Reduced Need for Over the Counter Visa Services in Dublin
Media Release - DPS 51/2002
New technology and new service delivery methods have significantly reduced the need for most Irish residents to attend the Australian visa services office in Dublin, the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) said today.
"Residents of Ireland now have a range of new and more streamlined options available to access visa services, including applying through travel agents and over the Internet. These have all but eliminated the need to continue with over-the counter services at the Australian Embassy in Dublin," a departmental spokesperson said.
"Last year, of the approximately 30,000 visitor visas issued to Irish nationals, 93% were accessed through travel agents or airlines."
People wishing to travel to Australia can be granted a short-term tourist or business visa, called an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), at their travel agent while booking an airline ticket. All travel agents and international airlines in Ireland can provide ETA visas.
Individuals can also get tourist, student and working holiday maker visas, known as eVisas, over the Internet by visiting either website listed below.
"Over 85% of the current caseload at the Australian visa services in Dublin are working holiday maker applicants who can now apply for an eVisa over the Internet," the spokesperson said.
Also, with the introduction of skilled migration processing in Adelaide and Business Skills visa processing in Perth, these applications are now lodged and processed in Australia. The parent caseload will also shortly be moved to Perth.
DIMIA will continue to expand its range of electronic visa services.
These methods have very significantly reduced the need to visit the local immigration office. As a result, immigration operations at the Australian Embassy in Dublin are to be closed. Any residual visa work related to the Irish caseload will be undertaken by the Australian High Commission in London, its nearest Australian visa processing office.
The new arrangements will be introduced progressively, with existing visa services being fully transferred by 1 October 2002.
Not all countries have an Australian immigration office, in fact over 50% of European countries are serviced by an Australian visa office located in another country.
Irish residents interested in travelling to Australia will still be able to get application forms and other visa information locally or from the Internet.
The Department will operate a 24-hour telephone information line on 01 6645 345, for the cost of a local call anywhere in Ireland.
Further information on the transfer of visa services from Dublin
and the new arrangements is available through the Internet on: www.australianembassy.ie or www.australia.org.uk
2 August 2002
Media inquiries: Public Affairs 02 6264 2244