Frequently Asked Questions
This page was designed to answer your frequently asked questions about Australian visa and your visa application in the Philippines.
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I have not lodged my visa application and I would like further information
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Why am I being asked to undertake a health examination for my Visitor visa application?
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Why am I being asked to submit a health insurance for my Visitor visa application?
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Can I have an extension to provide the documents I have been asked for?
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I have non-migrating dependents overseas - do they need to have a health examination?
1. I have not lodged my visa application and I would like further information
For information on visas processed by our office in Manila and how to apply, please visit our local website: http://philippines.embassy.gov.au/mnla/Visas_and_citizenship.html. Alternatively, you may also visit the department’s website at www.homeaffairs.gov.au.
2. How do I lodge my application?
The departments preferred method of lodgement is online through ImmiAccount.
For more information, please visit: http://philippines.embassy.gov.au/mnla/Where_to_apply2.html
3. What is ImmiAccount?
ImmiAccount is an online system that will let you create, submit, pay for and manage your online visa and Citizenship by Descent applications in one place. It also connects you to other ​online services managed by us, including My Health Declarations, Visa Finder, Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO), and the Pricing Estimator.
To submit your documentation or application online you will need to create or login to your ImmiAccount. If you do not have an account you will be prompted to create one. You may login to your account at any time prepare, track and manage your application.
Important: If you lodge your visa application through ImmiAccount, an electronic file is created allowing you to upload scanned documents. As the application is electronic, there is no facility to attach documents in hard copy to this file. Do not send documents by email or post as it will cause significant delays in the processing of your application.
4. How do I attach documents to my online application?
Information on attaching documents to an online application can be found here, See: Attach Documents to an online application
Important: To assist with reducing delays, please ensure all uploaded images are of good viewing quality.
Please be aware that due to security concerns we are unable to unable to open links to online storage solutions such as DropBox, iCloud or Google Drive. We are also unable to open ZIP files attached to emails or view content on removable media such as USB sticks or DVDs.
A maximum of 60 attachments can be uploaded per applicant, however each attachment can include multiple documents. For example, if providing photographs, you can combine multiple photographs (and/or other documents) into the one attachment (such as a reduced size PDF file). The file size limit for each attachment is 5 MB.
Any documents you wish to provide in support of your online application must be scanned and uploaded to your ImmiAccount. Do not send supporting documentation by email or through the post unless requested to do so, as it will cause significant delays in processing your online application.
You also do not have to send us a separate email to inform us that you have attached the requested documents. We will contact you if we require further information.
Further ImmiAccount assistance, including checking the progress of your application, Technical Support and Frequently Asked Questions can be found at: ImmiAccount
Please note: When providing supporting documentation for your application, it is important to select the most relevant information that best demonstrates your claims. Unfortunately if you reach your limit, you will not be able to upload any further attachments online. Please also be aware that we are unable to delete attachments to allow you to upload more.
If you have reached your attachment limit, please let us know so we can make arrangements for you to provide your documentation.
5.Have you received my application/correspondence?
New applications will be formally acknowledged by mail or email within 7 working days of receipt of the application.
- If you have submitted documents online you should access your ImmiAccount to track your application.
- If you have submitted your documents via email, the auto-reply sent indicates that your email was received through our mailbox. Please note that we do not send acknowledgement of receipt of documents sent by post or email.
6.How long will it take to process my application?
Information about our global visa processing and citizenship processing times is available on our website at, See: Global Visa and Citizenship Processing Times
7.I would like an update on the progress of my application
If you have lodged your application online, please visit your ImmiAccount to track the progress of your application.
For paper-lodged application, we are unable to provide progress update. However, you may refer to our processing times for guidance on how long a visa application would usually be processed by our office. See: Global Visa and Citizenship Processing Times
If we require further information, we will contact you either by phone, by email or by posted mail.
If you were requested to undertake a medical examination, processing may take longer, depending on the outcome of your medical examination. If you have not already undertaken the medical examination, but was requested to undertake one, please do so immediately at any one of our approved panel doctors. You will need to bring your medical examination request with HAP ID and any valid ID or a copy of passport biopage.
When a decision is made on your application, we will also contact you either by phone, email or mail. Please ensure that you have provided us with your correct email or phone details (refer to question no 12 if you have changed your contact details).
