Information Sources for Australian Visa Inquiries - Middle East Crisis
Media Release - DPS 23/2003
p>Two telephone inquiry lines and a dedicated Internet site have been established to assist people who have Middle East-related visa inquiries, the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) announced today.The telephone inquiry lines will be able to provide information on the processing arrangements for visa applications already lodged at Australian visa offices in the Middle East* as well as how to make new visa applications for people from that region.
The telephone inquiry lines are being staffed by client service officers of the Department between 8am to 8pm Australian Eastern Time each day, with recorded messages available outside those hours.
People with Middle East-related inquiries should call 1800 017 503 (free call) if they are in Australia; for people outside Australia, the number to call is 61 2 9032 5864 (toll charge).
All other inquiries should be directed to DIMIA's national telephone inquiry line, 131 881, (for the cost of a local call from anywhere in Australia).
Internet site
Information will also be posted regularly on the DIMIA website.
Visa processing
The Department also announced that visa applications already lodged at a number of the Middle East visa offices would now be processed at the Australian Embassy Immigration Visa section in Athens, Greece. However, the Athens visa office is unable to answer telephone inquiries, which should be directed to the special telephone inquiry lines.
* Lebanon and Syria
People wishing to travel to Australia from Lebanon and Syria are advised that the normal service for visas is available through the Australian visa office in Beirut.
20 March 2003
Media inquiries:
Public Affairs: (02) 6264 2244 (bh) or 0419 442 000 (ah)