Australia visa: 48hr processing times for GCC nationals

June 08 2009 by Gareth McConnell

GCC member countries can get an Australia visa in 48hrs

GCC Australia visa times slashed

People from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) can now get their Australian visa processed in as little as two days.

The Australian government has announced the changes, effective immediately, will slash the current 14 day waiting period for resident passport holders in Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.

Australian immigration procedures now include the choice of submitting an Australian visa application at various counters in the Middle East, so that processing times will take five working days.

The reduction is possible because of advances in technology that enables increased handling capacity.

GCC nationals receive a two-year, multiple entry visa for Australia that is valid for up to three months during any one stay.

“We are thrilled that the government has implemented steps to shorten visa processing times,’ said Andrew Oldfield, Distribution development manager, Tourism Australia (TA).

“The Middle Eastern consumer is typically an impulse traveller, with bookings made an average of two weeks prior to travel. Having a two-day visa processing time should help attract more travellers to Australia this year,” he said.

Australia immigration welcomed 63,000 Gulf residents last year, a 21% increase over Middle Eastern arrivals in 2007. The figure is expected to rocket this year following the introduction of additional flights.

“Emirates airline alone operates 63 flights per week to Australia, which it will increase to 70 in winter. Etihad Airways flies 21 times a week while Qatar Airways will start operation in winter – so we soon expect over 100 flights a week will link several GCC cities with Australian ones,” said Oldfield.

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