There’s a better way to apply Australian Visa in the Philippines, click this picture to be redirected to my new blog post on

how to apply australia visa online

Australian visa is one of the easiest visas to apply for, based on all my visa application experiences. The VSF Global website is really straight forward that I don’t really need to make a blog post of this, but I am going to anyway. So here you go, process to apply Australian Visa for Philippines Passport holders.

I like it that you submit only photocopies of requirements, even passport. They also do not have silly requirements such as the need for detailed trip itineraries, hotel reservations, insurances (although I encourage having travel insurance).

The Australian visa is electronic and will be emailed to you. You don’t get a sticker on your passport as with Schengen visa, UK visa, Chines visa, etc. But you do need to print out your visa in case they look for it in your city of departure.

I wish Australia would issue 5-10 years multiple-entry visas like Japan Visa, Korea, and the United States. With frequent airline sale, and that I have so many friends in Australia and that it’s huge, I don’t mind going back often. Because while the application is hassle-free, the Australian Visa fee of 4,900 pesos is quite steep!

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Actually 4 Steps to get an Australian Visa

 

Step 1 – Fill out Application Form (Tourist Visa) + Photo

There are about a million types of visas to go to Australia, but as usual, I will only deal with Tourist Visa. And to save you time swimming thought the million forms, here it is –> Australia Tourist Visa Form 1419.  Prepare and paste 1 passport size photo (35mm x45mm) to the application form

 

Step 2 – Prepare your Requirements and Supporting Documents

  1. Passport: your passport must have at least 6 months validity from the intended date of entry to Australia. Photocopy ALL pages with content. This means photo page, amendments, endorsements, visas, entry/exit stamps.

 

  1. Financial Document such:
    1. Copies of your bank deposit books showing your history of savings or salary
    2. Copies of bank statements or payslips over a period of time
    3. Credit card statements and limits
    4. Letter of support from Australian contact with evidence of financial capability

Note: If you can provide 1-3, then please do so. The more document you have, the better. If you don’t have all of them, then just prepare what you have. Let’s hope it is enough! If you don’t have your own financial papers, then a guarantee letter of support from your Australian contact.

  1. Other Supporting Document, when applicable:
    1. Purpose of Travel (ie: attending wedding, convention, festival, concert, etc.)
    2. Invitation letter from Australian contact with copy of their ID or passport

You can download the >> document checklist




Step 3 – Prepare Payment

There will be 2 fees involve in the application of Australian visas.

  1. Manager’s Cheque

of Php5,900 (as of today, July 2018) payable to “Australian Embassy”. Other forms of visa fee payment and payee will not be accepted.

  1. VFS Global Logistic Service charge per passport, payable in cash
    Php 659 per applicant for Regular visa application as the main applicant
    Php 460 per applicant for dependent applicant or resubmission.

Step 4 – Call for Appointment

Schedule your appointment >> online.  Choose “visitor” and follow the direction. You can also walk-in to submit your application, but why would you do that? You will not be prioritised and would have to wait for all those who have appointment to be finished. So just go and schedule it.

On the day of the appointment, arrive about 30minutes before, and once you’ve submitted your application, you’re done. You just wait for your visa through your email. That’s it. Easy peasy!

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Alternative to Step 4 – Send Document via Courier (2GO)

This is good news to Filipinos not in Manila or Cebu. You can send your application by courier. Note that if you are from Manila or Cebu, you can do this too.

Please be reminded that you need to make sure you have complete requirements before booking for pick-up. Incomplete requirement will cost you more courier fee to resend, or may be visa denied outright.




VFS Global Service Fee
By Courier- VFS Global Service charge shall be paid in the form of a Manager’s cheque in Philippine Peso (Php629 or 440; refer to Step 3) payable to VFS Services Philippines Private Inc.

 

Courier Fee
On top of the Visa fee, VFS Service fee, you’ll have to pay for the courier fee of PHP 600 for Two-way courier service (pick-up and return of your documents). BUT since the document submitted are all copies only (non original), you probably don’t need them to be returned to you. If this is the case, you can just book for One-way courier service at PHP380. I submitted my requirement and didn’t get them back.

**Should you wish to avail of the SMS service in order to receive real time updates via email & SMS messaging on your application, you may include the SMS fee of PHP 110 along with the Manager’s Cheque for the service fee payment. Although I don’t recommend this, just added cost.

Enclose all above documents in a sealed long brown envelope ready for pick-up by courier.

  • Metro Manila Addresses will be scheduled for pick-up within 1 to 3 days.
  • Provincial Addresses located along the main roads shall be scheduled for pick-up within 3-5 days.
  • For those who are located in the identified “Out of Courier Serviceable” and “Critical Areas”, applicants has to bring their documents to the nearest 2GO Express branch.

Important: Please note that once you have secured a confirmed collection of your application/documents with reference number at the time of courier collection and for any reason your documents are not ready or any unavoidable circumstance arises and you were unable to cancel your courier booking before the scheduled pick-up of within 24 hours for Metro Manila; 48 hours for Provincial collection, you will be charged an additional One-way courier service fee of PHP 380

 

When you’re ready to book for pick-up
Call Centre at +632 790 4900, Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Email at info.auph@vfshelpline.com


VFS Global Services Philippines Private Inc., Addresses:

MANILA
Mezzanine Floor Unit M01, Ecoplaza Building,
2305 Chino Roces Avenue Extension Makati City, Metro Manila 1231

CEBU
9th Floor, Keppel Center, Unit 905, Samar Loop
cor. Cardinal Rosales Avenue,
Cebu Business Park, Cebu City 6000

 

Other Visa Posts

How to Apply New Zealand Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply Chinese Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply UK Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply Tongan Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply Korean Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply South African Visa in the Philippines
How to Apply Schengen Visa in the Philippines