on to the Australian Immigration website to learn more about the Australian tourist visa, as well as download the necessary forms. Here are some helpful links to get you started:
Tourist Visa (Subclass 676)
Tourist Visa Charges
Visa application checklist (PDF file)
Application form 48R (PDF file)
[UPDATE April 5, 2013] Please note that as of March 23, 2013, the visa subclass for Australian tourist visa is subclass 600 and the application form is now form 1419.
Coming up next: How I went about applying for my Australian tourist visa
Comments
7,072 responses to “How to apply for an Australian visa”
Good day!! Pls advice to what to do. just email me annie_labay@yahoo.com
hello.
i would like to ask you something pls . can you tell me what the best way for my girlfriend ( age 45 ) from the philippines to come to australia for a holiday . as i have been told many many diffrent ways and im abit confused now i am just trying to understand and trying to see what the best way is and i see you have some know and in your travels …
thank you for your time and kind’ness ! look forward to hearing from you one day .
brian
Hi Brian,
I’m not really sure what else she can do to get a visa, other than a tourist visa. Best to ask a visa expert.
Try to contact Australian and New Zealand Visa Assistance Center. Look for Ms. Mona Malabanan. They are visa expert. They will really assist you from legal documentation, interviews up to ticketing going to Australia.
Address: Suite 38B “The Old Gym” 3rd Floor Midland Plaza
Adritico St. Malate Manila Philippines
Tel : 632-521-9484
Email: visapacific@pacific.net.ph
woah! i called this number and was able to talk to Ms. Shiella. hmmm, i wasn’t satisfied with the answers. and they are not yet registered to work on NZ Visas. 🙁 and to top it off, when i ask how much is their service fee, she told me it’s AU$500. and this does not include the AU$100 Visa fee.. I went, “huwhhat?”… I really made it clear if it was AU$500 or 500php.. she said it was AU$500. hahaha! oh well, i ended the call telling her i wont be lodging my Visa through them.. tsk tsk..
hi!…i had read your blog and all the comments and found it very helpful… Regarding applying for tourist visa under “676”..i just have some questions and hopefully you can give me advice…
I am married,a mother for a 4yr.old baby boy and am applying for a tourist visa in OZ… My friend which is a permanent resident there sent me an invitation.. He will sponsor me at all costs while am there… I don’t have a job for now coz just got home here in Philippines for how many months from now… I still dont have proof of properties or any bank statement… What am gonna do with this matter?.. Do i still have to show enough funds?… What proof should i show to the australian embassy as a proof of returning back in our own home country,if i dont have all of this stuffs?… Thank’s and would be glad to hear from you soon… God bless!
One way of showing that you have every intention of coming back to the Philippines is to show that you have stamps in your passport, showing that you return to the country every time you travel overseas.
wat is the strongest proof to show to get a tourist visa?? bank account not enough,work not enough,then wat else more?
I’ve been told that having stamps in your passport from previous travels help in showing proof that you come back to the Philippines when you travel to other countries.
hi nina
what if ur beginner and ur passport dont have stamp yet. and u only have passport and birthcertificate and dont proof of sufficient funds and in the proof of not going to be illegal immi is that i have 2 kids 6 and 2.
thanks
iris
If I want to go and visit my bf for a holiday, what visa should I apply for?
You apply for a tourist visa.
hello…
I have bf in Australia and he want me to visit him i just want to know how to get tourist visa .. its hard cos its my firstime i hope u can help me… thnx..
hi… glad to be here again… i applied for a subclass 676 last year and it was refused because i fail to convince the officer that i have the reasons to be back in the country after my visa expires… in regards i would like to ask the following: how much should my bank deposit be? and how much should be my salary?
If you were told that you don’t have enough reason to return to the Philippines, work on establishing the fact that you have strong reasons to come back. There’s no set amount of money to have in your bank account to guarantee approval of your visa application.
Good day,
Im kd, from the Philippines. I wanted to know if what other option i can do to visit my bf in Australia. I have a bf in Syney Australia and he wants me to come there. But the problem is Philippines passport holder is not eligible to have the Working Holiday Visa, nor the 3 or 6 months Visa. Dont know what visa i should get.
