Australian High Commission

Malaysia

No. 6 Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, 50450 Kuala Lumpur - Telephone: 21465555 - Fax: 21415773

Frequently asked questions

What type of visa do I need?

It depends on the reasons why you are travelling to Australia. If you are not sure, the Visa Wizard is a tool that may help you choose an appropriate visa based on some questions it asks you. It includes the most common visa types, but does not include every visa. The Visa Wizard is not a substitute for your own judgement, own enquiries and/or independent advice. You will need to make sure that you can demonstrate that you meet the visa requirements before a visa is granted.

Can I apply in Malaysia if I live here but I’m not a Malaysian citizen?

The Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur only processes certain types of visas. If you are a visitor in Malaysia or Brunei, your application should have been lodged with the nearest departmental office in your home country or the designated Australian processing centre. If you choose to lodge an application in Malaysia, you may experience delays as we may need to refer your application to another office. For a list of the visas that the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur processes applications for, refer to the Visa information section of the website.

What if I don’t have all the documents?

To help you to lodge a complete application and avoid delays, there are checklists available for download that outlines all the documents you will need. If you do not provide all the documents required or requested by the case officer, you may not meet the visa requirements and your application can be refused.

Do I need to use an agent?

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship provides detailed information on all visas on their website at www.immi.gov.au However, if you feel that you need help with your visa application, you can seek advice from an agent. Before you do, we encourage that you read the information on our website about migration agents and refer to the Consumer Guide (PDF, 392 Kb, 8 page) and translated brochures from the Office of the Migration Agent Registration Authority.

Staff at the Australian Visa Application Centre and Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur cannot help complete your visa application.

Where can I get my documents certified?

A commissioner of oaths, notary public, justice of the peace, qualified lawyer or an accountant with Australian Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) or Australian Chartered Accountant (CA) recognition will be able to certify your documents. The Consular section of the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur can also certify your documents for a fee. For information on notarial services, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website at http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/services/legalising-documents.html

Where can I get my documents translated?

The Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur does not offer translation services. There is no specified requirement as to who translates your documents provided they are a qualified translator. See translations services (PDF, 32 Kb, 1 page) for some suggested translators.

Can I apply if my passport is valid for less than 6 months?

Yes. However, if you are planning a short stay, it is recommended that your passport should not expire when you are in Australia. You will need a valid passport to leave as well as enter Australia. Even with a valid visa, some airlines may decline to carry passengers whose passport has less than 6 months validity. In addition, the country you are travelling to after you depart Australia may require you to have a passport with more than 6 months validity. You should check with your intended airline and/or travel agent whether it will be an issue.

Where should I lodge my application?

Please refer to the Where to lodge your application section of our website.

Can someone else submit my application on my behalf?

If you are required to lodge your application at the Australia Visa Application Centre, then you must go there yourself. If you have members of your family included in your application, they must also attend. This is because as part of the application, biometrics will be taken. If your application is one that can be lodged at the Australian High Commission then a third party can lodge on your behalf. For more information, refer to the biometrics collection section of our website.

Can I pay a fee to have my application processed faster?

No. There is no service to expedite visa application processing for Australian visas.

How long do I have to wait for a decision to be made?

We strive to finalise visa applications within the service standards. However, sometimes there are circumstances such as incomplete applications and waiting for additional documents and information which may delay our processing. To help us, you can use the checklists to assist you with compiling a complete application.

Is there a way to track the progress of my application?

If you lodged your application at the Australian Visa Application Centre, you can track the progress of your application on the VFS Global website. You will need your reference number on the receipt (VLN) and your date of birth and enter them in the tracking tool.

My passport is lost/stolen (or I’ve applied for a new passport) but my application is still pending. What should I do?

You should send an email explaining your situation to immigration.kuala-lumpur-visaenquiries@dfat.gov.au with an image of the page that has your personal details from your old and new passports. Your case officer will update your passport details on our records. We will not be able to finalise your application until we have received your new passport details.

I’m not going to Australia anymore. Can I get a refund?

No. The fee you paid when you lodge your application is an administrative processing fee. If you no longer wish to travel to Australia, you may choose to withdraw your visa application.

My passport is lost/stolen (or I’ve applied for a new passport). Do I need a new visa?

You should send an email explaining your situation to immigration.kuala-lumpur-visaenquiries@dfat.gov.au with an image of the page that has your personal details from your old and new passports. A case officer will update your passport details on our records. If you do not, and attempt to travel on your new passport, you may experience delays or be denied boarding by the airline. If the visa you held was an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), you will need to apply for a new ETA online at www.eta.immi.gov.au

Can I travel to Australia if my passport is valid for less than 6 months?

Yes. However, it is recommended that your passport should not expire when you are in Australia. You will need a valid passport to leave as well as enter Australia. Even with a valid visa, some airlines may decline to carry passengers whose passport has less than 6 months validity. In addition, the country you are travelling to after you depart Australia may require you to have a passport with more than 6 months validity. You should check with your intended airline and/or travel agent whether it will be an issue.

This page was last updated on 27 July 2012

Frequently asked questions

Applying for a visa

Visa lodgement

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