If you are planning to travel to Australia, arguably one of the best destinations in the southern hemisphere, then it doesn't matter whether you are visiting for a couple of hours or you are going to be there for 12 months: you need a visitor visa. Therefore, it is critical to understand some facts about the visitor visa application process. This knowledge will help you approach the process with an open mind and also increase the chances of your application success.

Non-Refundable Fee -- The first thing you must know about visitor visa application is that the processing fee is non-refundable. Due to the high fees charged, most new applicants bank on the misinformed idea that the immigration department will refund the amount paid if their application fails. However, the immigration department does not refund the fee if your application is not completed correctly. For this reason, you must observe care during your application. Ensure that all documents are in order and that you have provided accurate information that you can corroborate. Failure on your part in the application process will lead to loss of money.

Purpose of Visit -- Just because a visitor visa is meant for people not planning to stay permanently in Australia doesn't mean that visiting is the primary reason for the application. As such, the immigration department requires a valid reason for your journey to Australia. For instance, are you visiting as a student on an exchange program? Are you visiting as a tourist or on a business trip? Providing the purpose of your visit allows the immigration department to provide you with a checklist of the documentation necessary for your visit. For example, if you are visiting for student exchange, the immigration department needs a letter of the arrangement from the relevant institutions. If family or friends have invited you, the immigration department needs evidence of your relationship with the host.

No Objection Certificate -- Children under the age of 18 travelling to Australia are treated differently from adults when applying for a visitor visa. If you are under the age of 18, the immigration department needs a notarized non-objection certificate authorizing your travel to Australia. Without the non-objection certificate, the department will handle the application with suspicion. In addition to the non-objection certificate, the parents of any child under the age of 18 must provide copies of their passports for the visitor visa application process to begin.

To learn more about what you need to do to get a visitor visa, contact an immigration attorney or another provider of related services in your area today.