According to the Australian High Commission in India, from December 5, 2016, applicants applying for Visa Subclass 600 (Visitor Visa) in both tourist and business streams will be able to opt for Priority service with an additional fee of AU1000. This, of course, applies to those who meet the full criteria. Applicants can find the full details of this subclass below.
What is the Priority Consideration (fast-track) Service?
This is a premium service for priority consideration of Subclass 600 Visitor visas (Business or Tourist Stream) which is being offered in India. For an additional priority service fee of AUD 1000 the visitor visa application will be prioritised. The majority of fast-track applications will be finalised within 48 hours of being received by the Australian High Commission.
All applicants must meet the legal requirements set out in migration legislation for the grant of a visitor visa, including health, character and security requirements.
Applicants should note there is no guarantee that the visa application will be finalised within 48 hours, and that the priority service fee is not refundable in the event of a delay – whatever the reason.
Who is eligible?
The priority service is available to Indian passport holders living in India who pay the AUD 1000 priority service fee and lodge a Subclass 600 Visitor visa application, either in the tourist or business streams, at one of the AVACs in India.
Note that the Department does not recommend this service for applicants who have known health or character issues which will require further assessment, or an adverse immigration history. The priority service fee will not be refunded if there are processing delays or if the visa application is refused.
How do I apply?
1. Applicants must lodge the subclass 600 Visitor visa application (tourist or business stream) form and supporting documents at an AVAC
- Form 1419 Application for a Visitor visa – Tourist stream or
- Form 1415 Application for a Visitor visa – Business Visitor stream
- AVAC’s are located in New Delhi, Mumbai South, Mumbai North, Koikata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Pune, Jalandhar
2. In order to request the priority service for a visa application, and authorise payment, applicants must include a signed Form 1472 - Visitor visa – Business Visitor and Tourist streams priority consideration (fast-track) service.
- Applicants must sign Form 1472 to acknowledge that they understand the terms of the priority service
3. Pay the Visa application charge of AUD 135 and the priority service charge of AUD 1000
Does the 48 hour processing time start when I submit the application to the AVAC?
No, the 48 hour processing time starts when the complete visa application and priority service request is received by the High Commission which will process the visa application. This will be one or more days after the visa application was submitted at the AVAC.
Am I guaranteed a visa in 48 hours? Can I get a refund of the priority service fee if my application is delayed or refused?
No.
Although the vast majority of applicants will receive a visa outcome within 48 hours of the High Commission receiving a complete application, this is not guaranteed.
All visa applicants must meet the legal requirements set out in migration legislation for the grant of a visitor visa, including the requirement that applicants meet relevant health, character and security requirements.
The priority service fee will not be refunded if there are processing delays or if the visa application is refused.
I have lodged my fast-track / priority service request but haven’t heard the outcome. Who should I contact?
If you have already submitted your application for a visa at any one of the AVACs in India, you can track your application. See:
Telephone - +91 022 67866006 (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday)
A family member in Australia is critically ill/ has just died and I need to travel urgently. Do I need to pay AUD 1000 for my application to receive priority processing?
Applicants applying for urgent processing under compelling and compassionate grounds will be subject to normal priority processing arrangements, and will not be required to pay the priority service fee.
If I mail-in my visa application, can I apply for the Priority Service?
Mailed-in applications are not eligible for the Priority Service.
Is the Priority Service available for all visa applications in India?
The Priority Service trial is only available for Subclass 600 Visitor visa (Tourist and Business streams) applications lodged in India, by Indian passport holders.
What is the usual processing time for a Visitor visa application lodged in India in the regular way?
Processing times vary throughout the year. Visitor processing times are published on the website of the Australian High Commission in India ().
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