Hope you could help me. Thanks..
Hoping for you response..
Hello ma’am good day!
would like to ask if tourist visa 676 could be done thru net when an applicant is coming from Philippines?
Good day Maam! I just want to ask if what do i need to apply for Autralian visa as tourist again , I went there last year and my bf want me to come back there again this JuNE so I just want to know if I still need to pass same requirements as before ?. hope to here from you soon..
Best to check the latest forms from Australia’s Department of Immigration website. There shouldn’t be that much difference though.
Hi Nina.. 🙂 first of all, THANK YOU FOR YOUR BLOG! it’s very helpful. 🙂 i have a few questions.. 🙂
–for the NSO birth & marriage certificate, should it be ORIGINAL copies? or a photocopy will do? (this is for the visa application)
–do i really need to get a Health/Travel Insurance?
–I’m planning to go to Australia then to NZ then back to Australia. (my port of entry & exit is Australia)… The AU Visa can be used in multiple entries? 😀
tHank you! 😀
and oh.. one more thing, for the itinerary, should I include the hotels where i will be staying? 🙂 even though, i haven’t booked them yet? 😀
Hi Christine,
Here are my answer to your questions:
> for the NSO birth & marriage certificate, should it be ORIGINAL copies? or a photocopy will do? (this is for the visa application)
You would need to submit both original and photocopy of ALL your documents. They will keep the photocopy, while the originals will be returned to you.
> do i really need to get a Health/Travel Insurance?
You don’t need to get a travel insurance for the visa application, but if you are going to travel to Australia, it’s advisable to get one because the cost of hospitalization in Australia is not cheap.
> I’m planning to go to Australia then to NZ then back to Australia. (my port of entry & exit is Australia)… The AU Visa can be used in multiple entries? 😀
It depends on what kind of visa they are granting you. I’m not familiar with the latest form, but check if they have an option for selecting whether you are applying for a single or multiple entry visa. If not, be sure to indicate in your cover letter that you would like to get a multiple entry visa.
> for the itinerary, should I include the hotels where i will be staying?
I’m not sure if you’re required to submit an itinerary, but if you are, you can list down the hotels you are planning on staying in, even without reservations, unless it is specified in the visa application form.
MISS NINA!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Thank you for the reply and it’s prompt too! yay!!! 🙂
and more thing, i’ll be traveling with my parents (63 & 59 years old). do they need any medical certificate or something? or this is only true for those 75 and up?
and do you have a link for the application for NZ Visa?
sorry for the many queries, it’s my first time to apply for AUS & NZ… :>
again, THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Tine
Best to read on the visa information form if they would need to get a medical exam for a standard 3-month. My then 70 year old mother had to get one when she applied for a 6-month tourist visa. Same with my then 17 year old niece who applied for the same visa.
I’m sorry, but I haven’t applied for a New Zealand tourist visa yet. Do try to search for it on Google, I’m pretty sure it’d appear in the search results.
THANK YOU AGAIN Miss Nina! 😀
Hi nina: i’m a philippine passport holder can i apply for an australian working holiday visa and what are the conditions?
Nope, we’re not among the nationalities allowed to apply for a working holiday visa.
Good Day Miss Nina,
I want to say thank you for the email you send me last yr.At last I have been to Australia last dec 2010 and got an approve visa for 1 entry (tourist visa)I want to share from your readers specially Mr brian what they need as a requirements for her GF..
Ist he should send a scanned copy of her financial statement(bank statement/payslip)to his GF.
2nd is the statutory declaration fm there police station..its a letter stating that he is inviting his GF and he will be the one responsible for all her expenses.
3rd attachment of his xerox copy stamp (passport) he’s been here visitng her and some pics too.
4th Prayers
and with all this reqmts his Gf will attached also her documents.
i cannot tell what sort of document she needs if she is not working.
Note: For my ist netry i just stay there for 12 days .
I hope it will be a big help for your readers.
