Transit Visa to Australia | How to Apply, Cost, Requirements

A transit visa is a temporary visa issued to travellers passing through a country on the way to another destination. It is primarily required if your travel involves a layover or connection in a country where you are not staying for an extended period. Transit visas allow travellers to stay in the airport or, in some cases, leave the airport briefly before continuing their journey.

While the rules vary by country, most transit visas are valid for a short period, typically 24 to 72 hours. Some countries may not require a transit visa for brief layovers, but others enforce strict regulations, particularly if your layover exceeds a certain number of hours. A transit visa for Australia is a short-term visa issued only to grant you passage through Australia while you are travelling to another country. Not everyone needs a transit visa- this will depend on many factors, including your country of residence

Requirements

Travellers to another part of the world who need to stop by at the Australian airport will have to present the following as they applied for this class of visa

Valid Passport.
National ID card.
Visa 771 application form.
` One recent photograph
Detailed itinerary.
Evidence of previous visa (maritime crew applicants).
Confirmed flight ticket to another country.
Visa for another country (if applicable).
Proof that you meet the character prerequisites.
Evidence you signed Australia’s values statement.
Health Insurance.

Document Guidelines

Any visa documents you submit must be in English. If you are in Australia at the time of application, you must have your documents translated by an accredited translator from the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. Translations from another country don’t need to be by an accredited translator, as long as the translator provides their full name, address and contact details, and qualifications.

Every document you submit must be a certified copy of the original. You must have the documents certified by an authorized individual, except for police certificates that must be originals. You can find out how to certify documents and who can certify them on the Australian immigration website

You must scan the pages of your passport displaying your details and the issue and expiry date. If you provide a copy of your National ID cards, both sides must be scanned.

Transit Facilities at Australian Airports

A few of Australia’s airports have limited space for their transit facilities and as a result, you may need a transit visa even if you meet all the requirements to travel without a visa 771. This will depend on the airport you will be arriving in:

Sydney, Cairns, and Gold Coast. You will need a transit visa if you are passing through here overnight since these airports don’t work 24 hours. You must have a valid visa while you spend the night elsewhere.
Perth. Here you will find transit lounges that allow you to stay without a transit visa if you enter and depart from the same terminal.
Darwin. If you need to have your baggage transferred from airplane to airplane, you will need a transit visa since this airport does not provide this service.
You will need a transit visa for overnight flights and if you switch aircraft. However, you may be exempt from the transit visa if the airline sends a notice prior to your arrival, provided you already meet the requirements for travelling without a transit visa (see above).
Canberra, Sunshine Coast. This airport does not work 24 hours and does not provide travel facilities for passengers who can pass through Australia without a transit visa. Therefore, all passengers going through here will need a visa 771.

How to Apply

You can apply and get a transit visa by submitting your application via the ImmiAcocunt. You must have an account so you can attach the visa application form and the required documents, if you don’t, then open one prior to your trip. Make sure you lodge your application as early as a month before.

How Much Does a Transit Visa for Australia Cost?

There is no cost for a transit visa $771. You are not required to make a base application fee if you do need this visa.

VALIDITY OF THE VISA

The holder of this visa can only stay for 72 hours in Australia. If you are a maritime crew member who entered Australia via plane, then you have 5 days to join your new ship. After five days, your transit visa is no longer valid plus you must lodge a new transit visa application each time you enter Australia by plane to join a new crew.