Australian Visa Application Process & Requirements for Nigerians

If you are interested in getting an Australian Visa from Nigeria, then you are at your last stop, because we have made a thorough research and compilation of the whole process and requirements.

Australia, which is also referred to as the commonwealth of Australia, is on the continent of Australia. It is known for its large mass area which makes it seat as the 6^th largest country by land size on earth.

The most widely spoken language is the Australian English, which makes it a haven for tourists and visitors alike.

The country boasts of over 9,000 beaches, a fast-rising economy and the unemployment rate is at the barest minimum.

READ MORE: Australian Visa Lottery

Types of Australian Visa

There are different types of Australian visas and we will be outlining them below here for you now. We have also included the processing time and validity period for each of the respective visas you can apply for.

Cost of Australian Visa in Nigeria

The Australia visa cost in Nigeria is not completely set in stone as this varies with time, but we have been avble to come up with ideal figures to put you in perspective.

Australian Visa Requirements for Nigerians

Persons who want to get visas to Australia must first meet the Australian character requirements. You must prove that they have no criminal records for at least a year. You might also have to provide a police certificate to support your claim.

Australian Visa Application Process & Requirements for Nigerians

Apart from the Australian character requirements, there are certain important documents that would be needful in order to apply for an Australian visa. They include:

• An Australian visa application form.
• An International Passport or travel document valid for at least 6 months after the expiry of your visa.
  N: B:  Your passport must have at least two unused page for entry/departure visa endorsements. 
• A proof of the Australia visa application fee payment (An original receipt).
• A 29mmx34mm, colored passport with white background.
• Financial documents to provide that you can financially sustain yourself in Australia.
  These documents might include– six-month bank statements- proof of earnings or the financial document of a guardian in Australia that has sufficient resources to financially support you.
• Letter of Introduction
• Marriage certificate
• Children birth certificate (if any)
• Proof of ownership
• Family pictures
• Tax clearance

Most of the documents cut across all the different types of Australian Visas. Original documents are mandatory for your application. Additional documents vary per visa type.

This are the basic requirements for Australian visa for Nigerians:

• Business Visa Checklist
• Student Visa Checklist

The following documents are required for an Australian Visitor Visa application:

• A completed and signed Form 1419 – application for visitor visa.
• A certified copy of your passport – showing the photo and personal details, and other pages which prove travel to any other countries
• 1 x passport photograph (45mm x 35 mm) – not older than six months.
• The Visa Application Fee (cash or proof of payment for online application)
• A completed Form 1257 – Undertaking declaration for applicants under the legal age of 18.
• A completed Form 1229 – Consent to grant an Australian visa to a child under 18 years of age, travelling alone or without one or both parents or legal guardian (if applicable).
• If you wish for another person to receive all written communications about your Australian visitor visa application with the Department:
  • Completed Part K – Options for receiving written communications
  • Form 956: Advice by a migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance
  • Form 956A: Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
• Proof of access to sufficient funds to support your stay (payslips, recent bank statements, credit card limit or taxation records)
• Evidence of your medical or travel insurance (if requested)
• A letter confirming your leave – from your employer.
• Proof of enrolment at school or university
• A letter of invitation to visit – if you’re visiting a family member in Australia
• Proof of incentive and authority to show your intention to return to your country of residence – property or other significant assets in your home country.
• After lodging your application, attach the payment receipt to the application form.

Ensure that you do not provide original documents unless it is requested. Always make sure to send certified copies of all original documentation. All documents that are not in English should be accompanied by accredited English translations.

Australian Visa Health Requirements

Nigerian visa applicants are required to meet certain health standards. You will have to undergo a health examination which will be assessed and will determine the outcome of your visa application. Find out more about the health examination on the DIBP’s website.

• Polio vaccination certificate
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate

Australian Visa Types

Australian visas have the conventional categories, enlisting the available Australian visa types. These categories include the short-term visas and the work visas.

We’ve taken out time to compile useful information about these visa types so that you have all you need to know and make a seamless choice. Find them below:

Short-Term Visas

These are visas issued for a short period of time, conventionally between three to six months. They are also usually issued to visitors, tourist, individuals traveling for businesses, and those traveling through Australia. They include the following:

• Visitor’s Visa: This lets you into Australia, for visits, business purposes for up to three, six or twelve months. It should be noted that you aren’t allowed to use this visa for work purposes, as there is a different visa for that.
• Transit Visa
• Electronic Travel Authority: This is issued for short-term visits for tourism or business purposes, but is only available to passport holders from certain countries, location, or region. Most of the electronic travel authority visas are issued online between the Australian Department of Immigration and travel agents, airlines, or specialist service providers.
• eVisitor: This is a free visa if you are an eligible passport holder outside Australia, and you wish to work in Australia or visit for business or tourism.

