MEDIA RELEASE
7 November 2008
For immediate release
TRAVELLERS TO AUSTRALIA REMINDED TO GET IN VISA APPLICATIONS SOON FOR HOLIDAY PERIOD
With the Christmas and New Year holiday season fast approaching, the Australian High Commission today reminded those planning to visit Australia to apply for visas well in advance of their intended travel date. People intending to travel for Christmas should apply to at the High Commission visa office before 28 November, the deadline for visa applications.
Additionally, students planning to study in Australia next year are recommended to lodge applications at least 16 weeks before classes start. Sporting groups need to lodge at least four weeks before travel and should only book airline tickets once their visas have been issued.
“Australia welcomes people travelling to Australia for holidays, business, sporting events or study. The holiday season is the busiest time of year for Papua New Guineans visiting Australia. The Australia High Commission wants anyone visiting Australia to find it as easy as possible to do so – so it’s important to apply early,” said Senior Immigration Officer Mr Peter Harris.
“Unfortunately, the Australian High Commission cannot guarantee that visitor applications lodged after 28 November will be finalised before Christmas. Applicants need to make sure they always complete every section of their application to ensure we can process them as quickly and easily as possible,” he said.
“People living outside Port Moresby and those who are required to undertake medicals or to provide other supporting documentation need to contact the visa office well before their intended travel date. Lodging visa applications well in advance and with full documentation will ensure prompt processing and avoid delays. Applications can be lodged without a passport but the application cannot be finalised until a current passport is presented,” Mr Harris added.
The Port Moresby Visa Office handles more than 14,000 visa applications each year with more than 100 people applying for a visa or making an enquiry to the office each day. Each year, more than 700 Papua New Guineans take the opportunity to study in Australia.
The High Commission’s visa office is open from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Monday to Friday. Details of current application fees and other information are available by calling the High Commission on 325-9333 and following the prompts on the telephone service or by contacting [email protected]. Information on visa requirements and application forms are available online at www.immi.gov.au or www.png.highcommission.gov.au.
Media Inquiries: Francina Thomson, Public Diplomacy Officer, T: 325 9333 ext 276, Email: [email protected]