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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 an eligible 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
Eligibility Criteria
Generally, you must leave Australia within 72 hours, unless you also hold a Maritime Crew visa (MCV). If you hold an MCV and arrive in Australia by air on a Transit visa, you must join your ship within 5 days.
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 4 to 22 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.
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.