Australia Transit Visa

No. As of yet, no provision enables Indian travellers to get an Australian visa on arrival. This means that Indian nationals must have a valid transit visa before they arrive in Australia.

Several nationalities need not get a visa if they are only transiting via Australia. However, as Indian travellers, if you are transiting through Australia, you will need to apply for an Australian transit visa, also known as a Subclass 771 visa.

The only exception is for Indians who possess an official passport. For normal passport holders, if a transit visa is not applied for before landing in Australia, there is a high probability that you will not be permitted to board your connecting flight.

Generally, if travellers are not going to leave the transit lounge at the airport, they may not require a transit visa. However, the travelling rules of Australia do not make this exception. In other words, even if travellers will not be leaving the transit lounge in Australia, they will still need to have a transit visa for Australia.

The transit visa can also be used by maritime crew who would be flying to Australia to board a non-military ship. In case you need to stay for longer than 72 hours in Australia, you will have to apply for an Australian tourist visa.

As mentioned earlier, Indian travellers need a mandatory transit visa when transiting via Australia. Here are some important details about the Australia transit visa for Indians:

It is also important to note that you cannot get an extension on your stay with a transit visa in Australia. So, travellers must plan their onward flights carefully or apply for a different visa type if they need to stay in Australia for longer than the permitted hours.

The Australian transit visa application process is straightforward and can be completed online. To apply for a transit visa, Indian nationals will have to create an ImmiAccount via the official Australian government website. Here is a step-by-step guide for Australian transit visa application:

Step 1 - Collect all essential documents: Ensure you have all the important documents required for the application ready. Without the right documents, your Australian transit visa may not get approved.

Step 2 - Create an ImmiAccount: Register an ImmiAccount from the official website of the Australian Government by clicking on “Create ImmiAccount.” On the next page, you will be expected to fill in your personal information and your contact information.

Step 3 - Submit a new application: Once you have registered your ImmiAccount, start a new application. From the drop-down select the option of “Visitor” and then “Transit Visa.” It is important to note that if you are travelling with your family, you will have to make a separate application for every member, as no option allows you to apply as a group.

Step 4 - Fill out the application form: When filling out the application form the traveller will have to fill out their personal details such as country of residence, date of travel, purpose of transit, etc. Once the form is duly filled, you will need to upload all the necessary documents as asked.

Step 5 - Apply: After the application form is complete, it can be submitted for processing online. Before submitting, however, it is advised that applicants double-check the information provided to ensure the form has been filled out accurately.

On certain occasions, travellers may be asked to appear for an interview at their nearest embassy. However, in that case, the applicant would be notified of the details via email.

Once the application form has been filled out, you can sit back and wait for it to be processed. You can also check the status of your visa application online. You will need your visa reference number, passport, and some personal details to track the status of your transit visa application.

Before applying for the visa, it is important to ensure that all the relevant documents have been readied for a seamless experience. With that in mind, here is a list of documents that are needed for an Australian transit visa as an Indian applicant:

A valid passport: Indian nationals must possess a valid passport to apply for a transit visa. Also, note that the passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended date of departure from Australia.

Proof of next flight: Travellers must provide proof of onward travel. This can be a confirmed flight ticket or itinerary that would verify they would depart from Australia within 72 hours of arrival.

Visa for final Destination: In certain cases, travellers will need to show a valid visa to enter their final destination of travel

Health insurance: The coverage policy for your health insurance must cover medical treatment and also include the cost of transportation

Australia Visa photo: A passport-size photo of the applicant. Here are the details:

Size: 35mm to 40mm in width and 45mm to 50mm in length

Head size and position: 32mm to 36mm

Background: solid, plain white, or grey

The photo should not be older than six months.

It is essential to check the photo details before application submission.

Once you know all there is to know about Australia transit visa requirements, you can prepare for your trip efficiently.

There are no Australian transit visa fees for Indian nationals. In other words, the transit visa for Australia is free for Indians. Unlike most other countries, Australia does not charge applicants for the processing of a transit visa. However, with the transit visa for Australia, travellers can only enter and remain in Australia for up to 72 hours exclusively for transiting.

As many as 90% of transit visas for Australia are processed within 19 business days. Several factors may influence transit visa Australia processing time. This includes the number of applicants, accuracy of submitting the application forms, etc. So, it is advised to apply for the transit visa for Australia promptly to avoid any last-minute hassles for your trip.

If you are transiting via Australia, you will have to pass through the immigration desk at the airport. Here is what you can expect from the immigration counter at an Australian airport as a traveller on a transit visa:

Document verification: You will have to present all the relevant documents to the inspecting authority at the immigration desk for verification

Transit purpose: You will have to explain your purpose of transit to the immigration officer, which could be a connecting flight from Australia, for instance

Duration of stay: As mentioned earlier, the transit visa for Australia only permits travellers to stay for 72 hours so it is important to ensure that your onward flight is within this time frame

Baggage claim: Depending on the airport where you land and travel arrangements, you may have to collect and recheck your luggage even for transiting

Quarantine and customs: Australia follows stringent biosecurity measures which necessitate travellers to declare if they are carrying food, plant material, or animal products in the Incoming Passenger Card. Ensure that you have provided all the information accurately, even for items for which you would be in doubt.

Health check: Owing to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health concerns, you may have to undergo a minor health check such as temperature checks or other health screenings

Security check: Before transiting, you may have to undergo a security check

If applicable, don’t leave the transit lounge: Some airports in Australia may have a designated transit lounge for transiting travellers if they don’t intend to leave the airport. However, if your transit needs you to switch terminals or airlines, you may have to exit and re-enter through security.

Overseas travel is a significant financial commitment. This means that even minor hurdles in your trip, such as flight delays, can burn a hole in your pocket as you may have to rearrange hotel reservations and tweak your itinerary accordingly.

Therefore, to safeguard your trip from unforeseeable scenarios, you must invest in an international travel insurance policy.

Your travel insurance policy can be customised to accommodate your itinerary so you can have a safe trip. For example, if you are planning on travelling to Australia, you can invest in travel insurance for Australia and check your itinerary to see if you need to strengthen the basic coverage with some additional security features.

Contrary to popular opinion, travel insurance is a pocket-friendly financial investment and when you buy overseas travel insurance online, you can even get a discount on your premiums. The travel insurance policy by Tata AIG secures your trip against a host of unpleasant scenarios such as right from loss of passport and flight delays to accidental injuries and misplaced luggage.

• Indian nationals will need a transit visa for transiting via Australia if they have a layover in the country. This is also applicable if you stay in the transit lounge or fly out on the same plane you arrived on from the same airport.

• Australian transit visas are free of cost for Indian travellers.

• You can apply for an Australia transit visa online, and the processing time for the visa is 19 business days.

Information last updated Jan 24. While this information is sourced reliably, visa requirements can change. For the most current visa details, visit the official Consulate/Embassy website.