Visa Processing Arrangements - Middle East
Media Release - DPS 22/2003
Arrangements have been made to continue processing applications for visas to Australia for clients affected by the closure of Australian visa offices in the Middle East.
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) confirmed today that visa processing had been suspended in Australian diplomatic offices in Israel and Jordan.
A spokesperson said today that contingency plans are in place to
continue visa processing at the Australian visa office in Athens.
Migration processing
'Priority will be given to processing family reunion applications
to migrate to Australia which were well advanced at the time of
the closure.
'It may not be possible to finalise all applications, as clients may have difficulties in undertaking some of the processing, including, for example, attending interviews.'
'All applications for migration must meet all requirements before visas can be granted,' the spokesperson said.
Visitor visas
'People in Iraq, Israel, Jordan and Kuwait who wish to visit
their family members in Australia will need to apply for visitor
visas through visa office at the Australian Embassy in Athens, until
further notice.
'These applications will be treated on a case-by-case basis and applicants will need to prove that they intend to, and are able to return to their country.
Priority will be given to those visitor visa applications made for proven urgent reasons, for example, the serious illness or death of a close family member already in Australia.
'People wishing to travel to Australia from the Lebanon and Syria are advised that the normal service for visas is available through the Australian visa office in Beirut,' the spokesperson said.
20 March 2003
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