Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403) · Work and skilled visas · Stream of Temporary Work (International Relations) visa
Privileges and Immunities stream
Work under a government agreement, most commonly the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, plus domestic workers for diplomats and people with privileges and immunities.
This visa stream lets you come to Australia if you have, or expect to have, privileges and immunities under relevant legislation. You can stay in Australia on this visa while you are working as an international representative.
- Stay
You can stay for the time we specify in your visa grant letter. This is usually the time you are an international representative with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
- Government charge
- Free
- Visa type
Temporary
Official information from the Department of Home Affairs
The material below reproduces English-language information from the Department of Home Affairs about this visa. Requirements may have changed since it was added to this website. Use the source link to check the latest information; I can explain relevant provisions in Vietnamese or English during a consultation.
Overview
Stay
You can stay for the time we specify in your visa grant letter. This is usually the time you are an international representative with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Government charge
FreeProcessing times
For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
With this visa, you can
- work in Australia as an international representative
- travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid
You must
- get a letter of support from DFAT recommending that you should be granted this visa
- have, or expect to have, the privileges and immunities listed under the International Organisations (Privileges and Immunities) Act 1963 or the Overseas Missions (Privileges and Immunities) Act 1995
- apply online
Help with your visa
If you are getting help with your visa, before you pay someone, read information on Who can help with your visa application.
About this visa
With this visa, you can
- work in Australia as an international representative
- travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid
- bring your immediate family
How long you can stay
This is a temporary visa. You can stay for the time we specify in your visa grant letter.
You can usually stay in Australia as long as you are working as an international representative with the relevant privileges and immunities and continue to have the support of DFAT.
The visa is granted with multiple entry. You can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
The visa starts on the date we grant the visa (if you are in Australia at the time of grant) or on the date you enter Australia (if you were outside Australia when we granted it).
Stay longer
You can't stay in Australia longer by extending this visa. You must apply for a new visa if you want to stay longer.
You can apply for another visa under the Privileges and Immunities stream in Australia if you continue to meet the relevant criteria or you can apply for a different visa.
Include family
You can include members of the family unit in your application when you apply.
Family members who apply for the visa must meet our character requirement.
Cost
There is no cost for this visa.
You might have to pay for police certificates and biometrics.
Apply from
You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa and when we decide on your application.
Processing times
For an indication of processing times for this visa, use the visa processing time guide tool. This will show the processing times for recently decided applications. It is a guide only and not specific to your application.
Your application can take longer to process if:
- you do not fill it in correctly
- you do not include all the documents we need, or we need more information from you
- it takes us time to verify your information
We can't process your application if you do not pay the correct visa application charge. We will notify you if this is the case and if necessary return your application.
Your obligations
You and your family must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws.
Learn more about conditions for this visa.
Travel
You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
The time you spend outside Australia does not extend the visa.
Visa label
We will digitally link your visa to your passport. You will not get a label in your passport.
Eligibility
Have, or expect to have, privileges and immunities
These must be listed under the International Organisations (Privileges and Immunities) Act 1963 or the Overseas Missions (Privileges and Immunities) Act 1995.
Have a letter of support
You must have a letter of support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) recommending that you should be granted the visa.
Be able to support yourself and any dependants
While you are in Australia, you must have the financial capacity to support yourself and any dependent family members who come with you.
Work
You must continue to be employed:
- by the employer you were granted the visa to work for
- in a position that has the privileges immunities listed in the relevant legislation
You must do the work or activity specified in your visa application.
Have this visa
If you are applying in Australia, you must hold or, in the last 12 months, have held a temporary substantive visa.
The visa you hold or have held in the last 12 months can't have been:
- a Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403) in the Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream
- a Transit visa (subclass 771), or
- a Special Purpose visa
Meet our character requirement
You and family members aged 16 years and over who apply for the visa with you must meet our character requirement.
Have adequate health insurance
You are personally liable for all your healthcare costs while you are in Australia. Medical insurance helps limit your financial liability.
You and your family must have adequate health cover for the whole of your stay to be granted this visa. Your health insurance should cover you for medically necessary treatment, including transport.
See more about health insurance for overseas visitors.
Reciprocal healthcare agreements
Some countries have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. Find out more from Services Australia about reciprocal healthcare agreements.
Meet the genuine temporary stay requirement
You must only intend to:
- have a genuine intention to stay temporarily in Australia
- do the work or activity you specified in your visa application
Repay debt
If you owe the Australian Government money, you must have paid it back or have a formal arrangement to pay it back.
