For the latest information on Australia's immigration and border arrangements during the COVID-19 outbreak please visit covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au.
The best way to find out information about immigration and citizenship is by visiting the Department of Home Affairs website at www.homeaffairs.gov.au.
If you can’t find the information you are looking for, you can contact the Department of Home Affairs Global Service Centre on +61 2 6196 0196, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm local time in your country, or via www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-and-support/contact-us.
Biometric Collection Centres
From 19 October 2020, the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) will gradually resume biometrics collection services at the existing biometrics collection locations.
The resumption of biometrics collection services through the Australian Visa Application Centres (AVACs) and Australian Biometrics Collection Centres (ABCCs) will be dependent on in-country COVID-19 restrictions.
In addition to biometrics collection services, centres will offer enquiry and assisted online lodgement services.
You can use your existing Requirement to provide personal identifiers (biometrics) letter to book and attend a biometrics collection appointment. If you have applied for your visa online, a copy of this letter is available in your ImmiAccount.
You must contact your local AVAC or ABCC to arrange an appointment. You can check the Department’s website for updated information on AVACs and ABCCs including contact information and opening times in your country see: Offices Outside Australia
The Department is aware that you may not be able to provide biometrics in certain locations due to in-country COVID-19 restrictions. You do not need to contact the Department if:
· the collection centre in your area being temporarily closed, or
· lock-downs in your area that prevent you from travelling to a collection centre.
Important information on travel to Australia
Australia has strict travel restrictions in place to protect the health of the Australia community.
Unless you are travelling to Australia as part of the New Zealand safe travel zone, you must have an exemption to Australia’s travel restrictions before you travel. You may also be required to enter quarantine after you have arrived in Australia.
Check the Department of Home Affairs COVID-19 website for up to date information on travel restrictions: covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au.
Welcome
Welcome to the website of the Migration Branch of the Australian Embassy in Belgrade. We are an overseas office of the Department of Home Affairs. We service clients who are usually resident in Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
You should not book flights or make travel commitments until you have a visa to travel to Australia. The department will not be liable for any financial loss incurred by clients whose visa application was finalised later than expected or was unsuccessful.
What's new?
The Australian Government has announced it will enhance the way visa and citizenship services are delivered using the latest digital technologies. For more information visit the Department of Home Affairs' website.
Digital Passenger Declaration
It is a requirement from the Australian Government that you complete a Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD). The DPD requests critical health information required for entry into Australia. You must be able to provide evidence that the critical information was completed before boarding the aircraft.
You must show airline staff at check-in that you have completed the DPD and provide relevant supporting documentation as evidence. Passengers who do not complete a DPD prior to check-in, may be referred to Australian Border Force Officers on arrival and face unnecessary delays.
The DPD can be completed by downloading the mobile app from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play store (Android), or via a web form.
More information on the DPD can be found on the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website.
Beware of Visa Scams
To avoid being scammed, you can check the Register of Migration Agents on the OMARA website, to receive the protections of an OMARA registered Migration Agent.
There are Australian registered migration agents working all around the world in countries such as India, the United Kingdom, China and New Zealand, just to name a few. These agents are subject to the same Code of Conduct, professional development and regulations as registered migration agents based in Australia. More information about Australia’s efforts to ensure the integrity of the migration advice profession is available at: www.mara.gov.au
Immigration and Citizenship
We prefer applicants to lodge their application online. By making an application online, there is less likely to be a delay with receiving, processing and finalising your application.
For further information on applying for a visa online, including tip sheets and other guides, please click here.
Belgrade does not offer a counter service. Applicants who wish to discuss their application or visa and citizenship options, should contact the Global Service Centre. For their contact details, please click here.
You can view current global visa and citizenship processing times for most visa subclasses and citizenship types. To view current processing times, see the product page for the specific visa subclass or citizenship type you are applying for. You can navigate to any product from Individuals and Travellers or Visa Support. On the product page, two processing times will be displayed, indicating how long it takes to finalise 75 and 90 per cent of all applications submitted globally.
Processing times apply from the date your complete application is lodged.
You can also use the Visa Finder to compare processing times for up to three different products.
