Australian High Commission

Bangladesh

High Commission address: 184 Gulshan Avenue, Gulshan-2 - Telephone: 881 3105 - Fax: 881 1125

Global delays in the processing of medical clearances for all Australian visas

Health requirements

Australia enjoys some of the best health standards in the world. To maintain these standards, the majority of visa applicants are required to meet the health requirement to be granted a visa.

The Immigration and Citizenship Section of the Australian High Commission, Dhaka will contact you by email if you are required to visit a panel doctor for a medical examination. The email which you will receive will contain your unique numerical identifier (HAP ID) and will also list the medical examinations you need to undertake.

The panel doctor will electronically refer your health reports with relevant findings to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s Health Operation Centre (HOC) in Sydney electronically for assessment to determine if you meet the health requirement.

For more information on circumstances requiring a medical examination: Health examination

Health assessment processing time

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s Health Operation Centre (HOC) in Sydney is currently experiencing a global backlog in the assessment of medical examinations. While the majority of visa medical reports uploaded electronically by the panel doctor are assessed within 2 weeks, some reports, including follow-up medical reports, are taking longer to finalise and the current processing times are between 2 weeks to 4 months. Please note that the delays in processing medical reports are impacting on all Australian visa applications across the globe and the Australian High Commission, Dhaka plays no part in the medical assessment process. Applicants are asked to note the current processing time frames, limit progress inquiries to a minimum, and to lodge applications requiring medical examinations well in advance of the intended date of travel.

Visas and Immigration

Announcement

Important changes to Australia’s Visitor visa arrangements occurring from 23 March 2013.

From 23 March 2013, visitors seeking a new visa to enter Australia for non-work purposes will need to apply for a new Visitor (Subclass 600) visa.

These visas will allow for tourism, family visits, and business visitor activities (undertaking of business enquiries and contractual negotiations, and attending conferences). These visas will not allow business visitors to perform work.

Persons seeking a visa to enter Australia to engage in short-term, non-ongoing, highly specialised work should apply for the new Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) (Subclass 400) visa or another visa which permits work. The Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) (Subclass 400) visa is an unsponsored visa that will also provide for persons invited to participate in an event such as a sporting competition.

Persons who hold a visa issued before 23 March 2013 will continue to be able to use that visa until it expires.
DIAC will no longer be accepting new applications for the following visas:

• Tourist visa (subclass 676)
• Sponsored family visitor visa (subclass 679)
• Business (short Stay) visa (Subclass 456)
• Sponsored business visitor (short stay) visa (subclass 459)
• Medical Treatment (short stay) visa (subclass 675)
• Medical Treatment (long stay) visa (subclass 685)
• Electronic Travel Authority (visitor) (subclass 976)
• Electronic Travel Authority (business – short validity) (subclass 977)
• Electronic Travel Authority (business – long validity) (subclass 956).

For further information on these changes please go to:
www.immi.gov.au/visas/visitor-visa

Introduction of Visa Evidence Charge/ Label Free arrangements

The Australian Government does not require a person holding a valid Australian visa to have a label in their passport to travel to, enter or remain in Australia.

When you check-in to fly to Australia, airline staff will use your passport to electronically confirm that you have a valid visa to travel to Australia before you board the plane. More information.

When you receive your Australian visa you are issued with a visa grant notice that explains the conditions of the visa including period of validity and entry requirements.

You are advised to carry this visa grant notice for your own reference. It is the traveller's responsibility to confirm other countries' entry, transit or exit requirements before travel to Australia.

Visa holders can still choose to request a label if they need one but a charge of AUD70 (BDT6130) per label will now apply for this service. This cost for a visa label is called the Visa Evidence Charge (VEC).

Visa holders should utilise the Visa label request and payment Form 1405 when requesting a visa label through VFS; requests for a visa label cannot be verbal. If Form 1405 is not submitted, then a request in writing is required. A request for a visa label and payment of the VEC should be requested after a visa has been granted. When the visa holder requests a visa label, there will be an additional service fee.

