Visas and migration

Important: The Australian Embassy in Tallinn does not process visa or citizenship applications.

Visa and citizenship information

The Department of Home Affairs provides a website with information about Australian visas and citizenship. This information is available in English.

This website contains comprehensive information about the range of visa products, eligibility, forms, fees and application procedures. For most visa types there are checklists and step-by-step guides to help you make your application. Please visit homeaffairs.gov.au for more information.

 

Digital Passenger Declaration

It is a requirement from the Australian Government that you complete a Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD). The DPD requests critical health information required for entry into Australia. You must be able to provide evidence that the critical information was completed before boarding the aircraft.

You must show airline staff at check-in that you have completed the DPD and provide relevant supporting documentation as evidence. Passengers who do not complete a DPD prior to check-in, may be referred to Australian Border Force Officers on arrival and face unnecessary delays.

The DPD can be completed by downloading the mobile app from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play store (Android), or via a web form.

More information on the DPD can be found on the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website.

 

 

Online-only lodgement for Visitor visa (subclass 600)

The Department of Home Affairs (the Department) is introducing 100 per cent online lodgement for Visitor visas (subclass 600). The changes will be introduced in two phases commencing from September 2021. Following these changes, paper applications will not be accepted as valid for lodgement:

• From 30 September 2021 (phase 1), all applicants applying for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) from outside Australia in any stream must lodge their application online via ImmiAccount. Applicants applying for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) in Australia in the Tourist stream may lodge their application online via ImmiAccount or by posting their application to the Sydney office. The courier option will no longer be available.
• From early 2022 (phase 2), all applicants applying for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) in Australia in the Tourist stream must lodge their application online via ImmiAccount.

 How can I apply for a Visitor visa online?

ImmiAccount is an online service that provides a simple, efficient and convenient way to apply for a visa. You can create an ImmiAccount, select the visa type you want to apply for, attach documents, submit family applications together and pay the application fee online at https://online.immi.gov.au

You can also get help from a family member, friend or migration agent to submit your application if required.

Australian Visa Application Centres outside Australia may also offer assisted online lodgement services, depending on local country arrangements.

 

Where can I get additional information?

Information about these changes will be updated on the Department’s website for each Visitor visa (subclass 600) stream page. A list of all streams is at:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/visitor-600

Information and guidance about applying online and using ImmiAccount is available on the Department’s website at:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/applying-online-or-on-paper/online

 

Applying for Australian Citizenship by Descent

You may be eligible for Australian citizenship by descent if you were born outside Australia and one (or both) of your parents at the time of your birth was also an Australian citizen at that time. Check your eligibility before you apply.

Apply online through ImmiAccount. More information about how to apply is available on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Information about processing times is also available on the Department of Home Affairs website.

 

Applying for Evidence of Australian citizenship

An Australian citizenship certificate is an official document that shows that a person is an Australian citizen. If you meet requirements, you can get a certificate, or replace one that has been lost, destroyed or damaged. Check your eligibility before you apply.

Apply online through ImmiAccount. More information about how to apply is available on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Information about processing times is also available on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Current application charges 

The application charges may change bi-annually on 1 January and 1 July.

Visa and Citizenship Applications

For comprehensive information about visa application charges for all types of visas and citizenship applications, please visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.

To see visa application charges, please click here.

To see citizenship fees, please click here.

 

How long will it take to process my application?

You should not book flights or make travel commitments until you have a visa to travel to Australia. The Department will not be liable for any financial loss incurred by clients whose visa application was finalised later than expected or unsuccessful.

You can view current global visa and citizenship processing times for most visa subclasses and citizenship types. To view current processing times, see the product page for the specific visa subclass or citizenship type you are applying for. You can navigate to any product from Individuals and Travellers or Visa Support. On the product page, two processing times will be displayed, indicating how long it takes to finalise 75 and 90 per cent of all applications submitted globally.

Processing times apply from the date your complete application is lodged.

You can also use the Visa Finder to compare processing times for up to three different products.

Please note that applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and that actual processing times may vary due to individual circumstances including:

• whether the applicant has lodged a complete application including all necessary supporting documents
• how promptly the applicant responds to any requests for additional information
• how long it takes to perform required checks
• how long it takes to receive additional information from external parties, particularly in relation to health, character, national security, and Assurance of Support requirements
• the number of places available in the migration programme (for permanent migration visas)
• surges in demand and peak periods

To ensure your application falls within the published processing times, we strongly encourage you to submit complete applications. The checklists provided on ImmiAccount will assist in making sure you have included all required documents during the application process.

 

Contacting the Global Service Centre

Before you contact us, you should visit the department's website, which has comprehensive information and streamlined online lodgement tools: www.homeaffairs.gov.au.

We also have a list of FAQs which answer a number of common enquiries, please click here for more information.  If you still have further questions or require more information and:

• you are calling from the Americas or Europe please call our Global Service Centre (GSC) located in Australia on +61 2 61960196, Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm local time in your country. If calling from a landline please make sure you use your international dialling code (IDD), country code and the GSC number. Embassy and High Commission staff in these locations will direct you to the same service
• you are outside Europe or the Americas, check our list of locations for our overseas offices