why does australian tourist visa take so long

Foreign travellers still facing long waits for Australian tourist visas

The tourism industry is urging the Home Affairs Department to speed up the processing of tourist visas as some travellers face months-long delays to enter Australia to holiday or see family.

Key points:

• The Tourism and Transport Forum chief says the delays are "damaging our brand"
• Leonora Luff's family in the Philippines has been waiting five months for tourist visas to visit Australia
• Tour operator Jian Sun hopes Chinese tourists return soon

While there was much fanfare when Australia fully reopened to the world in February, the recovery for tourist operators has been sluggish, with overseas arrivals still far below pre-pandemic levels. 

"If we make it difficult for them to get a visa and it takes forever, they'll take their money and trip elsewhere," Margy Osmond, chief executive of the Tourism and Transport Forum, told 7.30. 

"It is actually damaging our brand not to be able to get those visas out the door as quickly as possible in the most appropriate way." 

Australia's $60 billion tourism industry lost an estimated 610,000 jobs during the pandemic.

Queenslander Leonora Luff told 7.30 she was desperate to reconnect with her relatives in the Philippines but they had been waiting five months for their tourist visa to visit Australia.

They have not heard back from the department and applicants are unable to check on the status of their application.

Ms Luff said she had not seen her young niece for years and had not met her one-year-old nephew.

"The stress to the family, the emotional toll and the psychological toll, it can be unbearable," she said.

"It is very important for me because they're like my children, they're my joy, they're my world."

The Home Affairs Department said it had experienced a 427 per cent increase in visitor visa holders since the border was partially reopened to some travellers in November last year.

The department says tourist-visa processing times have improved from 20 months to 37 days for 90 per cent of applications as it works through the backlog.

When asked what applicants should do if they had not heard about their visa status, the Home Affairs Department did not provide a direct answer, but said: "All applications are assessed on a case by case basis and processing times can vary due to individual circumstance and whether or not the application lodged was incomplete or required further information." 

Many operators, such as BridgeClimb in Sydney, which runs the iconic Harbour Bridge climbing tour, are yet to see pre-pandemic numbers of foreign tourists return.

Domestic sightseers now make up the majority of current sales.

"We couldn't keep going at this rate for an elongated period of time," chief executive Deb Zimmer said.

"What we can see is the green shoots, and we're really hopeful, but for us the litmus test really is December and January." 

Waiting for Chinese tourists to return

On top of visa delays and aviation constraints, Australia's tourism sector is facing a $12 billion black hole because the Chinese visitor market has evaporated . 

Before the pandemic, Chinese tourists were the largest and biggest-spending group of visitors to Australia —   about 1.4 million people a year. 

Now Chinese tourists have dropped to eighth spot, with British visitors now on top. 

That is because China is still living under a hardline zero-COVID strategy, meaning residents face localised lockdowns and restrictions on non-essential travel out of the country. 

Jian Sun runs a bus tour in Sydney that specialises in Chinese visitors. He has had to switch to domestic Chinese Australians to fill in the gap, and is worried about how long it might take for Chinese nationals to return.

"We feel a bit nervous and stressed because of the uncertainty," he told 7.30. 

Tourism sector's full recovery at least 12 months away

While the industry expects a slow recovery, it celebrated a significant milestone   last month   with the return of the Australian Tourism Exchange, an expo where buyers and sellers do business.

It was the first time in two years that overseas buyers could meet face to face with Australian operators.

Tourism operator Sherry Heard travelled from Texas to see what Australia had to offer to Americans.

Ms Heard told 7.30 she believed people should not fear taking an overseas trip. 

"The world is fully equipped to handle all types of tourism, whether it's here in Australia or any part of the world," she said. 

"It's time that people start travelling again." 

Watch this story on ABC TV and ABC iview.

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Australian visa processing times: How long you’ll wait for approval

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The Aussie immigration system is complex, application fees are expensive, and in some cases, visas can take over two years to be processed. Here's how long you can expect to wait when applying for an Australian visa.

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Visa processing times

The Australian government updates the processing times monthly. Factors such as application volumes, seasonal peaks and complex cases may also affect how long it takes to approve your visa.

*Processing times are updated monthly and were correct at time of publishing.