For more information on applying for a visa label, including exemptions see:

Longer Tourist visas for parents of Australians

From 24 November 2012, parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents will be able to apply for Tourist visas to visit Australia for longer.
For more information please see: http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/whats-new.htm

Changes to Temporary Work Visas From 24 November 2012 the following visa subclasses will no longer be open to new applicants:

* Government Agreement (Subclass 406) visa
* Exchange (Subclass 411) visa
* Foreign Government Agency (Subclass 415) visa
* Visiting Academic (Subclass 419) visa
* Sport (Subclass 421) visa
* Medical Practitioner (Subclass 422) visa
* Media and Film Staff (Subclass 423) visa
* Domestic Worker (Temporary) - Diplomatic or Consular (Subclass 426) visa
* Domestic Worker (Temporary) - Executive (Subclass 427) visa
* Religious Worker (Subclass 428) visa
* Occupational Trainee (Subclass 442) visa
* Professional Development (Subclass 470) visa.

Applicants who were previously eligible for the visas listed above may be eligible for one of the following five visa subclasses:

* Temporary Work (Long Stay Activity) (Subclass 401) visa
* Training and Research (Subclass 402) visa
* Temporary Work (International Relations) (Subclass 403) visa
* Temporary Work (Entertainment (Subclass 420) visa
* Temporary Work (Skilled) (Subclass 457) visa.

There will also be changes from 24 November 2012 to the way the following visas operate:

* Entertainment (Subclass 420) visa
* Business (Long Stay) (Subclass 457) visa.

For more information see: www.immi.gov.au

Change to Client Contact Arrangements

From 3 October 2012 anyone wishing to make an enquiry or have a visa evidenced on a Wednesday will need to make an appointment with the Australian High Commission.

Appointments can be made at immigration.dhaka@dfat.gov.au appointments will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.

Late arrivals may not be able to be catered for and may need to wait until the end of the morning to be served.

Please note that visa evidencing will take 15 working days from 1 October 2012, therefore passports will not be returned on the same day but will have to collected at a later date.

New Client Opening Hours

From 1 August 2012 the DIAC office will be open to clients from 830-1100 on Wednesday.
The DIAC office will no longer see clients on a Thursday.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) in Dhaka makes decisions on most temporary and permanent migration visas.

For detailed information about visas and citizenship services please see the DIAC website.

Changes to the cost of living for Student visa applicants

As of 1 July 2012 changes have been made to the amount of funds which need to be shown for Student visa applicants. Please refer to the following link for information:

http://www.immi.gov.au/students/student-visa-living-costs.htm

Work and Holiday visa for Bangladesh nationals from 31 December 2010

The reciprocal Work and Holiday visa arrangement between Australia and Bangladesh was signed on 8 March 2006, and came into effect on 31 December 2010. Bangladesh nationals who meet the criteria will be able to apply for a Work and Holiday visa to Australia and there will be an annual limit of 100 visas.

Before approaching the High Commission or VFS, you should apply for approval through the Ministry of Home Affairs. If you get that approval, the Ministry will provide you with a letter certifying your suitability to participate in the arrangement. Your details will be checked against the list provided by the Ministry.

Details on how to apply for this approval have been advertised by the Home Ministry in local newspapers. The advertisements provide details on how to lodge an application for Home Ministry approval and a webpage link (www.mha.gov.bd/wahv) which will be open from 10.00 am of 14.6.2011 to 4.00 pm of 16.06.2011 (for 3 days) only.

Once you have the formal approval from the Home Ministry, you should seek information on applying for this visa, see: www.vfs-au.com.bd

IMPORTANT: Biometrics collection

On 5 December 2010, Australia will introduce a new visa application procedure for visa applicants resident in Bangladesh.

Clients making paper-based visa applications with the Australian High Commission, regardless of nationality, will need to provide their fingerprints and a digital facial photograph as part of visa application processing.

Making Visa and Citizenship applications in Bangladesh

The Department of Immigration in Dhaka has a Service Delivery Partner arrangement with VFS Global to provide Australian visa lodgement services. All applications lodged in Bangladesh for Australian visas can be lodged at the Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) in Dhaka and biometrics can be collected at the same time.

The Australian Visa Application Centre in Sylhet is closed from 31 January 2012. From 1 February 2012, all visa applicants will need to attend the Australian Visa Application Centre in Dhaka. The address is:

ZN Tower,
1st Floor, Plot # 2, Road # 8,
Block SW(1),
Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka 1212.

Application forms and document checklists for the most common visa subclasses are also available at VFS-AVAC.

For more information, see: Information sheets

Sending an application by mail

Mailed/couriered applications should only be sent to the Australian High Commission DIRECTLY. They should NOT be sent to the Australian Visa Application Centre (VFS Bangladesh)

Applications lodged directly with the Australian High Commission Visa Office, whether by courier, or by mail should be addressed to: The Visa Office, Australian High Commission, 184 Gulshan Avenue, Gulshan-2, Dhaka 1212 Bangladesh.

