Want to Visit Australia in 2024? Here is What You Need to Know About Australia's Visitor Visa
Do you want to visit Australia? Are you having trouble with your visitor visa application? The Department of Home Affairs' latest report on the Visitor Visa Program reveals significant changes in their grant and refusal rates.
What does the latest visitor Visa data reveal?
Since borders reopened and travel restrictions have eased, the number of visitor visa applications has dramatically increased. Countries like China and India have shown a significant increase in both tourism and business-related travel to Australia. In the 2022-2023 program year, over 3.3 million visitor visas were granted. That number has more than doubled from the year before (with approximately 1 million).
What is the visitor Visa refusal rate?
The report highlights the overall approval rate for visitor visas has declined, from 91.6% in 2022 to 85.8% in 2023 (that is over 460,000 visa applications that were refused).
The most common reason for refusal was failing to prove that the visa applicant intended to stay temporarily (otherwise known as the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criteria). This means the department must be convinced that an applicant’s genuine intention is to visit as a temporary visitor and not to remain in Australia beyond the intended travel dates (whether legally or illegally).
When assessing the GTE criteria, the delegate will consider the applicant’s circumstances, the immigration history and any other relevant matters. If the applicant is a minor, the delegate will assess the intentions of a parent, legal guardian or a spouse of the applicant.
The report reveals that the following countries have had the most significant increase in refusal rates since June 2022:
Pakistan
India
Fiji
Indonesia
If you are from one of these countries, you may need to provide more evidence than other applicants.
One might deduce from the nearly 6% decrease that, since the pandemic, the global economy has faced uncertainty, significantly impacting many countries, especially those that are underdeveloped or developing. Political, environmental, and economic instability in an applicant's home country is likely a significant factor for the department when assessing the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criteria.
How to apply for a visitor visa in 2024 successfully and what to do to avoid a refusal?
Given the significant increase in refusal rates for applicants from certain countries, if you are interested in travelling to Australia, it's important to ensure that sufficient evidence is provided to the Department with your application. Gone are the days of merely submitting identity documentation and a letter from an inviting family member or friend and a travel itinerary. You must ensure that you provide the Department with evidence showing your intention to return home which may include:
Employment contracts and leave approvals
Ownership of property or other assets in your home country
Family members back home
Evidence of travel to other countries
What will likely be the trend for visitor visa applications in 2024?
As travel continues to rebound, it's expected that the demand for visitor visas to Australia will remain strong. If you need help preparing your Visitor visa application, please contact us for a consultation. Planning well ahead could save you valuable time and the disappointment of an adverse decision.
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help
At Agape Henry Crux, our Accredited Specialist Immigration Lawyer(s) and our team of immigration lawyers and migration agents are specialised in handling highly complex matters. You may schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or email us at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
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