Melbourne, December 8: The Australian High Commission in New Delhi has stated that visa applicants belonging to India would be allowed to use the Priority Consideration Service – a fast track mode for an additional fee.

Majority of fast-track applications is expected to be finalised within 48 hours of being received by the Australian High Commission.

The Priority – Fast Track service will cost an additional fee of AU $1000 – INR 53,100, in addition to normal visa application charge of AU $135.

The service which started from December 5, will allow applicants of Subclass 600 Visitor visas, in both Tourist and Business categories, to avail the optional facility.

Select Australian Visa Application Centres (AVAC) located in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Chandigarh, Cochin, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai South, Mumbai North, New Delhi and Pune will provide this fast track service.

The priority service is available to Indian passport holders living in India and are able to lodge a Subclass 600 Visitor visa application at one of the AVACs in India.

Usual requirements including legal, health, character and security, as set out in migration legislation, must be met for application and granting of a visitor visa.

However, the fast track fee is refundable if visa application status is not determined within expected 48 hours or if the visa application is refused.

Thus, the DIBP does not recommend the service for applicants who have known health or character issues or an adverse immigration history, all of which may require further assessment.

To file for a subclass 600 visa, Form 1419 – tourist stream; and Form 1415 – business visitor stream, along with Form 1472 agreeing to the terms of the fast track service, has to be submitted at the AVACs.

Tracking visa application status can be done through VFS Global website.

However, processing periods can vary throughout the year and it is regularly updated on the website of the Australian High Commission in India

Shalini Singh

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