While India and Australia are two countries with a long-standing friendship, this may not always be the case. In 2003, for example, Australian Prime Minister John Howard introduced a new set of rules for living in Australia that would change the way many Indians viewed their birthplace. INDIAN VISA PORTS OF EXIT
What is the New Exit Visa Fee?
The Australian government has announced that they will be charging an exit visa fee for Indian citizens traveling to Australia. This fee is set to increase from the current $330 to $540 starting on October 1st, 2017. This increase in cost may have significant implications for people from India who are looking to travel to Australia.
Indian citizens are already facing high costs when traveling to Australia, and this increase in the exit visa fee will make it even more difficult for them to afford a trip. The increased cost could also discourage people from traveling to Australia, which would have a negative impact on the tourism industry in Australia.
The Australian government has justified the increase in the exit visa fee by citing increased security concerns as justification. However, many Indians living in Australia argue that the increased security concerns are fake and are instead motivated by fear of competition from China. Regardless of the reasons behind the increase, it will have a significant impact on people from India who want to travel toAustralia.
How to Obtain a Visa?
As of September 1, 2017, Indian citizens who are travelling to Australia will need to pay an additional $AUD100 visa fee. This new fee is in addition to the current visa application fee of A$85. Indian citizens who are travelling for business or tourism purposes will not be affected by this change. INDIAN VISA FOR AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS
According to the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP), the increased visa fee is intended “to help offset the cost of processing applications.” The DIBP added that “the increase does not affect tourist visas.” Indian citizens who require a tourist visa should still apply through the normal channels.
The change has been met with mixed reactions online. Some people believe that it is unfair that Indians have to pay more for visas when other countries do not have to pay such fees. Others feel that it is necessary because of the high number of visa applications from India.
Is it More Difficult to Obtain a Visa Now?
Yes, obtaining a visa to travel to Australia has become more difficult for Indian citizens in the past few years. New exit visa fees announced by the Australian government on January 17, 2019 will make it even more expensive and time-consuming for Indian citizens to travel to Australia.
Effective as of March 1, 2019, Australian citizens traveling to India will need to pay an additional $AUD130 (approximately Rs 97,000) on top of their current visa application fees. The new fees are meant to cover the costs of processing and verifying applications and are expected to raise over $AUD1 million (approximately Rs 6 crore) per year.
This increase in immigration costs is likely to impact many Indian nationals who are already seeking visas to travel to Australia. Those who do not have valid visas or whose visas have expired may find it increasingly difficult to obtain one. In addition, those who are already in Australia on a tourist or work visa may also be affected by these changes if they wish to leave the country and re-enter with a new visa.
The increased cost of applying for a visa may deter some Indians from traveling to Australia altogether. It is important that people know about these changes in order to plan their trips accordingly. If you are interested in travelling to Australia soon, it is best to speak with an experienced immigration attorney so that you can make sure your application is processed properly and without any issues.