See also: An Australian visa for South Africans over 45

Circumstances that affect your visa application processing times

Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and processing times given by Australian Home Affairs may change due to individual circumstances. Some of the most common situations that could affect how long it takes to process your visa include:

• Whether you have filled in the application form accurately
• Whether you have provided and completed all the necessary documents
• How long it takes officials to perform the required checks on the information provided
• How long it takes to receive additional information from external agencies

See also: Up your pay Down Under: Plumbers and electricians needed in Australia

Get the right visa, get to Australia

If you want to move to Australia, you’ll first need to determine which visas you qualify for and then decide which one suits your individual circumstances and long-term plans. Australia offers various visas  for people who have skills that are in demand, businessowners, partners and dependants.

In November 2019, the Australian government will be launching two new Skilled Regional Provisional visas for skilled migrants. Since there is a very high demand for skilled individuals in regional Australia, visas in the Migration Programme will receive priority processing.

Have a question about which Aussie visa is right for you?

Get your application approved without any hiccups.

Applying for an Australian visa without the correct guidance can lead to wasted time, money and delay your application. One way to ensure your application is processed as smoothly as possible is by speaking to a M ARA-registered immigration advisor  before you apply. This will ensure you don’t experience any unnecessary delays or extra costs. An immigration agent can also advise you on which visa route is the best one for you and your family.

Ready to pack your bags and head to Australia? Speak to us about your options at  [email protected] or call us on +61 (0) 38651 4500 .

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Our teams in the UK, South Africa and Australia can ensure that when you decide to move overseas, invest offshore or expand your business internationally, you'll do so with the backing of experienced local experts.

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Australian Visa and Entry Requirements FAQs

Learn about visa requirements for entry to Australia for tourism purposes with this list of frequently asked questions. 

Please note this page is intended to provide general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Tourism Australia is not the Australian government visa granting authority. For information on visas to enter Australia, visitors should seek the most up-to-date information from Australian Government Department of Home Affairs .*

Ready to plan your trip? We're ready to welcome you! Here are some helpful tips for getting your visa sorted: 

• Be sure to secure the appropriate visa before travelling to Australia. Use the Visa Finder to explore your options.
• Ensure all details are correct and provide all required documents when you apply. An incomplete or incorrect application can delay your visa.
• Submitting multiple applications at the same time can slow the process. For visitor visas, submit one application per person, including children. 
• Questions? The Australian Government's Global Service Centre can help.

Australian Visa Information

Unless you are an Australian citizen, you will need a valid Australian visa to enter the country. New Zealand passport holders can apply for a visa upon arrival in the country. All other passport holders, regardless of age, must apply for a visa before leaving home. You can apply for a range of Australian visa types, including tourist visas and working holiday visas, via the ETA app or on the  Department of Home Affairs website.

There are different Australian visa types available for travellers to Australia. Knowing which Australian visa to apply for depends on the length of your stay, your passport and the purpose of your visit. You’ll also need to meet certain financial and medical requirements, be outside of Australia when applying and maintain health insurance for the duration of your stay. 

Electronic Travel Authority visa  (subclass 601) This visa allows you to visit Australia as many times as you want, for up to a year, and stay for three months each visit. This visa is available to passport holders from a number of countries and regions, who live outside Australia. A step-by-step guide on how to apply is  here .

All ETA-eligible passport holders must apply for an ETA using the Australian ETA app. Agents can assist you in the application process, but you must be physically present as a live facial image is required.

eVisitor  (subclass 651) This is a free visa for multiple visits to Australia for tourism or business purposes for up to three months at a time within a 12-month period. This visa is available to passport holders from a number of European countries and it cannot be extended.

Visitor visa  (subclass 600) The Visitor visa allows you to visit Australia, either for tourism or business purposes. It is open to all nationalities. Generally, a period of stay of up to three months is granted, but up to 12 months may be granted in certain circumstances. Applicants will have to pay a fee to submit their application.

The application process may differ depending on which visa you need.

You can only apply for the  Electronic Travel Authority visa  (subclass 601) through the Australian ETA app. A step-by-step guide on how to apply is located  here .

For other visas, you can apply online by creating an ImmiAccount and completing the application process. Be sure to submit your application well in advance of your travel date to allow enough time for processing. You may be asked to provide further supporting information. You will be notified in writing if your tourist visa is approved and it will be digitally linked to your passport. For more information on different visa types, and Australian visa requirements including how to apply for an Australian visa, visit the  Department of Home Affairs  website.

If you are already in Australia and hold a valid Electronic Travel Authority visa (subclass 601) you can extend your stay by applying for another visa, such as a Visitor visa (subclass 600). An eVisitor (subclass 651) cannot be extended.

See the Department of Home Affairs website for details.

Working Holiday Visas

Australia's Working Holiday Maker program allows visitors aged under 30 (or 35 in certain cases) who hold a passport from a participating country to travel and work in Australia. Working holiday visas are valid for one year, or up to three years if you meet certain conditions.

