VISAS
When planning your trip to QMSKI 2024, please check your visa requirements and be wary of the time that it takes to obtain an Australian travel visa. If you require a visa letter from the conference you can download this once you have a confirmed and fully paid for registration.
Please refer to the link below for more information, guidelines, and requirements:
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT - DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS
Participants, attendees and speakers that will not be working, performing or otherwise be paid to contribute at the event may be eligible to apply for the following visa options:
Eligibility for an eVisitor visa and ETA will be determined by the country of passport that the applicant holds.
Visitor (subclass 600)(Business stream) visa.
For more information see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/visitor-600/business-visitor-stream
Electronic Travel Authority – ETA (subclass 601).
For eligible passport holders and more information see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601
eVisitor (subclass 651)(Business Stream) visa.
For eligible passport holders and more information see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/evisitor-651
A speaker, presenter, exhibitor, or other contributor invited to participate in an event by an Australian organisation may be eligible to apply for a:
Temporary Activity (subclass 408)(Invited Participant) visa.
For more information see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-activity-408/invited-for-other-social-and-cultural-activity
Please note that a the letter of support from an Australian organisation is a legislative requirement for the Temporary Activity (subclass 408)(Invited Participant) visa.
Attendees, speakers and exhibitors that will be working, or otherwise be paid to contribute at the event may be eligible to apply for one of the following visa options:
Temporary Activity (subclass 408)(Invited Participant) visa (where there is an inviting Australian organisation).
For more information see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-activity-408/invited-for-other-social-and-cultural-activity
Please note that a the letter of support from an Australian organisation is a legislative requirement for the Temporary Activity (subclass 408)(Invited Participant) visa.
Temporary Work (subclass 400)(Short Stay Specialist) visa (where there is no inviting Australian organisation).
For more information see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-work-400
NB: These are the visa options available presently but the Department reserves the right to change regulations. IECN assistance will NOT guarantee a visa grant. Visa applicants must demonstrate that they meet all the legislative requirements for an Australian visa.
Visa applicants outside of Australia will need to provide biometrics when they apply for a visa that is part of the Australian biometrics program, or where they are from a country, or located in a country at time of application that is part of the Australian biometrics program.
For information regarding Australia’s biometric program including visas and countries that are part of the program, please see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/biometrics
Visa Application Process and Processing Times:
Visa applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and actual processing times can vary due to individual circumstances including:
whether the applicant has lodged a complete application, including all necessary supporting documents and paid associated visa application charges
how promptly the applicant responds to any requests for additional information
how long it takes to perform required checks on the supporting information provided
how long it takes to receive information from external agencies, particularly in relation to health, character, and national security requirements
when the application is lodged taking the current global visa processing times into account
Processing times are impacted each month by cases that are complex, changes to volume of applications and changes to Ministerial Directions. More information about visa processing times please see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/overview. For this reason, we would advise that visa applications be lodged at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to a person’s intended date of travel.
Visitor (subclass 600) Business visa applicants should include as much information as possible to support their visa applications (see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/visitor-600/business-visitor-stream#HowTo). In addition, visa applicants should include the following information:
evidence of any international travel outside of their own country (for example, copies of visas and passport pages containing entry and departure stamps)
information and evidence of attendance at similar events of this type/nature.
NB: IECN assistance will NOT guarantee a visa grant. Visa applicants must demonstrate that they meet all the legislative requirements for an Australian visa.
To assist timely processing by Australia's visa offices overseas, you can complete the attached bio-data collection sheet as event participants are invited to your event and email it to: iecn@homeaffairs.gov.au
NB: In accordance with Australia's Privacy Act 1988, any information an event organiser or participant provides to the IECN will only be used to facilitate visa processing with the relevant Australian visa office overseas.
Travellers should familiarise themselves with Australia’s border and entry requirements. For further information, see ‘Entering and leaving Australia’ at: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/covid19/entering-and-leaving-australia
Please feel free to contact the IECN team if you need any further assistance or to discuss our service in more detail. For further information regarding the International Event Coordinator Network (IECN) please see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/bringing-someone/bringing-for-activities.