God Bless…
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Miss Nina, i want to visit my bf in australia, can you email me what are the things that i should do. please help me. Florence
Please read this entry: Australian tourist visa guide for Filipinos
hi..thank you for sharing those important info..very helpful
i just want to ask something..
im 24yrs old, and i never had any work experience, i have my
aunt in australia and she is inviting me to visit there.
but my problem is that, i dont have any properties or any documents
as a proof for me to return in the country..
i haven’t started yet my application..
One of the things that can help are stamps in your passport from previous travels that prove you come back to the Philippines after trips abroad.
even if you’ve only traveled once? Like for me in this instance I’ve stayed in singapore for 1 month and 5 days would that help? Or do you mean, many stamps?
I also don’t have work at the moment but my bf is inviting me in aus.
They say it helps if you have traveled.
Hi Nina,
I have been reading questions and answers as well here and it’s really abig help for us wanting to go for a tour in Oz.
I’d like to ask for your opinion about the probability of getting approved considering the things below:
1. i have a US working visa and I am yet to go to US within this year.
2. i will be having stamps on my passports as I will be going to Malaysia and HK in April of this year. I have also a stamp already on my old passport when I went to HK and China last 2007.
3. i am currently working here in Ayala as a nurse agent.
Do you think these would suffice? Because my main concern is, my bf who is not yet working full time as he is still studying, would like his family for me to visit them in Australia. They cannot apply for that visit visa thing as I am not a relative, true? But can they rather give me supporting documents thru that invitation letter stating that they will be responsible for all the expenses when i get there? Please I need opinions on this matter as they want me to get there as much as possible in June. I hope to hear from you.
Thanks in advance and more power!
hi..!your site is very helpful..hope you can spare time for me..i just want to ask about tourist visa forms..how many different forms to fill up for tourist visa..?and you said stamp in the passport is a very good proof that will comeback to our country..but the problem is its my first time to plan going to australia..i dont have stamp..can i get it?even if its my first time.?to show them that i will really come back..?amm..also i still have job here..i just plan to go there to visit friend or for vacation..but i think my problem is i don’t have enough funds to show..hope you will like to answer some of my questions ..thank you so much.God bless!
How long is the processing time?
Between 3-30 days.
hi –
would you know how early can i apply for tourist visa?
I have been travelling in and out of europe and other asian countries for the last 3 years
but this time around i wanted to visit my relatives in australia. im a filipino and currently working in singapore & a Permanent Resident here and sometimes the promo fares are just too irresistible. im planning to go in august but is it advisable to apply for the visa now?
my reason is because i wanted to avail of the promo fares.
thanks so much
Hi, a reader has shared that you can apply for a visa as early as 3 months before your target departure date.
Hi miss nina,
My GF is a japanese volunteer who is assign in tonga, she will not be able to visit me here is philippines for two years. So we decided that i will visit her, and we will meet in australia. The problem is we still dont know when she can go to australia, because of her work. I want to apply for a tourist visa a soon as i can, so if ever she get the time off from work, we can immediately meet in australia. I dont know what should i put in the inteded date of visit and purpose, because the person i will meet is not in australia too. By the way she is a holder of a diplomat passport so it will not be a problem for her to get a australian visa. I hope you can enlighten with this.
Thanks in advance!
Saruneko
hi! ill just ask what should i tell the consul that would prove that i would come back here in the phil? itz my first time and actually i’ll be graduating in april so, my sister will treat me there. can i say that to the officer, will that work? thanks!
In your application, state that you will be visiting Australia because it is a graduation gift. If your sister lives in Australia, have her send you an invitation letter. You need to include this letter with your application.
thank you nina 🙂
hi nina.this blog is very helpful..
i just want to ask..i will come home from japan this year.and im planning to aplpy for a tourist visa..but if one of the requirements is a certificate employment i can give them that but a proof that i am currently employed is impossible…i just want t go there as a tourist,just to see places …is it possible to get a visa? please help me…thank you very much
Proof that you are currently employed is your certificate of employment.