Find out more about working holiday visas here .

*Australian visa regulations (including visa application charges) change from time to time. The information provided here is valid at the time of publication, but visitors should check this information is still current by visiting the Australian Department of Home Affairs .

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Australian visitor visa wait times have blown out with some nationalities in limbo for months

Tourists have been waiting three times longer to get their visas approved for travel to australia this year compared to pre-covid-19 times, with a new report showing specific impacts on visitors from one country..

Visa processing times for tourists and business travellers blew out this year. Source: SBS News

• Australian visitor visa wait times revealed.
• New report shows Chinese tourists waited four months for visas.
• Visitor numbers are also well down compared to pre-COVID levels.

Why have the wait times increased?

Certain countries experiencing longer delays

Australian visa changes: What Labor's 2022 federal budget means for migration

Arrivals are still a long way from pre-pandemic levels

Change in the origin of tourists

Business visa approvals drop by 320 per cent

What is Australia's 'golden ticket' visa and why is it being talked about?

Countries finding it harder to get visas approved

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How and When to Get a Visa to Visit Australia

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

US citizens can travel to many countries visa-free, but Australia isn't one of them. If you're thinking about traveling to Australia, you'll need to plan ahead and obtain valid travel documentation. Here's what you need to know before traveling to Australia as a US citizen with a US passport.

What Visa Do I Need?

The Australian government makes it easy to determine the visa you need with its Visa Finder website . This website asks three questions, the first of which is about the purpose of your trip (think: vacation, visiting relations, attending an event, doing business and seeking medical treatment, among others):

The next question asks the country of your passport:

And the final question asks how long you'd like to stay in Australia — either less than or more than three months.

Most travelers from the US will likely be eligible for an Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601) — also called an ETA — as I was for my most recent month-long trip.

This is because an ETA is available to US citizens visiting Australia for three months for reasons that fit into the following categories:

• Holiday or vacation
• Visit to see friends or family
• Select business activities such as general business or employment inquiries; investigate, negotiate, sign or review a business contract; or attend a conference, trade fair or seminar

Since most US citizens traveling to Australia will be traveling for one of these reasons (and, as a result, are eligible to apply for an ETA) I'll focus on ETAs available to US citizens with a US passport.

What Are the Requirements?

To apply for an ETA, you must:

• Have a valid passport from an eligible country (including the US).
• Apply while outside Australia.
• Wish to stay no longer than three months at a time (you must not study for more than three months, for example).
• Be free from tuberculosis.
• Not have any criminal convictions for which you have been sentenced for a total combined period of 12 months or more, whether or not you served the sentence(s).
• Have paid back any debt — of either yourself or your family — or arranged to pay back any debt to the Australian government.

How Much Does It Cost to Apply Online?

The ETA is free, but there is an online application service charge of 20 Australian dollars (about $14) per applicant. As US passport holders -- along with seven other nationalities -- must apply online, there's no escaping the online application service charge. The fees for my recent ETA applications coded as "Bills and Utilities" on my Chase Sapphire Reserve statement, so don't expect the fee to code as "Travel."

How Long Does It Take?

The Australian government says "processing time for this visa is not available" and that the visa may take longer to process if:

• You don't fill it out correctly
• It takes the Australian government additional time to verify your information

Most ETA applications are approved immediately, and those that need additional processing are usually handled within 24 hours. This being said, the Australian government recommends travelers get an approved ETA before booking any nonrefundable travel. Once an ETA is granted, it is valid for one year and allows multiple entries up to three months each.

How Do I Apply?

The online ETA application takes about five minutes to complete. To start an application, click "Apply for an ETA."

Step 1 : Select whether you need a Tourist ETA or a Business Visitor ETA, and certify that you are currently located outside Australia.

Step 2 : Enter your personal details, whether you have an alias, answer a question about your criminal record and enter your passport information.

Step 3 : Enter your address, phone number and email. Select whether you wish to receive communications by SMS and declare whether you hold any passports issued by other countries.

Step 4 : Confirm your information.

Step 5 : Pay the online service charge of 20 Australian dollars (about $14) using a credit card.

How Do I Check My Status?

Once you have submitted an online ETA application, you'll receive a response. The response may:

• Notify you that your ETA has been granted.
• Advise you that your application has been referred for further assessment. You can then check the status of your application after 12 hours by logging back into the ETA system and selecting the option "Check an ETA."
• Advise you to contact the nearest Australian visa office to make a new application.