Please ensure you have enclosed the appropriate visa charges as a single demand draft from any branch of the Standard Chartered Bank made payable to the ‘Australian High Commission in Bangladesh Taka.

We recommend that any documents or applications are sent with a reputable courier company, not by Bangladesh post.

IMPORTANT: All people, regardless of nationality, lodging paper-based visa applications in Bangladesh will be required to attend an Australian Visa Application Centre in person to provide their biometrics. If you send your application directly to the Australian High Commission, you will still be required to provide your biometrics and by not lodging directly with the AVAC, you may delay the processing of your application.

Applications not lodged in Dhaka

Some applications must be lodged online or by mail to processing centres in Australia. These may be accessed at http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/index.htm

Visa Application Forms and Information

Download visa application forms, information booklets and comprehensive information about visas and citizenship free of charge.

Australian Citizenship

Information about Australian citizenship can be found at the following:
• Citizenship by descent

Family Migration

Family Migration information is available at the DIAC website.

Student Visas

Information on student visas is available on the DIAC website.

Before you apply for a student visa you should read all the relevant information about the visa requirements which apply to your proposed course of study. You should read the information sheet 1160i Applying for a Student Visa and the appropriate Student Visa Information leaflet.

The Australian High Commission cannot give you advice about educational institutions and courses of study in Australia.

You should lodge your student visa application about 3 months before you expect to start your course.

Tourist Visas

In most cases a decision on your application will be ready 10-20 working days after you lodge it, but will take longer if you need to undergo medicals or if we ask for additional information.

Information on tourist visas is available on the DIAC website and VFS Website.

Transit visas

The Transit visa provides for a stay in Australia for up to 72 hours for people who transit through Australia enroute to other countries, including New Zealand if in transit more than 8 hours.

Information is available at VFS Website

Skilled Migration Visas

Further information on skilled migration is available on the DIAC website at:
• Migrating to Australia as a Skilled Person
• Booklet 6, General Skilled Migration

Please note that all General Skilled migration visa applications must be lodged in Australia and are processed in Australia. This office does not process these applications.

Choosing to use a migration agent

If you wish to engage a migration agent, DIAC recommends using an agent registered with the Office of the MARA, or where this is not possible, one that is accredited in your country.

If you suspect your Office of the MARA registered agent is engaging in criminal behaviour, you should advise your local DIAC office. Other complaints about Office of the MARA registered agents can be made at www.mara.com.au

If you wish to use an unregistered agent outside of Australia, make sure you understand what you can reasonably expect from them and know your options if the agent acts incompetently, dishonestly or fraudulently. If you suspect an unregistered migration agent is engaging in criminal behaviour, you should report them to your local law enforcement authority and inform your local DIAC office.

Remember

• You do not need to use a migration agent.
• If you choose to use a migration agent, use one that is registered.
• DIAC recommends you use a migration agent registered in Australia.

Migration Fraud

All visa applicants and potential migrants are requested to be aware of migration scammers and people who may be seeking to take advantage of your circumstances.

An information kit on how you may protect yourself may be found at the following site http://www.immi.gov.au/migration-fraud/

The Maritime Crew Visa (MCV), subclass ZM988 visa scam.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship is warning people of a scam involving the maritime crew visa (MCV).

Unscrupulous operators are charging people large sums of money (the equivalent of several thousand Australian dollars), to allegedly arrange an employment contract and visa for employment on maritime vessels travelling to or working in Australia.

Some MCV visas are automatically granted online. These agents lure gullible clients by showing them what appears to be valid visas on the departmental website. However, where these visas are obtained based on fraudulent claims these are subject to cancellation. These visas allow entry to Australia as a legitimate crew member on a vessel by sea only. An MCV does not permit travel by air to Australia. A separate visa is required for that purpose.

The Australian High Commission is unable to verify employment offers from Australian companies. Job-seekers are strongly advised to verify all job offers using publicly available contact details for the relevant companies. Information on applying for Australian visas is available on the websites www.immi.gov.au and www.bangladesh.embassy.gov.au.

Should you believe that you are the victim of a scam, you should report it to your local police and may wish to report it via the website www.scamwatch.gov.au

Further information on migration fraud, stories of victims, email and internet scams, and how you may obtain help is available on the DIAC website.

Be aware of Migration Fraud

Contact us

• Visa office contact details