Hi everybody,
I just want to share my experience when I first travelled to Australia. First thing is, you must have all the necessary documents to justify that you are going to Australia as a tourist and will be back in your home counrty on or before the expiry of your visa. What are these documents?
1. In my case, I have an Australian boyfriend for over 2 years who visits me 3 to 4 times in a year. What he did was, he sent me a statutory declaration with a sworn statement stating that he has known me for years and he will provide for my accomodation(that includes all financial responsibilities). The stat dec likewise was signed by his friend who is a barrister at law.
2. Second, his financial capabilities. He sent his bank account with his savings and other properties( he’s self employed).
3. For my part, I submitted my employment certificate with details of my upcoming trip, salary and stating the duration of my holiday in AUstralia. It is very important that this must be signed by your boss. Don’t forget that you should be using the company memo form with the logo of the company affixed on it.
4. I also included my passbook, my credit card and my pay slips.
5. You must also give proofs that you have an ongoing genuine relationship. You and your partner must a write a narration of your relationship, attach photos of both of you,with some friends, and families. Please attach only decent ones.
6. If you have phone records then also attach it to prove that you have been burning the lines, been on skype or to prove that though you are apart, you have constant communication.
7. My partner and I have purchased return tickets ahead of time,so we had attached in our documents.
Australia is very stringent in giving visas. I suggest that all you have submitted must be 100% true if proved otherwise, you will not be allowed to travel in Australia for 3 to 5 years. They will only give you the Visa Grant Notice. There will be no stamp on your passport but otherwise you should present the Visa Grant Notice upon check in. For Filipinos/Thai first time travellers it is usuallly 3 months with no further stay. This is due to some who doesn’t follow the visa expiry and overstayed.
I hope that you will be successful in getting a visa. What it takes is just a complete document with honest to goodness accounts of every requirement.
See yah later in The Land Down Under!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Nadine!
Hi Ms. Nadine, just wanna know if :
1. the embassy asks for the ORIGINAL COPY of the stat dec. and financial proofs from your boyfriend.
2. if the relatioship is young (like for less than a year) is it more likely to put in stat dec that you are friends.
3. about the narration of the relationship should it be notarized (signed with the presence of a lawyer.?
4. though you applied for a 45 day visit are you allowed to stay there for 3 months or they stamp on your passport the length of stay?
Thanks hope to hear from you very soon:)
hi Ms.Nina,
Please help me with my queries:)if you have any contact with Ms. Nadine and she permits may I have her e-mail ad? or you may give mine..
Your quick response will be highly appreciated. Godbless!:)
Sorry, I can’t give out Nadine’s e-mail address.
To answer your questions:
1) You must submit one set of original documents and one set of photocopies. They will look over the original, but they will return the originals to you after they have processed your application and keep the photocopies.
2) I’m not sure about this one, but general rule for visa applications is that you must be honest about all your answers.
3) Again, not sure if it should be notarized, but it would help, I guess.
4) The standard tourist visa that the Australian Embassy issue (as far as I know) is 3 months.
Hi Ms. Nadine,
I’ve got my visa today:), your site helped me a lot. More power and Godbless! Thank you so much!:)
Ms. NINA,
Thank you so much, this site really helped me a lot. I’ve got my visa today:)without this it won’t be that easy. THANKS. MORE POWER AND GOD BLESS:)
That’s great to hear! Enjoy your trip to Australia!
I envy sarah and nadine. I hope I can get my visa aswell.
I have a question for nadine and nina.
Im apply for a tourist visa, is this partner visa statutory declaration the correct form http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/888.pdf
Hi Nina,
I had a mother in law whose married to an australian, and wanted me to come a visit in australia. What would be the best move to do, apply directly to the Australian Embassy or thru an agent. I’ve tried calling Mona Malabanan and asking me to pay AUS 500 for there PF, which is very expensive for me.
If you want to save money, it’s best to apply directly. The process is very easy anyway, so it’s really no hassle. You just need to make sure that all your supporting documents are complete. All the best to you.
