PETALING JAYA: With many Malaysians still desperately waiting for travel visas to Australia, the High Commission here has advised that applications must be made at least six weeks in advance.
Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Dr Justin Lee (pic) said this is because sufficient time is needed for processing.
He gave his assurance that as travel has resumed in full, processing times across all categories will reduce, including for Malaysians applying for the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA).
“With the reopening of borders to fully vaccinated visa holders from Feb 21, Malaysian passport holders can apply for an ETA through the Australian ETA app.
“The ETA app provides an improved user experience through a simple, secure, convenient, fast and flexible platform from an individuals’ mobile device by automating a number of steps within an ETA application.
“Instructional videos are available on the Home Affairs website that demonstrate how an applicant can use the app to scan their passport and take a photograph,” he told The Star yesterday.
The videos can be found at Subclass 601 Electronic Travel Authority (homeaffairs.gov.au)
To ease the application process, Lee said applicants need to answer all questions before submitting their applications and ensure that all responses are correct.
“Incomplete applications will delay processing. To facilitate timely processing of applications, applicants must make sure that a copy of their passport biodata page and a copy of their national identity card are included.
“They should also provide information to show that they genuinely intend to visit Australia temporarily for tourism or business visitor activity purposes only, including proof that they have enough money for their stay in Australia and include personal bank statements for the last three months, pay slips and credit card statements,” he added.
Lee said applicants could also submit a signed letter of support if someone else is paying for their stay in Australia, and proof that they have reasons to return home.
“For example, ongoing employment, business registration documents, ongoing education or evidence of other commitments in their home country, as well as a list of immediate family members including their names, date of birth and relationship,” he said.
Lee said that apart from the ETA, other visitor visa products are available to Malaysians.
“Malaysian business visitor travellers may consider applying for a Visitor (Business Stream) (subclass 600) visa. These applicants can be granted a visa with a validity of up to three years.
“Malaysian parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents may wish to consider a visitor (Tourist) (subclass 600) visa to support longer stay periods (up to 12 months) or extended validity of up to five years, depending on individual circumstances,” he said.
He said these visas can be applied for via ImmiAccount on the Home Affairs’ website while other visa products can be researched at Explore visa options via homeaffairs.gov.au.
Businessman N. Kumar, 49, who used to travel internationally for work, lamented the slow visa application process.
“I applied for a visa for my work trip to the United States and I managed to get it within a week.
“However, my application for a visa to Australia has been rejected and I have no choice but to delay my work trip,” he said.
A tour agent who wished to be known as Ang said it is a tedious process to plan for a tour to Australia as some customers could not get their visa application approved in time.
“We have people inquiring about tours to Australia but we dare not take up any bookings for now.
“We usually need a group of people to set up a tour group but due to the complications in applying for a visa, many customers have no choice but to drop out from the tour,” said the agent.
Australia fully reopened its international borders on Feb 22 to travellers vaccinated against the coronavirus after nearly two years of being shut.