My response came immediately in an email titled, "ETA Application for Australia [CLIENT-IN-CONFIDENCE] (PROD)" that confirmed my application had "been successful," my payment had been received, that I was now the proud holder of a "valid ETA for Australia" and that my ETA had been linked to my passport, so no additional documents would be required during the travel process.

What Do I Need to Print Before Travel?

Nothing. When your ETA is linked to your passport, it becomes available to both airline representatives as well as Australian immigration authorities. So, there's no need to print your confirmation once your ETA has been granted.

Other Questions

If you have other questions about ETAs, or other types of Australian visas, take a look at the Australian government's Visa Finder website . Questions such as how to combine multiple visa types if the purpose of your trip changes and what to do if you get a new passport are covered on the website.

Traveling to Australia soon? Here are some TPG articles that might be helpful:

• The Best Ways to Use Points and Miles to Fly from the US to Australia
• TPG Readers Reveal Their Favorite Points Hotels in Australia
• TPG Readers' Best Tips for Flying Around Australia
• 8 Australian Islands You Probably Haven't Heard of But Need to Visit

How Long Will it Take to Get My Visa? Understanding Australia’s Visa Processing Delays

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*Disclaimer: The contents of this article do not constitute legal migration advice, are not intended to be a substitute for legal migration advice, and should not be relied upon as such. For professional migration assistance, always consult a Registered Migration Agent registered with the Office of Migration Agents Registered Authority (MARA) or contact the Department of Home Affairs . 

Whether you’ve recently applied for a skilled migration visa or you’re planning to soon, you’ve likely heard about the significant backlogs in visa processing. According to ABC News , the Australian Government is currently experiencing major delays; it’s estimated that it could take over six months to resolve the backlog of roughly a million unprocessed visas. With this in mind, you may be wondering: how long will it take for my visa application to be processed in Australia?

In this article, we walk you through Australia’s visa processing delays, what’s causing them and how to potentially avoid them.

• What is General Skilled Migration and State Nomination?
• Victoria’s 2022-23 Skilled Migration Program is Now Open 

Understanding Australia’s visa processing delays

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia’s borders were closed for nearly two years. This meant that skilled migration visa applications were essentially halted during that period. However, when Australia reopened its borders completely in February 2022, this reopened the door for visa applications. Now, the Australian Government is seeing a massive influx of visa applications and they are struggling to keep up with the demand. 

The Department of Home Affairs last updated its global processing times web page on 19 July 2022. On the web page, the Department notes that this list is updated monthly, taking these delays into account. 

Skilled migrants feeling the pressure

Amid these delays, many skilled migrant workers are feeling immense pressure and stress – so much so that several have taken to the streets to protest. On 14 August 2022 , skilled migrant protestors stationed themselves on the steps of Adelaide’s Parliament House, pleading with the Government to fast-track their permanent residency (PR) visa applications. In a tweet, 7News Adelaide stated that the “backlog [of visa applications] is so heavy, applications submitted prior to September 2020 are currently being assessed.” 

South Australian migrants have staged a protest in the city, pleading with the federal government to fast-track their permanent residency visas. 7NEWS Adelaide at 6pm | https://t.co/8ftPfFYTVQ #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/WRemNwTmRR — 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) August 14, 2022

What is causing the visa delays in Australia? 

While the influx of visa applications is one of the primary causes behind the backlog, the Department of Home Affairs has also shared that there are other contributing factors. These include:

• Lodgements of incomplete applications. 
• How promptly applicants respond to requests for additional information
• How long it takes the Department to perform checks on the information supplied
• How long it takes to acquire information from outside agencies (such as information on character, health, etc.)
• How many places are available in the migration program (for PR applications)

How to avoid visa processing delays

It’s important to remember that there is no guaranteed way to avoid visa processing delays. However, you can improve your chances of having your visa processed promptly by ensuring you submit a complete application with all the required documentation. The Department of Education, Skills and Employment also highlighted that the sector needs to help in this initiative, particularly providers and agents. 

Additionally, if the Department requests any extra information or documentation from you, aim to reply to these requests as soon as possible. 

My application is taking too long – what can I do?

If you are worried about the status of your application, you can get in touch with the Commonwealth Ombudsman or consult its visa delay fact sheet . However, the Ombudsman will not usually investigate individual complaints about processing times. If you can demonstrate compelling or compassionate circumstances, you can try to request that your application be prioritised by:

• Calling the Department of Home Affairs Service Centre on 131 881, or
• Contacting the relevant processing office(s)

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