Hi! Question: i am being invited by my best friend to go to aussie. His dad is the current Armed Forces Defense Attache in Canberra, Australia. The invitation is already with.. Can you give me advice? You think i would have a bigger chance to get approved bcause of that invitation letter? What are the requirement i need to bring?
hi nina,
youve been an angel…
this is truly helpful…wanna know if u still have a chance of getting approved for an aus tourist visa even if u dont have cert of employment or properties under your name?
thanks..please respond
Jackie, the most important thing in any visa application is that you are able to show adequate proof that you have strong ties in the Philippines. You have to be able to show them that you have every reason to come back to the Philippines after your trip to Australia.
thanks ms.nina..
is there any other proof I can submit other than those that are listed in the checklist? thanks so much
Those are the only ones that I know of.
thanks again..
what does an audited account means? is a statement or a form from the bank prooving u have an account?
what about taxation records? do I need to submit ITR?
ive read this in the checkllist.
thanks ms.nina
Yes, you need to submit your ITR, bank certificate, credit card statements.
do i need to show my previous income tax even if i currently have no work at the moment?
Yup, if you have an ITR, you can submit the most recent.
one more thing can i get help from u in filling out the form just so im guided and able to provide the appropriate info on some sections? please….please reply to my email,,thank u..really needed help
Sorry, I’m busy enough as it is. Also, I think it would be best if you get help from those qualified to help you, not some random person you found on the Internet.
hello Nina, thanks to ur blog, im able to get some pointers on how to comply with my requirements for a tourist visa. i just wanna ask u and ur readers. im planning to visit my bf in australia on june for 2 months. He will be responsible for my accommodation and living expenses when i’m there. he will also pay for my fare. my question is do he need to put/specify in his invitation letter that he will pay for the fare? Though, i can provide a bank statement (not a lot but enough for a round trip tix), and also i’m employed. and do he need to provide a “statutory declaration”? I’ve read that stat dec is needed when you’re applying for partner/fiance visa. Is Invitation letter not enough? i know that u have to prove that u have a genuine relationship, i can provide pix and evidence that we communicate everyday (as what i’ve read from the comments they enclosed this to their application). Do we really need to write a narration about our relationship? Pls. hope u respond to my query. I need to lodge my application by May. Thanks Much. More power. 🙂
If you’re just applying for a tourist visa, the invitation should be enough. But since he’ll be sponsoring your trip, supporting documents like the statutory declaration would help strengthen your application.
hi good day!!
Hello Miss Nina. Got my Australia Visa. Thanks to this blog. Thanks to you. More power. 🙂
That’s great to hear! Congratulations!
Hi may,
Im curious whether you included your chat logs etc? may i know what you’ve submitted? if you think its private may be you can email it to me at margarita.alaon@gmail.com
i have the same case as you except that I dont have work atm cause I wwent for a holiday :<
hi nina…
gud am po.. i just want to know for those who knows about the requirements for tourist visa (12 months kc kukunin q)na nakapunta n s Oz.. please,please kindly share naman po about the details.. at magknu ang embassy payment (money check?)..
thanks in advance & more power.. 🙂
mhel
nina im a hopeless 17yr old boy….
i really want to go on australia someday sooner..
iloveherso much and wanna see her badly…
help me TT
can you please talk to me
dualthreatz@hotmail.ph
hi ms.nina
i saw your blog and i hope you can help me in my application going to Australia,my auntie live in Australia and she invites me to go there,and im planing this coming July she will send an invitation letter, i’m just worried if this invitation letter could get me an a visa…i don’t have any proof of fund but i have many many stamps in my passport is this possible i could get a tourist visa?
thank you very much!!
hello ms,nina,
i hope you can help me, im married to a filipino,with 2 kids,we been seperated for almost 2years now,i meet an australian guy last december and we fall inlove,he went here every 3months,and this time he want me to visit him on his country,is it possible for me to go there eventhough im still married and not yet annuled? If i can viist him what is the other documents needed for the applicaction? i dont have work here he just support me financially and he said he will shoulder the expenses accomodation and everything. he want me to stay there for 2weeks or 1month.
i hope you can help me reagarding on this matter.thank you for your kindness.
godbless.
good day Nina!
my brother died in australia last week then his wife invited me to go thier to attend the burial, im already 67 years old, i had a multiple entry in US, they send me a supporting documents, may i know wat else the requirements? how many days the processing
That’s sad to hear. Condolence to your family. The requirements are listed in this entry. Also check the links provided.