If a decision is made on your application, we will also contact you either by phone, by email or by posted mail.
8. Why am I being asked to undertake a health examination for my Visitor visa application?
The Philippines is one of those countries considered as ‘higher TB-risk’. Applicants who request a stay of 6 months or longer will be required to undertake a medical examination , or if they have previously been granted a visa, they have not spent 28 consecutive days or more outside Australia at the time of their latest visa application.
Please visit our website for a list of doctors accredited by the Australian Embassy: See: Panel Doctor
If you are at least 75 years old or have requested a stay period of up to 12 months, you will need to provide a valid health insurance for the intended length of stay. The health insurance must be fully comprehensive; that is, it must provide at least Medicare equivalent cover (if issued by a reputable local insurer) and provide hospital, emergency, general practitioner and pharmaceutical benefits. Please note that PhilHealth insurance is not acceptable for this purpose.
Please see the link for more information: Health Insurance
10. I would like to request priority processing
We aim to be fair and efficient in our approach to allocating cases to assessors for finalisation. Generally, applications are queued for finalisation in date order however we will prioritise cases which evidence "compelling or compassionate" grounds warranting immediate processing. We also prioritise applications which have been remitted to us following successful review at the Migration Review Tribunal or Ministerial Intervention.
If your email has requested prioritisation on the basis of compelling or compassionate circumstances, it has been referred to a manager for assessment as to whether it should be prioritised, and you should receive a separate email response within approximately 2 weeks of your email. Requests for prioritisation should include all information and supporting documentation you consider relevant.
To ensure that your application is processed as quickly as possible, only lodge your application when it is complete. Please undertake health and character checks, and supply us with Form 80. If you have lodged your application but have not yet undertaken health and character checks or completed Form 80 you should do so now and upload your documents to your ImmiAccount or post your documents to us.
- See: Meeting the Health Requirement
- See: Character and police certificate requirements
- Download: Form 80
11. Can I have an extension to provide the documents I have been asked for?
Your email will be transferred to your case officer who will endeavour to respond separately to this request within approximately 2 weeks of your email.
12. I have changed my address or contact details
If your address or contact details have changed, please update them through your ImmiAccount.
If you do not have an ImmiAccount, please complete Form 929 and return it to the office where you lodged your application or if your visa has been granted, to the nearest office of the department.
Form 929 can be found at, Download: Form 929
13.I have had a new passport issued
If you have had a new passport issued, please update your details through your ImmiAccount.
If you do not have an ImmiAccount, please complete Form 929 and return it to the office where you lodged your application or if your visa has been granted, to the nearest office of the department.
Form 929 can be found at, Download: Form 929
14.My circumstances have changed
If your circumstances have changed, please upload or post a completed Form 1022 to us.
Form 1022 can be found at, Download: Form 1022
15.Can I apply for a Visitor visa to Australia during processing of my partner visa?
You may apply for a Visitor visa whilst your partner visa is currently being processed. However, you should ensure that you meet the relevant eligibility requirements for a grant of a Visitor/Tourist visa to Australia. Submission of a partner visa does not guarantee the grant of a Visitor/Tourist visa.
Furthermore, you should ensure that you are able to comply with requests for information for your partner visa application. We are unable to hold off the processing of your partner visa application simply because you are out of the country.
16. How can I check my visa status?
You can check your visa status with Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO). VEVO is a free online service that gives visa holders, employers and other registered organisations access to visa entitlements and status information 24 hours a day.
How do you access VEVO?
Further information on VEVO can be located at: See: VEVO
To access VEVO you need to do two things:
- Provide one of the following:
- Transaction Reference Number (TRN)
- Visa Grant Number
- Visa Evidence Number
- A password.
- Enter your:
- date of birth
- passport number and
- country of issue.
What if I do not have access to the above details?
If you applied for your visa using ImmiAccount you can obtain your TRN or visa grant number from your ImmiAccount. Your visa evidence number is recorded on your visa label (if you have one) in your passport. A password can only be requested from the department.
17.I am outside Australia and do not have a visa to return to await the finalisation of my partner visa application, what can I do?
You may apply for any visa that you consider you might be eligible for at your nearest Australian visa office overseas, however there is no guarantee that your application will be approved and you may not be able to return to Australia to await finalisation of your partner visa application.
