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[piglet]

Hi all
this may be a ridiculous question but if I wanted to fly to Australia this June how could I get a tourist visa? I understand I am not eligible to get one online,so that means I have to hie me to Shanghai,right? How long does it take to process said item?
thanks
 

[George]

Why are you not eligible to apply online? How long it takes depends on who you are, where you are from, and how suspicious you look!!

[Nolefan]

I've just gone through the process a few months ago in Beijing. You get the documents required, drop them off at the embassy and get your passport back with a visa 2 weeks later.

I believe they strongly encourage people to do the whole thing via post instead of showing up in person. Contact the embassy/consulate and see what they recommend in your case.

[piglet]

I can apply online but hubby can't cos his passport is a non approved country -there is a list on the website.

[xwarrior]

Going by their website they would prefer visa applications by mail - EMS:

" We prefer that Visitor applications are lodged with us by mail. Please send your application form, passport and supporting documentation by EMS to the relevant office. Postal addresses for our offices in China are listed on the Contact Us page."

The application should be sent to the Shanghai office:

"Applicants living in the following provinces should apply at the Australian Consulate General in Shanghai:
•      Shanghai, Chongqing, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shandong, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Henan, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang and T."

http://www.china.embassy.gov.au/bjng/DIMA03020103.html

It should take 5 working days to process but allow for mailing time and other 'events':
"1. How long before my intended travel date should I lodge my application?

The average processing time for complete applications lodged in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai is 5 working days from the day we receive your application. You should also allow for the time it takes your passport to be returned to you by EMS or SF Express. You should not make travel plans or purchase tickets in the expectation that you will receive a visa within the average processing time.
We recommend that you apply well before your intended travel date. However, certain situations may also result in your application taking longer than the average processing time such as:

• medical checks have not been completed,
• incomplete applications being submitted,
• waiting for postal order payments to clear,
• additional checks, or information being required, or character issues requiring further assessment."

http://www.china.embassy.gov.au/bjng/DIAC211209.html

 
"

 

[Borkya]

You guys need a visa to visit australia?! (Says the american passport holder.)

Piglet, you don't do you? You're british!

[adamsmith]

oz is strange. they require visas for almost everyone. 

[xwarrior]

oz is strange. they require visas for almost everyone. 

From what I could determine they even require their 'citizens', who have been out of Australia for more than 5 years, to apply for a visa to get back in to the country.

 

[piglet]

Yeah they are scared that everyone wants to stay there and they may well be right

[Granny Mae]

Which state are you going to visit? It will be cold in June.

[jpd01]

Everywhere requires everyone that is a non citizen to have a visa for travel or business. Most other countries will allow you to fly in and get a visa on entry.
Australia will just ask you to apply in most cases for an electronic visa (no sticker in your passport) Just like registering before entry depending on where your citizenship is from.
Where is your husband from?
Here is the link to the website:
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/visa-options.htm

Some nationalities can apply online and a selected few can get their Evisa at a travel agency. It's not an application as such but more like registering before departure.
Just click on one option and go to eligibility  like this:
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/976/eligibility.htm
and check out which particular one needs to be applied.

[piglet]

thanks jpd you are right-email from embassy confirms I can apply online but hubby can't