Good day.. Ms Nina..
i already have all the documents needed for a tourist visa…
but my main problem is where to pass it, what i mean is what agency is legitimate to do so, can u advise me of a agency where i can submit my application?
i badly need it now bec im afraid bec my auntie had been fooled before when they process their visa…
im planning to go in Aussie on july so i need to process it as soon as possible..
thanks Ms Nina
pls respond
thanks
You can submit it directly to the Australian Embassy. Please read the entry again for details.
A blessed day! This is the first time I’ll be applying for a Visitor’s VISA going to Australia. The setup is I’ll be accompanying my 80-year old mother, an Australian Citizen, currently staying here in the Philippines for vacation, as she goes back to Australia in 5mos time, as well as to have a vacation to Australia for pleasure.
My questions are simple, “What are the requirements I/we need to submit or prepare?”, and “What will be the process, as long as the usual processing period or duration to gain this type of visa?”.
Your soonest response shall be highly appreciated. More power and GOD bless.
Hi if i am a filipino working in sg with a working pass and wants to apply for australian visa to visit friends there is iy ossible to apply for a tourist visa from sg? And what are the requirements needed? Pls help
Yes, you can apply at the Australian embassy in Singapore. Please read the entry in its entirety and view the entries and pages linked within the entry for the requirements.
Ms Nina,
thanks po sa reply…i try ko po mag apply.october pa na man yung plan ko mg vacation kasi sem break…tnx talaga…:-*
hello dear how are you.my name is faisal ishaq. iam pakistani this time in malaysia working.iam christan 23 year old please dear help me my life drem i go Austriala i hope my God father. and ur country call me enter in Austriala jest 2 month entry please my dream see country and people
hello dear how are you.my name is faisal ishaq. iam pakistani this time in malaysia working.iam christan 23 year old please dear help me my life drem i go Austriala i hope my God father. and ur country call me enter in Austriala jest 2 month entry please my dream see country and people ok bye i wate your ans God bless your country i like ur country bye
hello, Im mayette 47 years old Filipina, currently Im here in Syney as a tourist {tourist visa 8503) I will leave in 4 weeks time, I want to come back here to work, what sort of visa can I apply?
Hello Nina,
I’m so sorry to bug you again. Were kind of stuck for the narration of your relationship. We have done two kinds one which in were honest, where in we mentioned about the possible question of the visa officer, “why not fiancee visa?” but then a friend told me telling them that may cause us denial cause were giving the impression that we do wanna get married after sometime. It might appear to the visa officer that I’m not going to return to ph.
The other narration which was revised by a friend doesn’t indicate anything about fiancee visa but yet I’m worried I might get denied because I’m leaving the question behind. There’s a bigger chance that this question will be asked by the officer and if i don’t include it then it might cause
Hello Nina,
Sorry to bother you again. Can you help me with my problem? Were kind of stuck right now in the narration of relationship for my tourist visa. We made two kinds. One were in were honest and one that were not.
In the honest part. We’ve mentioned there about fiancee visa. A question that a visa officer ‘might’ think. Like, “why not just take fiancee visa” and then we’ve answered it in a way that because we want to spend more time and this will help us determine whether to really do get a fiancee visa. Though my friend is against this because It will give the visa officer an idea that I have plans of marrying my bf and this might cause my application to be denied.
The other one which felt like less detailed because my friend took off the part where in i seem to not want to come back here because of the struggles that me and my bf had. She also took off the question about fiancee visa. This part is playing really safe but then it really worry us that the visa officer might ask about “why not take fiancee visa?” and because we didn’t have it written anywhere he/she might not be convinced that I’m coming back. I could look at it also in a way where in he might not ask about it and so im safe with just having the return ticket.
