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Fact Sheet 59 - Immigration Arrangements for Norfolk Island

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The Migration Act (1958) extends to certain Australian prescribed territories. Norfolk Island is not a prescribed territory and therefore the Act does not extend to it. As a result, Norfolk Island must be treated like another country with flights between Norfolk Island and Australia classified as international flights. This means that all passengers must undergo immigration clearance when arriving in or departing from Australia.

Entry and visa requirements

All travellers to Norfolk Island, including Australian citizens, must hold valid passports. The Norfolk Island Administration has responsibility for deciding whether they will allow an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident to travel to Norfolk Island without a passport. The Norfolk Island Government also requires those who are not permanent residents of Norfolk Island, including Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents, to hold tickets for an onward or return journey.

The Norfolk Island Immigration Act (1980) requires that, except for Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents of Norfolk Island, anyone who wishes to travel to the Island must hold an Australian visa. The visa must be valid for 30 days longer than the time the person intends to spend on Norfolk Island. The Australian visa is a pre-requisite for entry to Norfolk Island – a visa is required even if only transiting through Australia.

It is important to inform the Department of Immigration and Citizenship about intended travel to Norfolk Island, when applying for an Australian visa to ensure multiple journeys are permitted. This will ensure eligibility to enter Norfolk Island and return to Australia. The period of validity of the visa is all that is relevant on Norfolk Island – otherwise the Australian visa has no effect on the island. However, the visa holder will be bound by the period of stay and conditions on the visa in mainland Australia.

Norfolk Island's permit system

The Norfolk Island Immigration Act provides for four categories of permit holders. These are:

Further information on the island's permit system is available on the Norfolk Island Government's website.
See: www.norfolk.gov.nf

Australia's Permanent Resident of Norfolk Island visa

Permanent residents of Norfolk Island are not required to hold a visa to travel to Australia. They apply for a Permanent Resident of Norfolk Island Visa (PRNIV) at an Australian airport by presenting a current passport that is endorsed with their Norfolk Island permanent residence status, and a completed passenger card.

The PRNIV allows non-Australian citizens who are permanent residents of Norfolk Island to enter Australia and to remain in the country indefinitely. The PRNIV ceases when the holder leaves Australia and a new visa must be obtained for each subsequent entry.

The PRNIV is evidenced by a port and date stamp in the holder's valid passport. Holders of PRNIVs are Australian permanent residents but only hold Australian permanent resident status (and a PRNIV) while they are in Australia.

Australian citizen permanent residents of Norfolk Island do not require a PRNIV, as Australian citizens do not require a visa to enter Australia.

Australian Permanent Residents

Australian permanent resident visa holders should be aware that, while they are residing on Norfolk Island, they are outside Australia for the purposes of the Migration Act, which may affect their future entitlement to a resident return visa.

For example, if the holder of a resident return visa which is valid for travel until 1 July 2007, remains on Norfolk Island beyond this date, the visa will cease, and another visa will be required to enter Australia. When applying for another resident return visa, the period spent on Norfolk Island will not count as time spent in Australia as a permanent resident under the residential requirement for the resident return visa.

Non-Australian citizens who wish to remain permanent residents of Australia need to ensure they continue to hold valid resident return visas for Australia.

Australian Citizenship

Norfolk Island is part of Australia for the purposes of the Australian Citizenship Act 1948.

For more information on Australian citizenship visit the citizenship website.
See: www.citizenship.gov.au

 

Further information is available on the department's web site.
See: www.immi.gov.au

The department also operates a national telephone service inquiry line.
Telephone: 131 881
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm (recorded information available outside these hours) for the cost of a local call anywhere in Australia.

Fact Sheet 59. Produced by the National Communications Branch, Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Canberra.
Revised 30 January 2007.

© Commonwealth of Australia 2007.