Not really, if not in a hurry and happy to provide your entire financial history, I think the ETA is still the cheaper way to go.

Hopefully, there’ll be fewer plane jumpers from Malaysia and we’ll be green lighted for easy ETA approvals in the future

Just sharing my experience in applying Aus visa using ETA last year:

take the chance actually bought the flight ticket then only applied for VISA, have around 4 months ahead of time to get it approved and fly.

Heard cases of not easy getting VISA approved, research around and seek some advice at various forum and group chat. I got it approved within a week with me and my wife and my kid (1 year old)

A note, for the requested supporting i put to the max to avoid any follow up. ie; annual leave approval by superior/company, epf statement, investment in shares, house loan, payslip, all my bank accounts, flight tickets, accommodation details, marriage cert, job letter offer and etc.

Was worried initially but the outcome was positive, the VISA was approved within a week with no hiccups.

This post has been edited by haru20: Aug 22 2024, 10:08 AM

So you and your wife and your kids ETA application was not pulled for "additional processing"?

I ain't old folks, but visa approved is less than 5 mins.
entire family also same. less than 5 mins approved.

Nope, i applied as a group application/family application. can indicate and select inside ETA.

Hi All,

Do i still need to pay other fees after getting the ETA granted?

Saw there is this AUD190 charges from some of the members here for the visa?

What's the difference actually?

Thanks

nice, so they are easing on the visa applications dy

have a safe trip

this was few years back. now not sure how is the approval speed like.

Aiyo, give false hope....

Before covid, hardly anyone get called for further documents lah.

But after reopening in early 2022, the screening kicks in.

600 visa vs 601 visa.

Google them.

Hi all,

I am flying to Australia tomorrow and is wondering if we can pack our supplements like vitamin C, fish oil, caffein pills, biotin, piriton, panadol and such to the country.

Do we have to declare these supplement and OTC medication? For some supplements, I will just pack it in a small container and won't have labels. Will that be an issue?

Lastly, when do we need to declare it? Upon arriving in the airport?

Literally just declare everything - as ABF website says: "Don't be sorry, just declare it" except they fall into the "Goods without declaring" category (only 5 items).

You can search for details here as they provided pretty comprehensive documentation: https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving...n/list-of-items
One potential issue is the "no label" as usually it's safer to bring it with commercial packaging intact - I did that when bringing my own medicine supplies and they did check.

Have a safe flight tomorrow!

This post has been edited by polarzbearz: Aug 24 2024, 03:22 AM

Small amount personal use item no problem

Don't bring any food if you can. Otherwise declare all, let them decide which are ok.

Actually, Australia is "supplement" heaven, why bring any? Just buy them there. People actually buy in bulk to bring home.

Current VISA application Status... still pending...

Me : Day +20
Wife : Day +6

.............. 2+ more weeks before planned fly out. I still havent purchased the plane tickets. Wife depressed liao... all that effort planning the road trip...

Timing this holiday is once in a lifetime. Can never repeat again...

This post has been edited by wearwolf: Aug 26 2024, 09:26 AM

what about high blood pressure medication pills? My doctor did write up the presciption but need to declare?

Why didn't read or research before buying flight ticket? Already many people said will be long time for approval, especially if you are <30. Some more your wife submitted so much later than you.

Prepare all your financial documents. Loan, payslip, mortgage, tax, EPF, grant. Employer letter also. Throw into system where they ask for additional documents.

Write email to this few emails to try and ask expedite.

etakl@dfat.gov.au
visakl@dfat.gov.au

Use this form and send to all Southeast Asia offices and ask request for expediting. Attach documents and all that if can.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-suppor...on-enquiry-form


Be polite. Also be prepared to burn ticket or postpone, you applied very late.

Less than 3 months supply don't need. If scared or don't know, just write declare and go to declare lane, no big deal. They will just wave you go if nothing serious.

Honestly, you’ll be fine with medications for personal use in amounts less than 3 months.

Note: airline food also count. Peanuts from Mas don't keep in bag, throw or leave in plane

Yes, it’s better to declare if in doubt. I have taken in many food products (with proper packaging and labelling) eg keropok, peppers, curry paste etc. Never have any issues, they didn’t even ask me to open my bags to check those declared items, just ticked and waved through. Go watch Australian borders security at YT to get a better understanding of what you can bring or cannot bring

This post has been edited by nauticat99: Aug 26 2024, 12:26 PM