Visa Requirements
(Updated 13 Jan 2009)
The 2009 Sydney Societas Liturgica Congress has been registered with the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship and most participants will be able to apply for a Visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) online.
Under normal circumstances New Zealand and Norfolk Island passport holders will be issued a visa on arrival in Australia unless there are character or health concerns (see: www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/17nz.htm).
There are three main visas applicable to Societas Liturgica Conference participants and these are briefly described below. Detailed information about each is available from the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship Website. Website Link: www.immi.gov.au
Visa 1: ETA (Business Entrant) (Subclass 977) (online application) |
Visa 2: eVisitor(online application for Europeans) |
Visa 3:Business (Short Stay) Visa (Subclass 456)(paper application only) www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/456/ |
N.B. It is recommended that you apply for your visa well in advance (at least 6-8 weeks) of your intended date of travel to Australia. In some cases, applicants may be required to obtain medical or penal clearance as part of the visa application process – this may result in more lengthy processing times.
Visa 1: ETA (Business Entrant) (Subclass 977)
Passport holders from the following countries can apply for ETA (Business Entrant) (Subclass 977) either online or through airlines and local travel agents:
| Brunei |
Canada |
Hong Kong SAR |
Japan |
Malaysia |
Singapore |
South Korea |
USA |
This is a reasonably simple application process and requires no passport label. Family members may apply for ETA (Visitor) (Subclass 976) if passport holders from one of these eligible ETA countries. Other passport holders should see: www.immi.gov.au/visitors/.
Click here for more information: www.eta.immi.gov.au.
Visa 2: eVisitor
This visa is available to passport holders from the European Union and a number of other European countries:
Andorra |
Hungary |
Poland |
Austria |
Iceland |
Portugal |
Belgium |
Ireland |
Romania |
Bulgaria |
Italy |
Republic of San Marino |
Cyprus |
Latvia |
Slovak Republic |
Czech Republic |
Liechtenstein |
Slovenia |
Denmark |
Lithuania |
Spain |
Estonia |
Luxembourg |
Sweden |
Finland |
Malta |
Switzerland |
France |
Monaco |
United Kingdom - British Citizen |
Germany |
The Netherlands |
|
Greece |
Norway |
Vatican City |
eVisitor applications are free, there is no application charge or service fee. This visa does not require a visa label. Conference participants should choose the Business category. Family members may apply for eVisitor if passport holders from one of these eligible eVisitor countries. Family members should choose the Tourism category. Other passport holders should see: www.immi.gov.au/visitors/
Click here for more information: http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/evisitor/
Visa 3: Business (Short Stay) Visa (Subclass 456)
Those who hold passports from countries not included in the above tables would apply for Business (Short Stay) Visa (Subclass 456) at the overseas Australian visa office nearest to their current place of residence. You will be issued with a visa label in your passport. Application forms for presentation at an Australian overseas visa office can be found at: www.eta.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/456.pdf
Eligible family members may be included in this application. Others should see: www.immi.gov.au/visitors/.
Click here for more information: www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/456/
Local Coordinating Committee Assistance
The Local coordinating committee is liaising with the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s, International Event Coordinator Network (IECN) to facilitate these types of Visa applications. Your confirmation of congress registration may be presented with a 456 Business short stay Visa application at the Australian immigration office overseas. The Local coordinating committee may also be of assistance with this. Click here to contact the local committee.
Please note that in order to be granted a visa to visit Australia you must demonstrate that you meet all the legislative requirements for an Australian visa.