The latest data from the Department of Home Affairs sheds light on significant shifts in grant and refusal rates for visitor visas, providing valuable insights for prospective travellers to Australia in 2024.
What does the latest data reveal?
Since the Australian borders reopened and travel restrictions were lifted, Australia has seen a surge in visitor visa applications, particularly from countries like China and India. In the 2022-2023 program year, over 3.3 million visitor visas were granted, more than doubling from the previous year’s figure of approximately 1 million. However, despite the surge the data indicates that these numbers are still below pre-pandemic numbers both in terms of application be received and visas being granted.
The general approval rate for visitor visas declined from 91.6% in June 2022 to 85.8% in June 2023. Notably, there has been a rise in refusal rates for high-risk countries the most significant being Pakistan, India, Fiji, and Indonesia. This trend is likely attributed to the Department’s voiced concerns regarding the global economic downturn and geopolitical shifts in many countries post-pandemic. This data suggests that visa applicants from higher risk countries are facing stricter scrutiny with the increasing rates of visitor visa refusals.
What’s Next?
As global travel rebounds, the demand for visitor visas to Australia is expected to continue to rise. With refusal rates increasing and the Department placing more scrutiny on applicants from high-risk countries, if plan to travel you should plan well in advance and seek professional assistance to ensure a smooth application process and mitigate the risk of refusal.
For expert guidance on navigating the visitor visa application process, contact Stone Group Lawyers today to book an initial consultation. Planning ahead could save valuable time and prevent the disappointment of an unfavourable decision. Australia awaits, but preparation is key to making your travel dreams to Australia a reality in 2024.
The above article published by Stone Group Lawyers is intended as general information only and is not legal advice on any subject matter. By viewing the above article, the reader understands there is no solicitor-client relationship between the reader and the article published. The above article should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a legal practitioner, and readers are urged to consult Stone Group Lawyers on any legal queries concerning a specific situation.