(Subclass 771) · Visitor visas
Transit visa
For passing through Australia on the way somewhere else, or joining a ship as crew, when your passport does not allow transit without a visa.
- Stay
No longer than 72 hours
- Government charge
- Free
- Visa type
Temporary
Notice from the Department
If you will be in Australia for less than 8 hours and you are not leaving the airport you may not need to apply for a visa before you travel.
Check if you are eligible to transit without a visa.
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
No longer than 72 hours
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
- transit through Australia for no longer than 72 hours
- enter Australia by air before joining the crew of an eligible ship as a Maritime Crew visa (subclass 988) holder, within 5 days of your arrival.
You must
- be outside Australia
- be transiting Australia, have evidence of a confirmed booking to travel to another country within 72 hours of arriving in Australia with the correct documents to enter that country
- if joining the crew of an eligible ship, hold a Maritime Crew visa and the necessary crew documents, and sign on to your ship within 5 days of your arrival.
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
You might not need it
All non-citizens need a visa or permission to enter Australia. This includes those staying for a short time or just transiting and not leaving the airport. You may not need a Transit visa if you already hold another valid Australian temporary or permanent visa, and that visa permits you to transit Australia.
If you already hold a visa to Australia
If you already hold a visa to Australia, applying for and being granted a Transit visa will likely end your other visa. If you want to use the other visa in the future you will need to re-apply and pay any applicable fee.
If you want to use your other visa to transit through Australia, be aware that different Australian visas can expire at different times. Check ImmiAccount for your Visa Grant Notice or VEVO to see what visa duration and travel limits apply to your visa.
Some Australian visas are only valid for a set time. This time starts after you first arrive in Australia, no matter how short that first visit may be. Some visas are only valid for a single entry to Australia.
If these circumstances apply to you, you may wish to rethink your travel and visa arrangements.
Other visas may allow you multiple trips to Australia and how long you can stay resets each time you arrive.
Before you consider your visa options for transiting through Australia, check:
- transit facilities at Australian airports
- your travel arrangements
- if you are eligible to transit without a visa.
You may not need a Transit visa if you are:
- a NZ passport holder who meets the eligibility requirements for a Special Category (subclass 444) visa (SCV)
- eligible for:
These visas permit the holder to Transit through Australia. They also permit a longer period of stay.
With this visa, you can
- enter Australia and stay for no longer than 72 hours before leaving by air or sea
- enter Australia by air to join the crew of an eligible ship within 5 days of arrival as a Maritime Crew visa (MCV) holder.
Cost
Free.
How long you can stay
No longer than 72 hours, unless you are the holder of a Maritime Crew visa.
Maritime Crew visa (MCV) holder
You have 5 days from arrival by air to sign onto your eligible ship, otherwise your MCV will cease and you may become an unlawful non-citizen. You will need to apply for a new Transit visa on each occasion you need to enter Australia by air to join a ship.
Stay longer
You can't stay in Australia longer by extending this visa. If you want to stay longer, you must apply for another visa.
Include family
You can't include family. You must make a separate application for each person travelling. This includes babies on their parent's passport.
Apply from
You must be outside Australia when you apply and when we decide 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 obligations
You must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.
Learn more about conditions for this visa.
Eligibility
Leave Australia within 72 hours (unless also holding a Maritime Crew (subclass 988) visa)
You must leave Australia within 72 hours unless you also hold a Maritime Crew visa (MCV). If you hold an MCV and arrive in Australia by air on a Transit visa, you must join your ship within 5 days.
Meet our health requirement
You must meet our health requirement.
Meet our character requirement
You must meet our character requirement.
Meet our biometrics requirement
You must meet our biometrics requirement.
Have health insurance
You are personally liable for all your healthcare costs while you are in Australia. Medical insurance helps limit your financial liability.
We might make adequate health cover for the whole of your stay a requirement for grant of this visa. Your health cover should cover you for medically necessary treatment, including transport.
See what we consider adequate health insurance.
Learn 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.
Have paid back your debt to the Australian Government
If you or any family members (including those who don't apply for the visa with you) owe the Australian Government money, you or they must have paid it back or arranged to pay it back.
Where applicable, hold a Maritime Crew visa (MCV)
If entering by air to join the crew of an eligible ship, you must hold a Maritime Crew visa (MCV).
Sign the Australian values statement
If you are 18 years of age or older, you must acknowledge the Australian Values Statement. This confirms you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws when you apply for the visa.
Best interests of the child
We might not grant this visa if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.
Step by step
1Before you apply
Find out if you need a Transit visa by checking your eligibility.
If you are from an eligible country you may be eligible to Transit without a Visa (TWOV) see Travellers eligible to transit without a visa (TWOV).
You may not need a Transit visa if you are:
- a NZ passport holder who meets the eligibility requirements for a Special Category (subclass 444) visa (SCV) or
- are eligible, for:
- an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA),
- a Visitor visa or
- an eVisitor visa
as these visas permit the holder to Transit through Australia. They also permit a longer period of stay.
You may not need a Transit visa if you already hold another valid Australian temporary or permanent visa, and that visa permits you to transit Australia. You can check your visa conditions on VEVO.
Ensure you apply for the visa well ahead of your travel. Provide all the required documents to prevent delays. We may still need more information from you and time to assess that information.
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. For more information see Authorised Recipients.
2Gather your documents
Provide accurate information
See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide accurate information.
Transit through Australia
Identity documents
Provide:
- certified copy of National Identity Card (both sides) if you have one
- certified copy of the pages of your current passport showing your:
- photo
- personal details
- passport issue and expiry dates
- one recent passport sized photograph of your full face against a plain background.
Other documents
Provide:
- your plans while in Australia
- confirmation of booking from Australia to another country within 72 hours of arrival. This can be in the form of a ticket
- evidence that you can enter the other country, such as a visa or other entry authority.
Sea crew transit
Identity documents
Provide:
- certified copy of National Identity Card (both sides) if you have one
- certified copy of the pages of your current passport showing your:
- photo
- personal details
- passport issue and expiry dates
- one recent passport sized photograph of your head and shoulders against a plain background.
Documents from you
Provide documents:
- showing your employment on the ship you are joining in Australia
- showing your travel arrangements to another country
- that show the ship you will be joining is an eligible ship
- that show your seafarer’s identity, such as your seafarer’s Identity Document or Card.
Documents from the shipping agent
We need a statement from the vessel's local shipping/handling agent. The statement must include:
- your name
- the name of the person you are replacing
- the name of the company employing you
- the name of the ship you will join
- the date you intend to arrive in Australia
- the port and date you expect to join the ship
- if the person writing the statement is not the ship's owner, a copy of the request for crew from the ship’s agent in Australia. The request should contain the details of all crew members applying for visas.
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.
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 and
- qualifications and experience in the language they are translating.
These details must be in English.
Certify
Do not certify police certificates. You need to send us the originals.
For all other documents we need a certified copy. This includes:
- non-English documents and
- English translations.
Send
Send us:
- original police certificates
- certified copies of all other documents
- as much information as possible to help us decide on your application
- one copy of each document, even if you are using it to show more than one thing
- all relevant documents with your application.
3Apply for the visa
Provide accurate information
Provide accurate information. See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide accurate information.
Apply online
- Apply in ImmiAccount
- Attach documents
- Submit family applications together.
4After you apply
See what you can and must do after you apply.
What will happen after you apply
We will let you know when we have received your application.
Status updates
We can’t give updates on applications within the standard processing time.
You can check if we need more information from you in ImmiAccount.
Biometrics
We might ask for biometrics (fingerprints and photo). We will let you know if you need to provide them.
Mistakes on your application
Let us know as soon as you can if you made a mistake on your application.
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
Tell us if things change after you lodge your application but before we have made a decision.
Things you need to let us know about include:
- you want to withdraw your application
- changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
- changes to your relationship status
- the birth of a child.
See what to do if your situation changes.
5Visa outcome
You must be outside Australia when we decide 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
- the date your visa starts and
- 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 and
- whether you have a right to a review of the decision.
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
Everyone who arrives in Australia must complete an Incoming Passenger Card. You will receive this on-board your flight.
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
You can be in Australia no longer than:
- 72 hours while you wait to leave by air or
- 5 days if you are a Maritime Crew visa (MCV) holder and leaving by sea and signing onto an eligible ship.
You can go sightseeing or visit family or friends before you depart.
Your visa will come with conditions attached to it. To see your conditions use VEVO.
What you must do on this visa
You must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws. See your visa grant letter or your conditions in VEVO.
Tell us if things change
Things you might 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
You can stay for no longer than 72 hours, or 5 days if you are a Maritime Crew visa holder.
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.
Proving you have a visa
To prove you have a visa and show your conditions to someone, use VEVO.
To get proof of your travel in and out of Australia you can request your international movement records.
Leaving Australia
Before you leave
Check your travel documents
You must have a valid passport or other valid travel document to leave Australia.
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
Proving you have been to Australia
To get proof of your travel in and out of Australia you can request your international movement records.
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.
Open the official page
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.