Applying for a visa is nerve-wracking, all the more when you do it on your own, online, and without assistance from any visa center or agency.
Let’s get straight to the point.
I applied for an Australian visa one Saturday evening and got my visa grant Tuesday of the following week. I wasn’t really expecting it to be that quick because a lot of people shared how theirs took longer. I actually thought the result might come out in a month or two.
Just to give you a quick background, I applied for a Business Stream Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) back in 2017 through VFS Global. I attended a conference that’s why I applied under that category. I got my results in a week. Some of my friends, on the other hand, got their results a month later. They applied for a Tourist Stream Visitor Visa — knowing that, I was really expecting to receive the visa decision in a month but I was wrong.
So, how did you do it?
There are several ways to apply for an Australian visa depending on your location, visa type, and personal circumstance. Here are the most common ways to apply for an Australian visa:
#1 Online (ImmiAccount)
This process is the most convenient and practical way to apply for an Australian visa. All applicants, regardless of location or visa type, can apply for a visa online. It’s pretty straightforward. You need to create an ImmiAccount, follow the steps, fill out the required forms, upload your documents, and pay the visa fee.
#2 In-Person
If you can’t be bothered creating an online ImmiAccount or you find it challenging to do it on your own, you can go to an Australian Visa Application Center (AVAC) to submit your application. You have to schedule an appointment to submit your application and bring all the required travel and supporting documents.
#3 Travel Agency
If you think you need professional advice or assistance in processing your visa application, you can contact a travel agency to assist you while you gather the required documents, complete the visa application form, and represent you in communications with the Department of Home Affairs.
Applying for a Visa Online
The visa application process and requirements may vary depending on the type of visa and your personal circumstances. For this entry, I will only be sharing how I applied for a Tourist Stream Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) online.
Philippine passport holders need to acquire a visa prior to their Australia trip. Fortunately, the process of applying for an Australian visa as a Philippine passport holder has become much easier thanks to the online visa application system.
Follow these easy steps to apply for an Australian Visitor Visa:
#1 Determine the visa type
The type of visa you need will depend on the purpose of your visit to Australia. Some common types of visas for Philippine passport holders include the visitor visa, student visa, and work visa. Again, I will only be focusing on how I applied for a Tourist Stream Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) online.
#2 Create an ImmiAccount
Before you can apply for a visa online, you need to create an ImmiAccount. This is the online platform where you will submit your visa application and receive status updates. Make sure to provide accurate information when creating your account.
#3 Fill out the application form
Once you have created an ImmiAccount, log in and start a new application. You will need to fill out 19 pages of questions and declarations. Provide all the necessary information such as your personal details, the purpose of your travel, and your travel history.
#4 Upload supporting documents
After filling out the visa application form, upload scanned copies of your supporting documents such as your passport, proof of financial capacity, proof of home ties, and travel history. Make sure to check the specific requirements for your visa type as the required documents may vary.
It is important that you attach high-quality scanned documents and images to avoid hiccups on your application. Your documents must be scanned clearly in PDF format and should not exceed 10 MB. If you have an Adobe Acrobat app, you can easily resize files of more than 10 MB. If you don’t, just divide it into parts but note that you can only upload up to 60 files in total.
All documents with a status of Required must be attached first, then upload any Recommended (supporting) documents you want to include in your application.
You can still remove files from your application as long as you have not confirmed its submission. After payment, you are only allowed to add files, you will not be able to remove files. You cannot request deletion of an attachment, or else it will be a red flag against you.
Only the passport photo can be uploaded in JPG format. Photos have to be 35mm to 40mm wide and 45mm to 50mm high. You can ask a professional studio photographer to take your photo and ask for a soft copy. Upload the original JPG format of the photo and not the scanned version.
Read more about this here.
#5 Pay the visa fee
The visa application fee for Philippine passport holders can vary depending on the type of visa and the duration of stay. You need to pay AUD150 AUD190 if you’re applying for any Visitor Visa stream (Subclass 600) unless you’re applying for the Frequent Traveler stream. Fees can be paid online using a credit or debit card if the application is done online.
#6 Submit your application
After completing the online application form and uploading the required documents, you can confirm the submission of your visa application. Make sure to review your application thoroughly before submitting it to avoid any errors or mistakes.
#7 Arrange and submit your biometrics if needed
I know some friends (first-time AU visitors) who were not asked to schedule biometrics collection so I am not sure what’s their basis on this. We were asked to schedule one, so we made an appointment at the VFS after receiving an email correspondence from Australia’s Department of Home Affairs.
We submitted our visa application on a weekend but we scheduled our biometrics collection on a weekday. I’ll be writing a separate entry on how to schedule the biometrics collection, keep posted.
After our photo and biometrics were taken, we paid a fee of ₱892 in cash. VFS does not accept credit or debit card payments.
#8 Wait for the visa decision
Once your biometrics collection is done, you can track its progress through your ImmiAccount. You also need to check the email you used on your application because all correspondence will be sent there. The embassy might ask you to attach more documents, so you need to check the status from time to time. Make sure to attach additional documents as soon as possible to avoid delays or worse, visa refusal.
The processing time for Australian visas for Philippine passport holders may vary depending on the type of visa and the volume of applications. In my case, I got my visa grant minutes after my biometrics collection. You can check the Department of Home Affairs website if you want to know an estimate of how long a visa application can take.
What documents did you submit?
One thing’s for sure, you need to prove your home ties to have a stronger chance to be granted a visa. Here’s a list of important documents you need to submit or include in your visa application:
- Passport bio page (required)
- Recent photo 35x40W, 45x 50H (required)
- Proof of travel history (if applicable)
- Old passport stamps and visas
- Current or valid visas
- Proof of financial capability (required)
You can include any of the following:- Bank certificate
- Bank statements
- Credit card statements
- Proof of assets
- Proof of employment or business
- Business registration papers or permits
- Tax registration or tax contribution confirmation
- Certificate of employment
- Scanned copy of your company ID
- Proof of approved leave of absence
Aside from the basic documents, I also added the following to add more weight to my application:
- Travel Insurance
- Sample itinerary
- Notarized affidavit with attached wedding invitation
- PSA birth certificate or accomplish Form 54 Family Composition
- Booked accommodation
You’re not required to book flights ahead of your visa application but if you already have it, it’s okay to include it. I did not attach my plane tickets as I was still waiting for my New Zealand visa grant (I’ll create a separate post about this too).
I highly suggest adding documents that would strengthen your home ties. Let’s say you own a car, a condo unit, or a property, you can include copies of your registration in your visa application too. You have to assess if your documents can help your visa application or not, if unsure, ask for advice or just skip it.
Klook.comCan I also expect my visa in three days?
Although it’s possible to get your visa in three days just like I did, it’s not always that fast. Two of my companions got their visas after over a week, and I know some friends who got theirs after a month or two. It’s safe to say that the visa application timeline will depend on individual circumstances. You need to allot at least two months before your planned trip to work on and submit your visa application.
Estimated Visa Processing Time
- 25% of applications: 5 Days
- 50% of applications: 10 Days
- 75% of applications: 20 Days
- 90% of applications: 29 Days
You also need to remember that due to COVID-19, some visa processing times have been affected and applications may take longer to finalize.
Applying for an Australian visa as a Philippine passport holder is a relatively straightforward process. By following these steps, proving your home ties, and providing accurate information and supporting documents, you can increase your chances of obtaining an Australian visa. All the best!
If you have any questions or if you want some tips, feel free to leave a comment or message via e-mail. If you like this article and want to see or know more about my other trips and tips, follow me on Instagram, and Tiktok.
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