ETA app

Link? The App has only one function: application for 601 ETA.

I realised what your problem is. Explained earlier in the thread as above.

Not "rejected outright", but requested to submit supporting documents in 3 out of 4 applications...

I suspect it wouldn't matter, unless you have a very elderly dependant and/or underaged children travelling with you.

This post has been edited by limeuu: Mar 5 2024, 12:44 PM

Worldwide, 2% of ETA applications get called for documents. Because it's such a small number, we don't realise there is an algorithm that flags suspicious applications for further investigation.

It's 75% for Malaysia at the moment, since reopening in 2022. But that means a quarter gets it immediately. Both myself and my wife got our visa immediately when applied in January.

The majority of the 75% will also get approval after submitting the documents.

This post has been edited by limeuu: Mar 6 2024, 11:29 AM

A common mistake, and DoHA makes a lot of extra money from that confusion.

From now on, anyone intending to visit Australia, note that you're should apply and get your visa first BEFORE committing money to any travel arrangements.

The ETA does NOT need any travel arrangements to be made to apply.

Most of if us have no problems scanning the info page, and using NFA to read the microchip.

Try get someone else to help. Can use anyone's phone. need not be travellers ones.

This post has been edited by limeuu: Mar 26 2024, 07:36 AM

it is not required by DoHA to have your supporting documents "certified". Having them certified will not improve your chances.

Most people will get their visas after the documents are submitted. The exact rejection rate is not known. They basically just want to know if you are a "overstay" and/or "asylum seeker" risk. The main indicators that your are a bone fide visitor are that you have a good reason to visit, enough funds, stable jobs to return to, stable address/place of abode (utility bills in your name etc), family and work commitments to return to (employer letter, children's school letters).

Be careful what you wish for. At least with the ETA(601) (btw your problem has nothing to do with the App), a quarter of applicants will get instant approval for just AUD20. The rest just need to take some time to submit some documents (no need "certification") and wait a few days (at least it's down from the 6 weeks in 2022).

If Australia removes Malaysia from the ETA programme, everybody will need to apply for the 600 visitor visa and pay AUD190 each. Plus mandatory to submit supporting documents. Plus medical examination for above 60 yos.

You prefer that?

This post has been edited by limeuu: Mar 31 2024, 11:28 PM

It's from official Oz immigration statistics. 75% got called for further documents .

Compared to the average of 1% worldwide (refers to the ETA programme, which means generally low risks countries for visa overstay.)

I got instant approval in January.

You are waiting for a human yo look at you documents and make a decision.

When they first open for visitors in early 22, it took up to 6 weeks to process as they were short of manpower.

The processing time eventually dropped to a few days by the end of last year.

Looks like the queue is lengthening again.

Doesn't help that the labour government has reversed their post Covid enthusiasm for immigration and starting to close the door again. All categories of visa applications will balloon out. The contributory parent visa is now queue of 12 years from 4 before Covid.

Can still use autogate. Assuming the face recognition works.

It's based on having a machine readable passport. Not on what visa you use to enter with. I have never any problem using the autogate, but my wife has a problem with her face recognition, so many times get diverted to a human.

$20 vs 190, I am not complaining.

About 10 years ago, UK threatened to remove Malaysia's "visa free" (technically it's visa on arrival) status, but the Malaysian government appealed and they relented. It's not too bad now, as the visa abusers have reduced, and moved attention to Australia.

There is a risk Australia may remove Malaysia from the ETA list, they has already issued statements hinting at possible withdrawal.

This post has been edited by limeuu: Apr 25 2024, 08:52 AM

While 3/4 of ETA applications get pulled for further processing, the vast majority of applications get approved, the rejection rate is less than 5%.

Adelaide is the best performing MH destination becausf there is few competition.

The ETA is linked to the airlines reservation APIS system (hence pre Covid, travel agencies easily get the ETA for you as part of their services).

When you attempt to perform an online check-in, the airline reservation system automatically verify with Australian DIBP if a valid visa it attached to that passport. If yes, you proceed to check in. If no, your check-in fails and you will need to go to the counter to see a human before the flight.

I fail because of the problem with the Malaysian naming system in the passport. There is no given name in the Malaysian passport! Your whole name is your surname. So my flight booking name (based on surname and given name) is different from the passport and visa name, no valid visa turns up on the check-in. The human at the desk will need to change your booking name to your passport name, and then your visa appears.

In addition, an officer will often be at the departure gate. They are trained to pick up suspicious behaviour (drug mules, plane jumpers etc) and are empowered to deny boarding to anyone if they are suspicious.

Because the wages and currency difference is big enough to warrant the risk and trouble, and a reflection of how far Malaysia has lagged behind. The ETA is a loophole.

Of course many other countries are even further behind economically and would also love to also jump plane.

But they need the 600 visa pay $190, etc so that filtered most of them out.

They are there at the boarding gates in Changi. Of course you will not see them, as you go through from the KF first class lounge straight to your seat in the aircraft.