Please note that applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and that actual processing times may vary due to individual circumstances including:
- whether the applicant has lodged a complete application including all necessary supporting documents
- how promptly the applicant responds to any requests for additional information
- how long it takes to perform required checks
- how long it takes to receive additional information from external parties, particularly in relation to health, character, national security, and Assurance of Support requirements
- the number of places available in the migration programme (for permanent migration visas)
- surges in demand and peak periods
To ensure your application falls within the published processing times, we strongly encourage you to submit complete applications. The checklists provided on ImmiAccount will assist in making sure you have included all required documents during the application process.
Applications for Visa and Citizenship can be lodged online through ImmiAccount. You will be able to make the payment online as you lodge the application. This will ensure that your application and payment is received by us in a timely manner.
Applications that cannot be lodged online, can now be pre-paid through the 'Manage Payments' section to ImmiAccount. Record your receipt number and attach a copy of your receipt when lodging the application.
Available payment methods
This is a summary of the payment methods available:
|
I will be paying for |
Available payment methods |
|
An application submitted online |
In ImmiAccount by card, PayPal or BPAY as you submit the application |
|
A paper application submitted in and outside Australia |
Pre-pay in the Manage Payments section in ImmiAccount |
|
Other service fees and charges |
Pre-pay in the Manage Payments section in ImmiAccount |
If you cannot apply online and your paper application form is being sent to the Belgrade office, the Department of Home Affairs in Belgrade accepts the following payment methods:
- Credit Card in Australian Dollars: Mastercard Credit Card, Visa Credit Card, American Express Credit Card, Diners Credit Card, JCB Credit Card. Clients that complete the payment section of the application form are charged in Australian Dollars (AUD) only. Please note that if paying by credit card in Australian Dollars you may incur banking and currency conversion fees and you accept the risk associated with any currency fluctuations.
Note: Belgrade does not accept cash, personal cheques or company cheques. You must include the exact amount that you wish to pay. Failure to do so, may result in your application being invalid.
The processing charge cannot be refunded, irrespective of the outcome of the application.
Your application will be returned if:
• you do not include payment details,
• we are unable to deduct the fee from your credit card
• you authorise us to deduct a fee which is insufficient.
Current application charges
The application charges may change bi-annually on 1 January and 1 July.
Visa and Citizenship Applications
For comprehensive information about visa application charges for all types of visas and citizenship applications, please visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.
To see visa application charges, please click here.
Applying for Australian Citizenship by Descent
You may be eligible for Australian citizenship by descent if you were born outside Australia and one (or both) of your parents at the time of your birth was also an Australian citizen at that time. Check your eligibility before you apply.
Apply online through ImmiAccount. More information about how to apply is available on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Information about processing times is also available on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Applying for Evidence of Australian citizenship
An Australian citizenship certificate is an official document that shows that a person is an Australian citizen. If you meet requirements, you can get a certificate, or replace one that has been lost, destroyed or damaged. Check your eligibility before you apply.
Apply online through ImmiAccount. More information about how to apply is available on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Information about processing times is also available on the Department of Home Affairs website.
The Australian Government collects biometrics from clients who are in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia or Kazakhstan at the time they lodge their application or are usually resident in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia or Kazakhstan.
Biometrics are collected through a quick and easy process that captures a photograph of your face and a 10-digit electronic fingerprint. Applicants will be required to provide their biometrics each and every time they apply for a visa (where biometrics is required).
Visa applicants in Russia will receive a letter requiring them to attend one of the six Australian Biometric Collection Centres located in Moscow, St Petersburg, Vladivostok, Novosibirsk and Rostov-on-Don in person to provide their biometrics within 14 days of lodging their application.
Visa applicants in Kazakhstan will receive a letter requiring them to attend the Australian Biometric Collection Centre located in Almaty to provide their biometrics within 14 days of lodging their application.
Visa applicants in Albania will receive a letter requiring them to attend the Australian Biometric Collection Centre located in Tirana in person to provide their biometrics within 14 days of lodging their application.
Visa applicants in Bosnia and Herzegovina will receive a letter requiring them to attend the Australian Biometric Collection Centre located in Sarajevo in person to provide their biometrics within 14 days of lodging their application.
If you are outside Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina Russia or Kazakhstan and are required to undertake biometrics, please visit the department's website for information on your nearest biometrics collection centre.
Delays in providing biometrics will cause delays in the processing of visa applications and failure to provide biometrics may result in your application being refused.
For more information on Biometrics, please visit the VFS - Australian Biometric Collection Centre website.