Work Visas

This is predominately for individuals who have a particular skill set in high demand in Australia, and the Australian Government or a key employer is willing to have you come over. To be eligible for this, then you must do the following:

• Apply for a skill select visa: Here, skilled workers and business people interested in migrating to Australia are been considered for a skilled visa by the applicant submitting an “Expression of Interest” (EOI) through skill select. An EOI is an indication that you would like to be considered for a skilled visa. It is not to be mistaken for a visa application.
• You can apply for a temporary work (skilled) visa. Applying for this indicates that you wish to travel to Australia to work in a nominated occupation for an approved employer for up to ten years.

The types mentioned above are further subdivided into categories and specifications. To access other Australia visa types and their requirements, visit the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.

Australian Visa Application Process

The payment for your Australian visa application is to be made at a TLScontact Visa Application Centre if you’re applying offline.

There are two costs incurred namely, the visa application charges (collected on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs) and the application service fee (services rendered by TLScontact).

Visa applicants lodging online applications through ImmiAccount can make an online payment. There are various payment online methods to follow: how to pay

Please note that Naira values are subject to the Australian Dollar to Naira exchange rate.

TLScontact Service Fee

The service fees are in addition to the Australian visa application charges.

Where to Apply for Australian Visa

All Nigerian citizens applying for an Australian visa are strongly advised to do their visa application online. Simply create an online account known as ImmiAccount. This allows applicants to manage their visa application online.

For Nigerian citizens who are unable to lodge an online application, the alternative is applying in person at a TLScontact Australian Visa Application Centre in Abuja or Lagos.

What does the Visa Process Involve?

Online:

• Create an ImmiAccount, all online forms must be filled correctly
• Update your passport details
• Scan all required certified documents
• Attach the scanned copies to your online application when prompted
• Submit all the documents along with your online Australian visa application.
• You will then have to conduct your biometric information at a visa application centre: TLScontact in Abuja or Lagos.

Your Australian visa application payment can be made by card, Paypal or BPAY. A surcharge may apply if you’re going to make an online payment or by card.

All additional documentation should be uploaded into ImmiAccount. You’ll be issued a Transaction Reference Number (TRN) after you’ve made your online application. The TRN is required to communicate with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

Offline:

• Proceed to download Form 1419. This important form must be signed and dated.
• To go ahead with your Australia visa application, you will need to book an appointment at the Australia Visa Application Centre – TLScontact. Bookings can be made on the website.
• Once at the Visa Application Centre, submit your application form (Form 1419), certified documents and biometrics information.
• Pay the necessary fees at the Visa Application Centre’s cash centre. Only cash will be accepted.
• Finally, register your biometric data and fingerprints.

Please note, all Nigerian citizens visa applications are processed at the Australian High Commission in Pretoria. To check up on your visa application, you can contact the Australia High Commission in Pretoria via email: pretoria@immi.gov.au

Australian Visa Application Centers in Nigeria

Abuja

There is parking available at the entrance of the TLScontact Visa Application Centre. Taxis are also available to transport you to the Visa Application Centre in Abuja.

Lagos

You can find parking in the complex where the Visa Application Centre is situated. Buses, taxis and motorbike taxis are the means of public transport available in Lagos to transport you to the Visa Application Centre.

How to book an appointment for Australian Visa

Bookings are made on the TLScontact Visa Application Centre’s website. It is possible to book an appointment for the following day. However, keep into consideration that the appointment availability might change during high season.

Address and Location of Australian Embassy in Nigeria

Address: Embassy of Australia, Abuja. 5th Floor, Oakland Centre 48 Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama, Abuja Nigeria
Telephone: (09) 461.2780, +234.9.461.2780
 Fax: (09) 461.2782, +234.9.461.2782

Australian Visa | FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions

This is a compilation of questions people ask in regard to getting their Australian visas:

How and Where do I Pay My Australian Visa Fees?

Payments of the visa fees can be made in cash at the Visa application center. They could also be paid at the bank through the immiAccount using Credit cards.

Once payments are made, applicants should collect a receipt as it is the only proof that payment was made.

How do I Submit an Australian Visa Application?

After the Australian visa form has been duly filled, it should be submitted at a visa application center alongside all the supporting documents. Missing or inappropriate documents might ruin an application.

How Long Does It Take to Process an Australian Visa?

If an applicant properly follows the due Australian visa application process, it might take about 4 weeks to process the visa.

How can I Track My Visa?

Once the application process is done, every applicant is issued a Transaction Reference Number (TRN). Applicants can track the status of their Australian visa process with this unique number.

How do I Collect My Australian Visa?

Applicants who have been granted visas would receive notifications via email. Depending on what means was earlier specified by the applicants, visa documents could be returned via courier service.For the purpose of Nigerians, or other Nationals living in Nigeria, the following Australian Embassies are the go-to centers for your interviews and other inquiries.

If you do not live in Nigeria, you can visit the nearest Embassy in your location.