"Simpler visas" Reform of Visitor visas from 23 March

Post date: Mar 14, 2013 10:31:2 AM

Yesterday, Minister O'Connor announced a new Visitor visa structure as part of DIAC's "Simpler visas" reform agenda. "Simpler visas" intends to reduce the total number of visa Subclasses by half by 2015.

Subject to final approval of the legislation by the Governor-General, the proposed reforms to Visitor visas will reduce the number of Subclasses from nine to five, and standardise some requirements.

The announcement reads as follows:

From 23 March 2013 the government intends to introduce significant changes to the Visitor and Medical Treatment visas. These changes are subject to the approval of the Governor-General in Council.

We will no longer be accepting new applications for the following visas:

• Tourist visa (subclass 676)

• Sponsored family visitor visa (subclass 679)

• Business (short Stay) visa (Subclass 456)

• Sponsored business visitor (short stay) visa (subclass 459)

• Medical Treatment (short stay) visa (subclass 675)

• Medical Treatment (long stay) visa (subclass 685)

• Electronic Travel Authority (visitor) (subclass 976)

• Electronic Travel Authority (business – short validity) (subclass 977)

• Electronic Travel Authority (business – long validity) (subclass 956).

Applicants who were previously eligible for the visas listed above may be eligible for one of the following five visa subclasses below.

• Temporary work (short stay activity) visa (subclass 400)

• Visitor visa (subclass 600)

• Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)

• Medical Treatment visa (subclass 602)

• eVisitor (subclass 651)

If you are interested in Australian visas, send us an email: info@AlbanoMigration.com for information and advice on which visa best suits your purpose. We offer free initial consultation.