I hope you will answer our question 🙁 or at least tell me what you think? I don’t mind sending you the one we made and just check no need to edit or what but if your busy and all I could understand it.
I hope to hear your advice nina
cheers
marga
Marga, it’s best to be honest. You might get into more trouble if you omit things.
hi nina
gud day to you.i wud like to ask you some questions.ive been refused two times by the australian embassy to get a tourist visa.that was last 2007 and 2008.and now im planning to apply again for tourist visa.my aunt in australia will be the one to provide while im there.but as of now i dont have work and dont have credit card but have my bank account.im planning to have a trip to hongkong or singapore for a week to have my passport stamp.will that help to get a tourist visa?or can u suggest were to go to get an easy tourist visa.im praying that this time i can get a tourist visa so that my aunt will not be dissapointed again.
thank you and GODBLESS.
That might help.
hello!
i just want to share my experience in applying for a tourist visa (subclass 676).
this blog helped me a lot in preparing necessary documents.My bf is an australian.He wants me to visit him and go places in australia with him.i worked in Japan for three years and having stamped on my passport is a big help.i just came back in the philippines 2months ago.
These are the things i prepared:(i submitted both original and photocopy)
1.Certified Birth Certificate
2.Bank Account Certificate
3.Passport
4.EMployment Certificate
5.Invitation Letter from my bf
6.Pictures when we meet in Japan
7.Scanned Copy of his Payslips
8.Application Fee(Manager`s cheque )
I called the courier pick-up hotline.Passport picked up June 3 and good news is after 3 weeks!!!!!!! my visa is approved!!!!!!!!!
im so happy!!!…im leaving next month..i hope this will help those who want to apply for the same visa.goodluck to us…dont forget to pray a lot!!!
Thank you nina!
Thanks for sharing your story and congratulations! 😀
Hi Nina and to all the readers:
First and foremost I would like to say that this website is very helpful and has all the information in applying for Australian US Visa. I would just like to clarify some items if I am indeed a best fit or candidate to get that Visa since AUD 105 is a no joke might as well be prepared and ready in presenting documents before applying for the visa. I am a big fan of traveling. I love to travel to learn and experience new cultures and this time I would like to try going to the land down under for just 2 weeks. Please see brief background of myself and I hope to get a feedback if I am suitable to get a tourist visa.
1. I am a regular employee of one of the biggest call centers here in Makati for nearly 8 years.
2. I hold a key position in our company being an Operations Manager
3. My gross monthly income is roughly around Php 60-75K depending on my monthly incentive
4. I only have one credit card but the credit limit is only Php 20,000 or AUD 434
5. I have traveled in Vietnam, Hongkong, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand
6. I don’t have relatives, friends or even an Australian Boyfriend (Mostly people who were asking for questions here have Australian BFs)
7. I am planning to get a cheap hotel and tour once I got an approval
8. I have all other documents such as valid passport, NSO birth certificate etc
9. I am willing to get a medical/travel insurance (if this is necessary for my application)
My questions are as follows:
1. Am I a good candidate in getting a tourist visa?
2. Do I need to have a friend/relative or boyfriend to have an invitation letter?
3. Do I need to book for a flight? a tour? and hotel to be included in the documents that I should present? Or is it okay to present just my plan itinerary/hotel and tour that I will be getting in case my visa gets approved?
4. Do I need to get medical/travel insurance and have it included in my documents?
5. Where should I drop my application?
6. Is there an interview?
Please enlighten me.
Thanks,
Georgina Santillan
Hi Georgina,
Given the facts above, I think you won’t have a problem with your application. Just be sure that all the necessary supporting documents are complete when you submit your application. I don’t think you would need to make bookings already or buy travel insurance yet, but the itinerary should be enough. It’s not a requirement to have friends or relatives in Australia.
It’s been years since I applied for a visa and I hear the process has changed since. Check VIA.ph, as they’re the one handling the Australian tourist visa submission in the Philippines.
