Indian Visitors Important

Letter to the Editor - Sydney Morning Herald
19 July 2004

Dear Sir/Madam

Contrary to your suggestions (A barmy way to curry favour with Indian tourists, 19/07) DIMIA recognises the importance of the Indian tourist market and continues to look for ways of making lodgement easier and processing faster.

It is essential however, in the current security environment, that arrangements for processing visa applications ensure the integrity of the visa system is maintained. In the specific case you mentioned and despite the company being advised of our requirements, large numbers of applications were lodged very late, leaving little time to undertake appropriate checks. Many of the applications were also incomplete.

Visitor visas issued to Indian nationals in 2003-04 were up by 20.2%. Numbers are likely to increase further in 2004-05 as DIMIA continues to introduce more innovative approaches to lodgement of visa applications.

Stewart Foster
Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA