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Australia is a dream destination for many travellers. From its lively metropolises to awe-inspiring wilderness wonders and exotic animal species it is easy to be drawn (Down) Under. Despite the popularity, it is not an easy task to get a tourist visa for Australia, as the process requires intense scrutiny. Often due to reasons which could have been avoided, many are even refused. In this blog, we talk about the most significant reasons for Australia’s Tourist Visa being rejected and what one can do to ensure they are not refused.
One of the common challenges, that the Australian Department of Home Affairs has is tracking the movements of those visiting the country and determining if they will return to their home country. If you fail to prove that you have sufficient grounds for your desire to come back the application might be denied. Proof of ties can include:
How to Avoid This: Show official documents, which will help to understand your employment situation, family members or property. Any extenuating circumstance combined with enrollment, last in this list, requires a letter from your institution confirming enrollment and active studies.
The Australian government will need to see proof of financial support for oneself so that you can be able to fend for yourself throughout the time of your stay. They can refuse you a visa if you cannot prove that you have sufficient funds for your stay. The amount required depends on the duration that one is willing to spend, the mode of accommodation and the intended activities during the trip.
How to Avoid This: Original bank statements for the last three to six months evidencing adequate funds to pay for your trip, your stay and your return. In case you are being sponsored, attach your sponsorship letter and the sponsor’s financial documents.
Read: Easiest Way to Migrate to Australia: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2024
One of the main issues encountered by people who apply for a visa is rejection arising from improper filing of documents. This could conceal grounds as simple as not providing some detail on your application form, or as serious as not submitting documents such as a valid passport, travel plans, or proof of lodging.
How to Avoid This: Before applying always ensure that you go through all the details that are required for visas to ensure that the documents that you provide are valid and complete. It is very easy to make simple errors on the form such as wrong dates or other personal information so ensure you make a final check. However, if you are in doubt about any requirement, you should consult a Visa consultant.
If you have offended the visa conditions of Australia or any other country earlier then you have a chance to get a refusal in tourist visa application. Vibrating the terms of previous visas, having a work permit in the country as a tourist or staying beyond the permissible time will attract the notice of the immigration department.
How to Avoid This: Don’t lie about your travel history. In case you have had problems with your visa in the past times, describe them in your application in detail and provide documents proving that those problems are no more. A change in circumstances and behaviour does help.
If you have no travel history or if your travel history looks suspicious (for instance, you apply for a six-month visa but you have not travelled to countries outside Australia for such a long time) the authorities will definitely ask you the reason for visiting the country. An aggressive desire in some people to travel to Australia with no prior travelling experience is questionable.
How to Avoid This: This does not necessarily have to be your first time getting an international trip just ensure you explain why you are choosing Australia to be your first trip. Offer an itinerary: what you are going to do, where you are going to go and how many days/duration you will use. This serves to prove your seriousness of the purpose of your visit as a tourist.
Read: 10 Tips for Successful Tourist Visa Australia Application
Health and character are two other major criteria that Australia pays lots of attention to in visa candidates. If you have a criminal record or any serious medical ailment that might prove to be financially costly for the Australian healthcare system, your visa will not be granted.
How to Avoid This: For medical conditions ensure that you do the necessary checkups and present with the results while applying for the Vietnam visa. It is important to submit the necessary police clearances when applying, and when you have any criminal record you need to explain them. For instance, proof that the candidate has changed or the offence that was committed was just a minor offence tends to work to the candidate’s benefit.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs is very transparent with its process of visa rejection. The immigration officer will give you in writing the reason for the rejection of your visa. You even have the right to review this decision.
If you think that the refusal of your visa was an error, there is a chance to apply for an appeal. You can challenge it with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). The AAT is a merits review body. They can reverse the judgment and send it back to the department for review. The process creates an opportunity to fill in blanks and help the state understand any reasons that got them denied.
The ACCC can also refer to the Federal Court. This process can only deal with questions of law and must be lodged within 35 days from the day that your visa was refused. As such, it is a question that needs to be given serious consideration and legal advice because the whole purpose of this legislation was to underpin all decisions made by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
Read: How To Convert Australia Visitor Visa to a Partner Visa in 2024
You read that right, re-apply for an Australian visa. This is ideal in cases where the Visitor Visa or the eVisitor are one of your common Australian tourist visa rejections. You need to solve the issues that contributed to your rejection to re-apply.
Apply for the Australia Visitor Visa and Australia Student Visa with our help. The visa experts will ensure that your application form is verified, provide you with a customised checklist of the documents needed and stay right by your side.
Also Read: Visitor Visa Refused: How Can I Apply Again?
Obtaining a tourist visa in Australia needs to be done with caution and under detailed planning. It is not rare for reasons of refusal to be accidental or simply oversights, but by following the procedures we discussed above you can significantly increase your chances. Get documentation in order, show proof of intent to return home and be contributing members. When in doubt, a visa consultant Perth can also assist in avoiding any such hitches.