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Label-free Travel for Clients from the Pacific
Label Free Travel
We now issue ‘label-free’ visas to visa applicants from nations in the Pacific region. As a result, most applicants do not get a visa label placed in their passport. Visa details are recorded in the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) computer systems. These details are accessed by the staff of all airlines that fly to Australia via the Advanced Passenger Processing (APP) system at airport check-in counters.
There is no change to our procedures. Clients continue to lodge a visa application with the relevant form, fee and supporting documents. Clients receive their visa details on paper for reference. After arriving in Australia, visa holders can check their label-free visa details by using the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system. They can call 131 881 from within Australia, request a password, then use this at www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/vevo.htm
Initial label-free visa subclasses include 676 Tourist, 456 Business Short Stay, 421 Sport, 428 Religious Worker, 570 - 580 Student, and permanent visas, including 155 Resident Return, 101 Child, 102 Adoption, 114 Aged Dependent Relative, 115 Remaining Relative, 116 Carer, 117 Orphan Relative, 300 Prospective Marriage, and 309 Partner visas.
DIAC already processes and finalises a number of visa types without a visa label for many of our clients around the world. We have liaised extensively with relevant stakeholders including airlines and travel agents to ensure their awareness of this change. For Fiji clients, the Reserve Bank of Fiji has confirmed applicants travelling temporarily to Australia can withdraw funds/be issued foreign exchange without a visa label in their passport. Applicants migrating to Australia will need to show the bank their visa grant letter when applying to transfer emigration funds. Applicants withdrawing FNPF funds (eg students, migrants) will also show the bank their visa grant letter. We will issue grant letters to such applicants.
Should you have any queries regarding this initiative, please email immigration.suva@dfat.gov.au
Protect yourself from Fraud
Once label-free visas are introduced, applicants lodging through a 3rd party should ensure they receive a pink receipt copy as evidence that their application has been lodged. If their visa is refused, they will receive a formal decision letter from the Immigration Section.