Relocation of the Australian Visa Office Philippines
Media Release - DPS 33/2003
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA), advises that the Visa Office in the Philippines is moving to new premises as part of the relocation of the Australian Embassy, Manila.
The address of the new embassy is Level 23-Tower 2, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City 1200 (PO Box 1071). The public may contact the Embassy through the new trunklines: telephone- 757 8100 fax- 757 8268.
Clients may have experienced some minor disruptions to visa services in the week commencing 12 May 2003 as a result of the relocation.
Due to the impact of the move, the estimated processing time for tourist visa applications will be seven working days from receipt of the application. Those wishing to travel in the month of May can expect a delay of approximately three-five working days (additional to the usual seven working days processing time).
Those who want to lodge a tourist visa application should use a special courier service that will pick-up and deliver applications. There is a charge for this service. Clients wishing to lodge applications via courier can contact the Call Centre for pick up using the numbers below.
The Visa Office in Manila will re-open to clients with appointments on 22 May 2003, but has recommenced receipting courier applications from 19 May 2003. Applications will be delivered to the new Embassy from 19 May 2003.
To seek further information, clients in the Philippines seeking a visitor visa should call 1909-3622779 (for PLDT), 1900-3622779 (for Globelines) and 1903-3622779 (for Bayantel).
Clients in Australia with questions about the move should call 131 881.
20 May 2003
Media inquiries:
Public Affairs: (02) 6264 2244 (bh) or 0419 442 000 (ah)