In the event that you are refused a visa to return to Australia, you should advise this office of your overseas contact details so that we can contact you once your partner visa application is ready to finalise. If you are assessed as eligible for grant of the partner visa, we will notify you and if appropriate, liaise with the relevant overseas visa office to support grant of a visitor visa permitting you to return to Australia to enable grant of the partner visa. Note we will not support the grant of a visitor visa to permit return to Australia to await processing of your partner visa application.
18.How do I obtain a police clearance?
See: Character and police certificate requirements
Important: If providing an Australian police certificate, please be aware that only a ‘Complete Disclosure’ National Police Certificate issued by the Australian Federal Police is accepted. We will not accept National Police Certificates issued by your state’s police or ‘Standard Disclosure’ certificates.
19.I am a sponsor, why do I need a police check?
Applications lodged before 18 November 2016:
There are two possible reasons:
- The Australian Government wants to ensure that children seeking to enter Australia as dependants on Partner visas are protected from being sponsored by people with convictions for child sex offences or other serious offences which might pose a significant risk to a child in their care.
- Some New Zealand citizen sponsors will be required to undertake character checks depending on information provided in their sponsorship applications.
Applications lodged on or after 18 November 2016:
We take the safety and security of visa applicants very seriously. To help keep visa applicants safe, we have introduced new requirements for Partner and Prospective Marriage visas. From 18 November 2016, sponsors of these visa applications will need to:
- provide Australian and/or foreign police checks when requested
- consent to us disclosing their convictions for relevant offences to the visa applicant(s).
If the sponsor does not provide this consent, the visa application will be refused. We could also refuse an application if the sponsor does not provide the police checks within a reasonable time.
Sponsors can apply for a police check using the application form available from the Australian Federal Police.
For further information on the new requirements see: New sponsor requirements for Partner and Prospective Marriage visa applicants
20.I want to withdraw my sponsorship/support for the application.
If you have emailed withdrawal advice to us, it has been recorded in our systems. Please be aware that:
1. Australian privacy laws prevents us from providing you with further information in relation to the visa application where you have withdrawn your sponsorship/support.
2. Withdrawal of support for the partner visa applicant does not lead to the automatic refusal of that person’s visa application or their automatic removal from Australia. Under migration legislation the applicant may have other grounds for remaining in Australia. Following withdrawal of sponsorship, the applicant is notified of the withdrawal and invited to provide us with information supporting any claim to remain in Australia notwithstanding that withdrawal. As a former sponsor you will not be advised of the outcome of the partner visa application.
21.I want to withdraw my application
If you have emailed withdrawal advice to us, it has been recorded in our systems. Your advice will be passed to the delegate and your application will now be finalised as a withdrawal.
If you have not specified that all dependent applicants have also withdrawn their applications, then the applications will continue to be processed (and will be refused). If you intended to withdraw not only your own but also your dependents’ applications, please confirm this in writing, specifying the names and birth dates of all applicants, by email to this mailbox. Any dependents who are over 18 years must notify us themselves.
Withdrawal of your application may affect your right to remain in Australia, if you do not also hold a substantive visa which permits you to remain or you do not lodge another visa application.
Please note: Applicants who withdraw -
- are not eligible for a refund of the visa application charge simply because the application has been withdrawn
- have no access to merits review
22.I have non-migrating dependents overseas - do they need to have a health examination?
Your non-migrating dependents will need to undertake a health examination, however before they do so, we will need to supply them with a "Health Identifier" letter to take along to their local panel doctor. Your case officer will provide you with this letter when your case is allocated, and you should wait for this letter before referring your non-migrating dependents for medical examination.
Further information on meeting the health requirement , see: See: Meeting the Health Requirement
23.How can I provide feedback?
If you would like to comment on the service that you have received, see: Provide Feedback
The department will use your feedback to improve our services.
24. My application has been refused. I would like to ask for a reconsideration and/or provide additional information.
Decisions on visa applications made by our office are final and the Migration Act precludes us from reviewing decisions made by our office. However, the decision record sent to you should indicate whether our decision is subject to merits review including where and how to submit a review.
Any new information can only be considered in light of a fresh application being submitted.