Changed Visa Operations for India and Pakistan
Media Release
Visa processing arrangements at Australian Diplomatic Missions in Pakistan and India have changed following the withdrawal of some staff in the Islamabad, Mumbai and New Delhi Missions, the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) announced today.
The new arrangements came into effect on 3 June 2002 due to recent tensions between India and Pakistan.
"The Australian Visa Office in Mumbai (India) is now closed to the public and Australian Visa Offices in Islamabad (Pakistan) and New Delhi (India) will have limited visa operations only.
"No new visa applications can be lodged in the Mumbai Visa Office, but all temporary entry applications lodged up to 31 May 2002 have been finalised or are continuing to be processed and applicants will be contacted as necessary.
"Consistent with current arrangements, applications for general skilled points-tested permanent migration visas should continue to be directed to the Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre in Australia.
"For further details on processing arrangements for current and intended visa applications contact the Visa Offices in the Australian High Commissions in Islamabad and New Delhi," the spokesman said.
Alternately, applicants can visit the following DIMIA websites, which will be regularly updated according to the latest information available:
- Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs website: www.immi.gov.au
- Australian High Commission, New Delhi website: www.ausgovindia.com
- Australian Embassy, Bangkok email address: dima-bangkok@dfat.gov.au
- Australian High Commission, Colombo email address: dima-colombo@dfat.gov.au
- Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre email address: adelaide.skilled.centre@immi.gov.au
A dedicated recorded information number is also available within Australia by calling 1800 017 503.
4 June 2002
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