Not had a visa cancelled or an application refused
We will consider your immigration history when we make a decision on your application, which means you might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused.
In some circumstances you may still apply for a permanent visa if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused see Limitations on applications in Australia.
If applying for a visa from outside Australia see Can I go to Australia.
If you want immigration assistance, see Who can help with your visa application.
Step by step
1Before you apply
See what you need to do if you want to get help with your application.
Get help with your application
Only some people can help you with your application. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:
You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your visa matter.
2Gather your documents
Gather your documents to prove your identity, show you have financial support and health insurance. Prepare them to submit online.
Provide accurate information
Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide true information.
Identity documents
Provide the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, and passport issue and expiry dates.
Also provide:
- a national identity card, if you have one
- proof of change of name
Documents that prove a change of name include:
- a marriage or divorce certificate
- change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
- documents that show other names you have been known by
Character documents
Provide:
- an Australian police certificate if you have spent a total of 12 months or more in Australia in the last 10 years since you turned 16. We only accept complete disclosure National Police Certificates issued by the Australian Federal Police. We do not accept standard disclosure certificates or national police certificates issued by Australian state or territory police
- an overseas police certificate from every country, including your home country, where you spent a total of 12 months or more in the last 10 years since you turned 16
- military service records or discharge papers if you served in the armed forces of any country
Learn more about police certificates.
Tell us you are getting help
To nominate someone to:
- receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount.
Partner documents
Provide:
- identity documents
- character documents
- documents about other relationships, if applicable
Provide either:
- your current marriage certificate, or
- enough documents to prove you have been in a de facto relationship with your partner for at least 12 months before you apply
Documents that prove your de facto relationship include:
- joint bank account statements
- billing accounts in joint names
- joint leases or mortgages
- documents that show your partner has lived at the same address as you
Financial documents
To prove that you can support yourself and any family you bring to Australia, provide:
- evidence of funds (employment contract, bank statements), or
- a letter from your bank or financial institution stating your financial position
We can also consider allowances, accommodation and other help from your employer.
Dependants under 18 documents
For every dependant under 18 years old who is applying with you, provide:
- identity documents
- proof of your relationship with them, like a birth certificate
- character documents, if applicable
Parental responsibility documents
You must get consent for any applicant under 18 years of age to migrate to Australia from anyone who:
- has a legal right to decide where the child lives and
- is not coming to Australia with the child
They must complete either:
- Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years
- a statutory declaration giving their consent for the child to visit Australia on this visa
Alternatively, you can show us:
- an Australian court order that allows your child to migrate to Australia, or
- that the laws of your home country allow them to migrate
Include:
- an identity document that shows the signature and photo of the person who completed the form or declaration, such as a passport or driver’s licence
- adoption papers or other court documents if applicable
If the child is not staying with a relative or legal guardian, provide Form 1257 Undertaking declaration. The person they are staying with must sign the form.
Dependants over 18 documents
For every dependant 18 years old or older who is applying with you, provide:
- identity documents
- documents about their other relationships, if applicable
- character documents
Proof of dependency
You need to prove that this person is dependent on you. Provide:
- a completed Form 47a Details of a child or other dependent family member aged 18 years or over
- proof of your relationship with the dependent such as a birth certificate or adoption papers
You must also prove this person has been financially dependent on you for at least 12 months before you apply. You could provide:
- proof they live with you
- their tax records
- proof they are currently studying
Prepare your documents
Translate
Have all non-English documents translated into English.
Provide original and translated documents in your application.
Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:
- full name
- address and telephone number
- qualifications and experience in the language they are translating
These details must be in English.
Note: You do not need to have any documents certified.
Scan or photograph
Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour.
The scans and photos must be legible.
If a document is more than one page, save it all as one file.
3Apply for the visa
You must apply for this visa online. You can be in or outside Australia when you apply.
Provide accurate information
Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide true information.
Apply for the visa online in ImmiAccount
- Create an account or log in to ImmiAccount
- Attach documents
- Pay the application charge
- Note the transaction reference number (TRN)
We will not process your application until you pay the charge.
Each family member must have their application charge paid and documents attached to their application.
4After you apply
See what you can and must do after apply.
What will happen after you apply
We will let you know when we have received your application.
Status updates
If it is within standard processing times do not call. We can't provide any further updates on the application's progress.
You can see if we have asked for more information in your ImmiAccount.
Travel after you apply
If you are in Australia, you don't have to tell us if you want to travel outside Australia while we process your application. This is because you can be outside Australia when we make a decision.
But if you leave Australia, make sure you have a valid visa to return.
Learn about visa expiry.
Biometrics
We might ask for biometrics (fingerprints and photo). We will let you know if you need to provide them.
Attach more information
If you did not attach all documents when you applied, attach them as soon as possible in ImmiAccount.
We might also ask you to provide more information.
Stay lawful
If you are in Australia, make sure you stay lawful by holding a valid visa while we process your application.
If you applied for this visa in Australia and the application was assessed as valid, you were granted a bridging visa. If your current visa expires before we decide on your application, the bridging visa will start. You can stay in Australia on the bridging visa while we process your new visa application.
Learn more about visa expiry
Add family members
You can add members of the family unit to your application after you apply but before we decide on your visa.
Your family members must apply separately if you do not include them in your application for this visa.
To apply separately your family members will need to complete an application for a Temporary Activity, International Relations or Training Visa (Subsequent entrant) (403,407,408) form in ImmiAccount.
Newborn children
Find out what to do if your child is born after you apply.
Mistakes on your application
Let us know as soon as you can.
Help with your application
Let us know if you no longer want someone to:
- receive your correspondence - complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient
- provide immigration advice - complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount.
For more information see Who can help you with your application.
Tell us if things change
Things you need to let us know about include:
- changes to the child's phone number, email, address or passport
- changes to the child's relationship status
- the birth of a child
- you want to withdraw the application
See how to tell us if your situation changes.
5Visa outcome
You can be in or outside Australia when we decide on your visa application.
We will let you know our decision in writing.
If we grant your visa, we will tell you:
- your visa grant number
- how long your visa is valid for
- your visa conditions, if applicable
Keep a copy of the decision.
If we refuse your visa, we will tell you:
- why we refused the visa
- whether you have a right to a review of the decision
We will not refund the application charge if we refuse your application.
When you have this visa
Coming to Australia
Before you leave
Check your travel documents
You must have:
- a valid visa to enter Australia
- a valid passport or other travel document
At the border
Completing an Incoming Passenger Card
All people arriving Australia must complete the Incoming Passenger Card. You will be given this card onboard.
Leaving the airport faster
We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.
In Australia
What you can do when you have this visa
- work in Australia as an international representative
- travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid
- bring family members with you
To see your specific conditions and work entitlements use VEVO.
What you must do on this visa
You and your family members must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.
See your conditions in VEVO.
Learn more about visa conditions and how they work.
Tell us if things change
Things you need to let us know about include:
- changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
- changes to your relationship status
- the birth of a child
See how to tell us if there is a change in your situation.
See how long you can stay
To see when you must leave, use VEVO.
Staying longer
You can't stay in Australia longer by extending this visa. You must apply for a new visa if you want to stay longer.
Travelling on your visa
You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want while the visa is valid.
Time spent outside Australia does not extend the visa.
See your conditions in VEVO.
Proving you have a visa
To prove you have a visa and show your conditions to someone, use VEVO.
Request your international movement records to get proof of your travel in and out of Australia.
Working
To see your conditions for work, use VEVO.
If you have permission to work, you are protected by Australian workplace law. See your workplace rights and entitlements.
Bringing family
Your family members must apply separately if you do not include them in your application for this visa.
To apply separately your family members will need to complete an application for a Temporary Activity, International Relations or Training Visa (Subsequent entrant) (403,407,408) form in ImmiAccount.
Leaving Australia
Before you leave
Check your travel documents
You must have a valid passport or other travel document to leave Australia.
Ensure your visa is still valid.
See what to do if your visa has expired or is about to expire.
At the border
Leaving the airport faster
We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.
After you leave
Getting your superannuation
You are likely to have some money in a superannuation fund if you worked in Australia and you are:
- aged 18 years or older
- paid AUD450 or more before tax in a month
See how to access your super.
Proving you have been to Australia
To get proof of your travel in and out of Australia request your international movement records.
All streams of the Temporary Work (International Relations) visa
Official source: Department of Home Affairs, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. © Commonwealth of Australia. Refer to the source website for its copyright and conditions of use.
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Next step
Have a visa question or need help getting started?
A 30-minute consultation gives us time to discuss your circumstances, consider initial options and identify the documents that need checking. Some matters require a further review of the records before I can give a complete assessment.