AUSTRALIA – Visa Application Fees to Increase from January; Further Fee Hikes Proposed
The Australian government has announced new visa fees to be effective from January 2012, with increases ranging from five to 15% in several categories. Additionally, proposals have been made for further increases over the course of the next eighteen months.
New Visa Application Charges
The new visa application charges (VAC), effective from 1 January 2012, are as follows (in Australian dollars):
- 020 Bridging Visa B: $125 (up from $105)
- 119 Employer nomination/ Regional sponsored migration scheme lodged offshore: $2095 up from $1995)
- 121 Employer nomination application lodged offshore: $2095 (up from $1995)
- 456 Business (short stay): $140 (up from $120)
- 457 Business (long stay): $350 (up from $305)
- 856 Employer nomination application lodged onshore: $3105 (up from $2960)
- 857 Employer nomination/Regional sponsored migration scheme lodged onshore: $3105 (up from $2960)
Further Fee Hikes Proposed
The Australian government has also proposed the introduction of higher fees over the course of the next eighteen months for the following situations:
- For each dependent to be included in a visa application, from July 2013. Currently, the fee covers all dependents included in a visa application;
- For longer duration visas;
- For paper applications where an online option is available; and
- For optional services, such as visa labels which are not currently required, as the Australian immigration system is electronically monitored.
Action Items
- Note the fee increases and budget accordingly.
This news alert was prepared using information provided by Visa Executive
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