Transit Visa
(Subclass 771)
The Transit Visa (Subclass 771) is a temporary visa that allows individuals to stay in Australia for up to 72 hours before they are required to depart the country by air or sea.
When applying for this visa, you must be outside Australia and meet one of the following criteria:
Have a confirmed booking or ticket, demonstrating that you have finalized travel arrangements to a destination outside Australia. Your transit in Australia should not exceed 72 hours.
Hold a Maritime Crew visa, indicating that you are joining the crew of a non-military ship and will be departing Australia by sea within 5 days of arriving in Australia by air.
Transit Requirements for Australia: Visa and Eligibility Criteria
To transit through Australia, you need to meet one of the following criteria:
- Possess a valid and active visa.
- Be a citizen of a country eligible for Visa-Free Transit (excluding stateless persons or refugees).
- Hold a Transit (Subclass 771) visa.
Note that Australian citizens or individuals with a valid stay permit in Australia do not require a transit visa.
Consideration of Transit Visa Necessity:
Before deciding on the need for a Transit Visa, it is advisable to check the transit facilities available at Australian airports, review travel arrangements with your travel agent or airline, and determine if you are eligible for visa-free transit, as you may not require a Transit Visa.
Possession and Utilization of the Visa:
If it turns out that you do require this visa, it enables you to enter Australia and stay for a maximum of 72 hours before being obligated to depart by air. For those with a Maritime Crew visa, a period of 5 days is granted from arrival by air to sign onto the non-military ship and depart Australia by sea. In both cases, the visa allows you to leave the airport or transit lounge, permitting visits to family and friends or engaging in sightseeing activities, subject to state/territory restrictions.
Note: If you are traveling with family members, it is recommended to submit your visa applications online together.
Processing Times:
The processing time for this visa is typically between 14 to 32 days. However, the Department reserves the right to vary this timeframe at its discretion.
Obligations:
It is imperative to adhere to all visa conditions and comply with Australian laws. Details of your visa conditions can be found in your visa grant letter or in the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible, you must fulfill the following requirements:
- Depart Australia within 72 hours.
- Meet our health and character requirements.
- Have adequate health insurance.
- Where applicable, hold a Maritime Crew visa.
- Where applicable, the visa is in the best interests of an applicant under 18 years old.
- Sign the Australian Values statement.
- Where applicable, paid back your debt to the Australian Government.
Visa and Travel Exemption Guidelines for Stays Exceeding 72 Hours:
Extending the Transit (Subclass 771) visa to prolong your stay beyond 72 hours is not permissible.
If your plan involves spending more than 72 hours in Australia while waiting for your connecting flight, you will no longer be classified as transiting Australia. In such cases, you must:
- Apply for and obtain the appropriate visa. Refer to the “Explore your visa options” section for detailed information; and
- Request an exemption from Australia’s travel restrictions. Refer to the “Travel restrictions and exemptions” section for guidance on this process.
Transit through Australia for New Zealand Citizens within 72 Hours:
New Zealand citizens eligible for a Special Category visa (Subclass 444) do not require an additional visa for transit through Australia. Simply provide evidence (such as a travel itinerary or flight ticket) to airport officials, confirming that you have finalized travel arrangements to a destination outside Australia, and that your stopover in Australia will not exceed 72 hours.