FAQs - Australian High Commission

Australian High Commission

Singapore

High Commission address: 25 Napier Rd, Singapore - Telephone: 6836 4100 - Fax: 6737 5481

Frequently Asked Questions

Please note these are general answers, given as a guide only. Each case is different and requires individual assessment based on immigration legislation applicable at the time of application.

Do I need a visa?

All nationalities, except Australian citizens and New Zealand citizens travelling with a valid New Zealand passport, need a visa to travel to and enter Australia.
Passport holders of many countries also need a visa to transit Australia to a third country. To check if you need a transit visa:

See: www.immi.gov.au/visitors/transit/no-visa.htm for further information.

Singapore passport-holders may apply for electronic tourist and business visas. These are called Electronic Travel Authorities (ETAs):

See: www.singapore.embassy.gov.au/sing/eta_visa.html.

DO I Need a Visa Label?

Australia's modern electronic visa system does not require you to have a visa label placed in your passport to confirm your immigration status and entitlements in Australia.

When you check in to fly to Australia, airline staff will electronicallyu confirm that you have authority to travel to Australia prior to boarding the aircraft, using your passport: See About Your Visa (http://www.immi.gov.au/visas/about-your-visa.htm)

I'm not sure what visa would suit my circumstances. Where can I get information?

The best place to check what visa might suit your circumstances (if any) is by using the "Visa Wizard" in the home page of the Department's main website at www.immi.gov.au

Can I apply for a visa at the Australian High Commission if I do not live permanently in Singapore?

Yes, but your application may take longer to process and you may be required to attend an interview and provide a number of documents relating to your employment (if any) and reasons for not applying in your home country. In some cases, an application may be referred to our office in your home country for checking.

Do I have to wait five working days for my visitor visa decision?

While the published service standard is five working days (ten days for domestic helpers), wherever possible, the Immigration Section will endeavour to decide straightforward and well-evidenced applications on-the-spot. If so, the counter officer will ask you if you would like to wait. However, the decision whether to assess and decide an application on-the-spot is entirely at the discretion of the Immigration Section supervisors/management and is dependent on such things as peak season (eg. November and in the lead-up to Chinese New Year), and other operational demands. In peak season, it is unlikely your application will be decided on-the-spot unless there is a very urgent reason. Even if your application was decided on-the-spot last time, you should plan ahead and allow at least five working days this time. Depending on the circumstances, some applications require additional checking and may take longer - if so, the counter oficer will advise you on lodgement.

Where can I find information about migrating to Australia?

The High Commission in Singapore processes Family Migration applications but does not process Skilled Migration applications (these are processed in Australia):

See: www.immi.gov.au/migrants/index.htm and follow the links for comprehensive information.

If I wish to apply to migrate to Australia, how long will the process take?

This depends on the class of migration application. All migration applications are different and times given are indicative only. Some applications are more complex than others.

Why are counters only open in the mornings?

So that staff can focus on making visa application assessments and decisions and take telephone calls during the afternoons.

What if I don’t have all the documents required today?

Checklists are available with application forms and on our website. You should endeavour to provide all of the supporting information recommended in the checklists with your application at time of lodgement. This is especially important for visitor visa applications, as there is no obligation on the Immigration Section to make a request for further information (although as a matter of practice case officers will do so in some cases).

If you do want to submit additional information, or have been asked to do so, you can deliver the information personally to the Immigration Section OR place it in the Immigration Drop-Box by the Guard House (available 24/7) OR scan and email it to the Immigration Section at singapore.immigration@dfat.gov.au with your receipt number listed in the header OR post it with your receipt number to the office at:

Immigration Section, Australian High Commission, 25 Napier Road, Singapore 258507.

I have been asked to provide bank details. What is acceptable?

Bank statements with a history of savings (including those obtained on-line, showing your name and account number). Records showing a single balance or a lump sum deposit hold little or no weight as evidence of funds. Credit cards also do not show evidence of financial capacity.

What are the service standards?

Standard processing times vary depending on the type of visa application. Most applications to the High Commission in Singapore are decided well within published standards. Refer to the individual links on specific visa types for the timeframes.

See: www.immi.gov.au/about/charters/client-services-charter/our-standards.htm

Does my young child need his/her own application?

For tourist visas, each individual must lodge a separate application with a separate fee. For business visitor visas, the main applicant can include immediate family members in the same application but should provide evidence of that relationship.

Can children travel to Australia with only one parent?

Usually yes, however the other parent will need to sign a consent form

See: www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1229.pdf

Please speak to us about any custody arrangements if you have further questions.

I want to go to Australia for business (perhaps to work, or to run my own company). Where can I find relevant information?

See: www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/456/index.htm

Do I have to use a migration agent?

NO, but if you wish to do so, it is recommended that you use an agent registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority

See: www.mara.gov.au

Will there be special conditions attached to my visa?

The case officer will advise you. All visitor visas have a condition prohibiting work. For domestic helpers accompanying employers on holiday, usually a “No Further Stay” condition (to be signed at the High Commission by the applicant if approved) normally applies. It is not necessary for the employer to come to the High Commission.

Is there a limit to the number of visits my domestic helper can make to Australia?

Policy generally allows only one domestic helper to accompany an employer per visit and usually not more than two visits per year.

See: www.singapore.embassy.gov.au/sing/Domestics.html

Does the High Commission have a photocopier, photo machine or coffee dispenser?

The nearest photographic services are available at Tanglin Mall. The High Commission has a privately supplied and maintained photocopier available for use for a small fee and a coin change machine. Other nearby photocopier services can be found at The British Council.

I have heard about changes to Australian citizenship rules. Where can I obtain information?

Full details are available on the Immigration Department’s main citizenship website

See: www.citizenship.gov.au

You are also welcome to read local information on the High Commission website

See: www.singapore.embassy.gov.au/sing/Visas_and_Migration.html

How long will it take to register my child as an Australian citizen?

The service standard is five working days in Singapore provided a complete application with all supporting information is provided.

Can I apply for my visa by mail?

You may do so, provided the application is completed, signed and is accompanied by the required fee (cheque or credit card). Documents listed on our website should be included at time of lodgement.

Is there a payphone nearby?

A payphone is located on the Ground Floor, next to the vending machine.

Can I pay by Credit Card?

Application charges can be paid for with Mastercard and Visa credit cards only and NETS is not available.

Can I travel to Australia if my passport is valid for less than 6 months?

Yes. Unlike some countries, Australia does not insist on six months passport validity. However, it is recommended that it should not expire when you are in Australia. You will need a valid passport to leave Australia as well as enter. Some airlines may decline to carry passengers with less than six months validity - you shoukld check with your airline whether this will be an issue for them.

Where can I make suggestions for improvements?

You are welcome to complete a feedback sheet and deposit it in the Client Feedback Drop Box in the waiting room.

Will the High Commission verify documents I provide?

Staff may check any document for authenticity during assessment. Presentation of fraudulent documents is a serious matter and may lead to visa refusal.

Where can I obtain tourist information about Australia?

Your travel agent should be able to assist. There is also a vast amount of relevant information on the Internet. Also you may wish to look at the Tourism Australia website.

See: www.australia.com