Australian Embassy
Saudi Arabia

Visas and citizenship

Visas and Citizenship

For information on topics not featured on this site, please visit our main website: www.homeaffairs.gov.au

 

Important news:

1. Family and Transit visas - changes to lodgement arrangements

2. Establishment of the Department of Home Affairs

3. Australian Visa Application Centres in the Gulf region ⇒ INTRODUCTION OF MANDATORY APPOINTMENT SYSTEM

4. Online services

5. Scam alert

 

1. Family and Transit visas - changes to lodgement arrangements  

On 1 July 2018 there will be changes to how and where to lodge certain Family Stream visa applications. For more information see Changes to lodgement methods for Family Stream visa applications.

From 1 July 2018 online lodgement will be the only option available for Transit (subclass771) visa applications.

From the date of introduction of the online form, clients will no longer have access to, or be able to lodge, paper applications for this visa.

A transit visa online application form will be available through ImmiAccount.

 

2. Establishment of the Department of Home Affairs

On 20 December 2017 the Department of Home Affairs was formally established.

The establishment of the Department of Home Affairs brings together Australia's federal law enforcement, national and transport security, criminal justice, emergency management, multicultural affairs and immigration and border-related functions and agencies.

The Department of Home Affairs includes the entirety of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

For more information, please refer to our main website

 

3. Australian Visa Application Centres in the Gulf region

We have a service delivery partner - VFS Global - for the provision of biometrics collection services throughout nine Australian Visa Application Centres (AVACs) in the Gulf region

MANDATORY APPOINTMENT SYSTEM: It is mandatory to make an appointment at an AVAC for the collection of biometrics. Please click the following link to schedule an appointment online


 

4. Online Services

► ImmiAccount

ImmiAccount is the 'front door' to our online services. After creating an ImmiAccount you can:

  • apply for a visa or citizenship
  • update your passport details
  • update your contact details

► Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO)

VEVO is a free online service that allows visa holders to check the details and entitlements of their visa. You can also use VEVO to print a copy of your visa details to take with you when you travel, or email your visa details.

Visa holders may also download our free myVEVO app, which allows you to view and email your visa details via an Android or iOS mobile device.

 

5. Migration Fraud - visa scams

See our main website for more information and current alerts about migration fraud and visa scams.

 

Visa categories

There are a range of visa options for people who want to visit, work, study or live in Australia. We endeavour to help you find relevant visa information but we will not provide you with advice on your visa eligibility.

To see which Australian visa might suit you, use our Visa Finder

For information about the different visa categories, use the following links:

 

Citizenship

See our step-by-step guide about how to apply for Australian citizenship

Applications for citizenship by descent can be lodged online or in-person at an Australian visa application centre.

Applications for Australian citizenship general eligibility and applications to resume or renounce Australian citizenship should be lodged at our Canberra office in the Australian Capital Territory.

If you have lost, damaged or had your Australian citizenship certificate stolen, see our online guide to apply for proof of your Australian citizenship

 

Lodging your application

► Apply online

Eligible applicants should apply online by creating an ImmiAccount

► Apply at an Australian Visa Application Centre

To see which visa applications can be lodged at an Australian visa application centre, refer to Visa Types

MANDATORY APPOINTMENT SYSTEM: From 5 November 2017 it will be mandatory to have an appointment at an Australian visa application centre for the submission of visa applications or enrolment of biometrics. Please click the following link to schedule an appointment online 

 

To avoid processing delays, all documents and information to support your visa application must be submitted together at the time of application lodgement – see our information to help you prepare your application. You can expect your visa application to take longer to process if you have not provided all the required documentation when you apply.

 Note: you should not finalise travel commitments until you have a visa to travel to Australia. The Department of Home Affairs will not be liable for any financial loss incurred by clients whose visa application was processed later than expected or where an application is unsuccessful.

 

Application processing times

The processing time for your application will depend on the visa or citizenship category you have chosen. For a detailed list of processing times, see our global visa and citizenship processing times

Processing times will be updated monthly and will be available for most visa and citizenship application types.

Police clearance certificate from Saudi authorities

If you are requested to provide a Saudi Police Clearance Certificate for an immigration/visa purpose, please contact the Australian Embassy in Riyadh via [email protected] for requirements and rates, if applicable.

Visa and citizenship enquiries

Visa and citizenship enquiries are managed by our Global Service Centre:

  • Telephone: +61 2 6196 0196 (09:00 – 17:00 local time, Monday to Friday)

If you are not able to find the information you are after at www.homeaffairs.gov.au or by calling the Global Service Centre, you may contact the Australian Embassy in Riyadh: