Inclusion of France and Turkey under Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) provisions
1 November 2003 - Legislation change
Client summary
Amendments to immigration law from 1 November 2003 will include France and Turkey under the definition of 'SOFA forces member' and 'SOFA forces civilian component member' in regulation 1.03.
This will enable members of the armed forces or civilian component of the armed forces of France and Turkey to be granted special purpose visas once Australia has entered a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with those countries.
All domestic requirements must be completed before the SOFAs are ratified by each country's Parliament.
Accordingly, once both countries' Parliaments have ratified the SOFAs, members of the armed forces or civilian component of the armed forces of France and Turkey will be included in the definitions of 'SOFA forces members' and 'SOFA forces civilian component members'.
Technical details
Additional information: section 33 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act) provides for a class of temporary visa to enter and remain in Australia known as a Special Purpose Visa (SPV). Currently, Australia has SOFAs with the USA, Singapore, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea.
Transitional arrangements: there are no transitional arrangements for French and Turkish armed forces personnel entering Australia.
Forms: nil.
Instructions: minor amendments have been made to MSI 363 - Special Purpose Visa and MSI 362 - Travel Documents.
Effect on delegations: nil.
Effect on systems: nil.