COVID-19 – Current restrictions on travel to Australia and changes to visa processing services

Travel Restrictions

Only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia.

All persons, including current visa holders, who are not Australian citizens, permanent residents or immediate family members cannot travel to Australia at this time.

Please see the following page on the Department of Home Affairs website for more information: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/coming-australia. Travel restrictions are subject to change and you should check the website regularly. See below for detail on exemptions.

During this period:

• All visa processing will experience delays, including all Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) applications and all other applications previously lodged with the Australian High Commission.

• The Department of Home Affairs is prioritising processing visa applications for those travellers in the exempt categories to support urgent travel.

• We encourage applicants to apply online wherever possible, as these applications will be processed faster than those lodged on paper.

Biometrics Collection

The Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) in Kuala Lumpur has resumed limited operations for Biometrics collection, by appointment only. In addition, the AVAC will offer assisted online lodgement services.

You can use your existing Requirement to provide personal identifiers (biometrics) letter to book and attend an appointment. If you have applied for your visa online, a copy of this letter is available in your ImmiAccount. To make an appointment to provide biometrics, visit the AVAC website.

We are aware that you may not be able to provide biometrics due to Malaysia's Conditional Movement Control Order (MCO). You do not need to contact us if restrictions prevent you from travelling to the AVAC.

The AVAC will not accept paper applications. You should lodge a visa application online (see below).

Travel Restriction Exemptions for Visa Holders

Only certain people can travel to Australia:

• You can travel if you are an Australian citizen, or permanent resident of Australia.

• You can travel if you are a New Zealand citizen usually resident in Australia and can demonstrate your residency.

• Partner and Child visa holders (except for Prospective Marriage visa holders) may travel to Australia

Limited exemptions apply for some visa holders:

• If you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident but are an immediate family member of an Australian citizen or permanent resident (spouse, dependent or legal guardian), you may apply for an exemption, but only if you hold a visa.

Please do not seek to travel until granted an exemption.

For more information on the travel ban and to apply for an exemption as an immediate family member of an Australian citizen or permanent resident, visit the Home Affairs website: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/immediate-family-australian-citizen-or-permanent-resident. The link to apply for the exemption is at the bottom of the page.

If you do not hold a visa

If you do not hold a visa you cannot travel to Australia. Apply for a visa and if appropriate provide proof of your relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Apply for a visa through this website: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder.

Certain passport holders may be able to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) as part of the Australian ETA mobile app pilot. See: ETAs and Australia's Travel Restrictions for more information.

If we grant you a visa you must not travel until advised that you are exempt from the travel restriction.

Apply for the exemption here once you have obtained your visa: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/covid19-enquiry-form.

Travellers, who are neither Australian citizens, permanent residents or immediate family, but who have a compassionate or compelling reason to travel to Australia, will need to have an exemption from the Australian Border Force Commissioner. You must not attempt to travel until advised that you are exempt from the travel restriction. For more information, please see: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions-0.

Refunds & waivers of visa application charges

Some visa holders impacted by Australia's COVID-19 travel restrictions will soon be able to access a refund or a waiver of their Visa Application Charge (VAC).

• Prospecitive Marriage (subclass 300) visa holders unable to enter Australia before their visa ceased may be eligible for a refund of the VAC
• If you were granted a Working Holiday Maker (subclass 462) visa, you may be able to receive a VAC waiver for a future application or a refund. A VAC waiver will apply for a further application if you were unable to travel to Australia because of travel restrictions or had to depart Australia early due to COVID-19. If you have since passed the age limit for a WHM visa and are not eligible to lodge a further application, you will be able to receive a refund instead.
• A VAC waiver will be available for Visitor (Tourist) (subclass 600) visa holders whose visas expired while outside Australia following implementation of COVID-19 travel restrictions on 20 March 2020.

For further information, including when the provisions will be available, please visit https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/refunds-and-waivers-visa-application-charges.

Information for Malaysian Nationals leaving Malaysia

If you hold a temporary visa and have obtained an exemption to travel to Australia, please be aware the Malaysian government is currently imposing restrictions on some citizens departing Malaysia, and may still prevent you from departing Malaysia. We recommend you carry hardcopies of your visa grant letter and evidence that you have been exempted from Australia's travel restrictions.