Unlike the US Embassy, there is no interview for an Australian tourist visa. That’s why it’s important that you fill out your visa application form with the correct information and have a complete set of supporting documents.
Good luck!
Hi Nina,
I forgot to include that I have my own active bank account specifically under my name and I have roughlt around Php 25K or AUD 5434.
Georgina Santillan
Hi Nina,
I forgot to include that I have my own active bank account specifically under my name and I have roughlt around Php 250K or AUD 5434.
Georgina Santillan
Hi zhel,
What are the requirements you submitted when they denied your Tourist Visa Application? and what’s the reason why you got the refusal?
I want to make sure I have researched and prepared everything before submitting my application. There are some agency that helps processing visa application but it way too expensive.
Thank you,
George Santillan
Hi Nina and to all the readers,
I have several questions on how to answer the general tourist for Australia or the 48R form:
1. I am only planning to travel to Sydney for 2 weeks only what should I checked for the question “ how long do you wish to stay in Australia? (Up to 3 months? Up to 6 months? Or Up to 12 months?) Again I am not there up to 3 months I have work here I can afford to be out of the country that long. What should the best answer?
2. What do the question “Do you intend to enter Australia on more than one occasion?” means? – If I understand this correctly it means If I will have another future plan in travelling there aside once I already got there?
3. What is Identity Card or Identity number issued by the government? Do we have this in the Philippines?
4. For all other questions which are not applicable to me can I safely write N/A or just leave it blank?
Other questions :
1. For courier is this something I can arrange in VIA?
2. How many picture should I include in my application and is this passport size one? Whats the color for the background?
3. Where can I can managers’check for the payment? Is this should be in AUD or in PHP?
4. I have bank certificate and statement dated June 16, 2011, I am planning to submit my application first week of July is this still valid? Or do I need to get a new one dated the same date of my visa application?
5. What is medical examination or test? Do I need to undergo this before my application?
6. I don’t have property, assets, business under my name can I still apply?
I am kinda o-c about this application coz I want to ensure I have everything ready and correctly prepared. Thanks in advance!
48R Form:
1) The tourist visa can either be valid for 3, 6 or 12 months, hence the question. For your trip, tick 3 months, since you don’t plan to stay beyond 3 months.
2) That is if you want to apply for a multiple entry visa. It might be that you plan to fly out to New Zealand while you’re there. If you don’t plan to do that or plan to travel back to Australia within the same year (tourist visas are only valid for 1 year), just write down no.
3) We don’t have that.
4) Write N/A; do not leave a question blank.
Other questions:
1) The courier is only arranged through VIA. They will give you instructions on how to prepare your documents for pick up.
2) What does it say in the form? I think I included 2 in my application. Safest background color is white. Again, check the info sheet if they have any specifications.
3) You can get the manager’s check from your bank. It has to be in PHP.
4) That would still be valid.
5) As far as I know, you won’t need a medical exam unless you are applying for a 6-month visa.
6) Yes, you can still apply even without any properties or business under your name. As long as you are employed and can prove that you can pay for your trip and have strong reasons to come back to the Philippines, you have no problem.
Hi, came across your blog, and I just need to comment on this thread. I have been to several countries in Europe and Australia, and yes, it’s true that preparing documents for your visa application is not easy. If you’re applying for a tourist visa, you don’t need to seek any advise from any travel agency, much less the ones who wring you off by outrageously charging you with advise fees….it is simply ridiculous. They DON’T guarantee that your visa will be approved. If you have good intentions, your documents are complete, you have enough funds that will sustain you during your trip, you have a stable job here, and that they are convinced of your guaranteed return to the Philippines, then no worries. Don’t spend a fortune on these travel sharks.
How much money do I need to have in my bank account if I will only be staying in Australia for 1 week?
Hi nina i have 250tho. in the bank and i have computer shop hir in the philippines but i dont have permanent work.. im only working hir in my computer shop… i have documents and bussiness permit. wat do you think? im applying tourist visa. i need to visit my mom and my sister i really miss them both..