Under normal circumstances, you must lodge an application for a Transit Visa (Subclass 771) to allow you to transit through Australia and stay for up to 72 hours before catching your flight. However, you need not apply for 771 visa if you already hold a valid visa in Australia or are eligible to Transit Without a Visa (TWOV).
Eligibility for Subclass 771 Visa
- You must leave Australia within 72 hours.
- You must meet health and character requirements
- You must have adequate health insurance.
- You must be outside Australia at the time of visa application and at the time of decision on your application
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But nothing is normal about this COVID-19 situation!
Due to travel restrictions, both international and domestic, in response to Covid-19 the Government requires that all passengers transiting through Australia must also seek a travel restriction exemption from the Commissioner of the ABF (Australian Border Force) to be allowed to do so. The application for such exemption must be made online through the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) enquiry form on the Department’s website. You must fill the form with required details such as purpose of transiting through Australia, intended travel date, arrival and departure flight details, list of countries visited in last 14 days, your personal information and passport details. If you do not seek an exemption, you will not be allowed to transit through Australia.
Further, if you are unable to depart from Australia on the same day (8 hours) as your arrival, irrespective of the Commissioner’s exemption, you may have to undergo isolation in the designated facilities of respective States or Territories to meet their isolation requirements. It is then the prerogative of respective States or Territories to consider granting exemption from their mandatory isolation requirements.
Exemption for New Zealanders and Pacific Islanders
New Zealanders and Pacific Islanders (citizen of a Pacific Island Forum country, Timor Leste citizen or resident of New Caledonia or French Polynesia) transiting through Australia DO NOT need to apply for a transit exemption if:
- Your transit though Australia is on your way to or from New Zealand or a Pacific Island Forum Country, and
- Your booked flight is departing from Australia within 72 hours of your arrival, and
- Your outbound connecting flight is departing from the same state or territory of Australia as your arrival flight.
If your connecting flight requires you to be in Australia for more than 72 hours of your arrival, you must also apply for an exemption to the ABF Commissioner. This exemption application must be made online through the Department’s website.
Thus, it is in your best interest to transit through Australia on the same day, holding a valid visa and a travel restriction exemption, wherever required. Also know that there is no visa application charge for lodging a 771 visa application.
If you are seeking assistance to transit through Australia or need help in applying for travel restriction exemption, Contact Us today or call us on (02) 4626 100 to speak to one of our Registered Migration Agents who can help you with your situation.
