Priority Service for Visitor visa applications in the United Arab Emirates

Priority Service for Visitor visa applications in the UAE

We now offer a premium service providing priority processing to certain Visitor visa applicants.

UAE passport holders applying for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) at our Australian Visa Application Centre in Dubai or Abu Dhabi will be able to access the optional Priority (fast-track) Service, for an additional fee of AUD $1000 (payable in UAE dirhams).

We endeavour to finalise fast-track visa applications within 48 hours (excluding weekends and public holidays) after we receive the application at our office at the Australian Consulate-General, Dubai.

Please be aware: we do not guarantee that fast-track applications will be finalised within that 48-hour timeframe. If delays occur (irrespective of whether the delays are caused by the us, the visa applicant, or another person or organisation) or if the Visitor visa application is refused - the fast-track fee will not be refunded.

The Department of Home Affairs does not recommend this service for applicants who have known health or character issues which will require further assessment, or an adverse immigration history.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully consider their personal circumstances before engaging the Priority (fast-track) Service.

Please note: applicants requesting urgent processing on compelling and compassionate grounds will be subject to normal priority processing arrangements, and will not be required to pay the Priority Service fee.

Priority Service - FAQs

What is the Priority (fast-track) Service?
Who is eligible?
How do I apply?
What is the cut-off time for submission of a Priority Service application at the Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC)?
Does the 48 hour processing time start when I submit the application to the AVAC?
Am I guaranteed a visa in 48 hours? Can I get a refund of the Priority Service fee if my application is delayed or refused?
I would like to know the status of my Priority Service application, who should I contact?
A family member in Australia is critically ill and I need to travel urgently. Do I need to pay the Priority Service fee for my application to receive priority processing?
If I send my visa application by post or courier - or if another person submits the application on my behalf, can I use the Priority Service?
Is the Priority Service available for all Australian visa categories ?
Is the Priority Service available to all passport holders in the UAE?
What is the usual processing time for a Visitor visa application lodged in the UAE?

1. What is the Priority – or fast-track - service?

This is a new premium service for priority processing of Visitor visas (subclass 600, Business or Tourist Stream) which is being trialled in the UAE. For an additional Priority Service fee of AUD $1000 (AED2940) processing of the visitor visa application will be prioritised. The majority of Priority Service applications will be finalised within 48 hours of being received by the Australian Consulate-General in Dubai.

All applicants must meet the legal requirements set out in migration legislation for the grant of a visitor visa, including the requirement that applicants undertake and meet relevant health, character and security checks.

Applicants should note that there is no guarantee that the visa application will be finalised within 48 hours, and that the priority service fee is not refundable in the event of a delay – whatever the reason – or if the visa application is refused.

2. Who is eligible?

The Priority Service is available to Emirati passport holders living in the UAE who pay the AUD $1000 (AED2940) Priority Service fee and lodge a Visitor visa (subclass 600) application – Tourist or Business stream – at one of the Australian Visa Application Centres in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Note that the Department does not recommend this service for applicants who have known health or character issues which will require further assessment, or an adverse immigration history. The priority service fee will not be refunded if there are processing delays or if the visa application is refused.

3. How do I apply?

Applicants must first make an appointment to lodge a Visitor visa application (subclass 600) at an Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) in the UAE (Dubai or Abu Dhabi). To make an appointment online, go to the AVAC homepage: www.vfsglobal.com/Australia/GCC/

In order to request the priority service for a visa application, and authorise payment, applicants must include a signed Form 1472 - Visitor visa - Business Visitor and Tourist streams - Fast-track processing. This form is available at the AVAC.

Applicants must sign Form 1472 to acknowledge that they understand the terms of the priority service; pay the visa application charge and the priority service charge.

Applicants can submit the application form and pay the charges at the AVAC.

4. What is the cut-off time for submission of a Priority Service application at the Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC)?

At the AVAC in Abu Dhabi: the cut-off time for submission of fast-track applications is 13:00, Sunday - Thursday.

At the AVAC in Dubai: until 16:00, Sunday - Thursday.

Priority Service applications lodged after these cut-off times will be considered to have been submitted the following business day.

5. Does the 48 hour processing time start when I submit the application to the AVAC?

No. The 48 hour processing time starts when the complete visa application and priority service request is received by the Australian Consulate-General in Dubai.

6. Am I guaranteed a visa in 48 hours? Can I get a refund of the Priority Service fee if my application is delayed or refused?

Although the vast majority will be finalised within 48 hours of the Department of Home Affairs receiving a complete Priority Service application, this is not guaranteed as a departmental officer may need to request further information before the application can be finalised.

Requests from our officers for further information before reaching a decision may mean that some applications are finalised outside of the intended 48 hour processing timeframe.

All visa applicants must meet the legal requirements set out in migration legislation for the grant of a visitor visa, including the requirement that applicants undertake and meet relevant health, character and security checks.

The Priority Service fee will not be refunded if there are processing delays or if the visa application is refused.

7. I would like to know the status of my Priority Service visa application, who should I contact?

If you have already submitted your Priority Service application at the AVAC in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, you can track your application. Go to: www.vfsglobal.com/Australia/GCC/ or contact the AVAC helpline on: +971 4 205 5900.

8. A family member in Australia is critically ill and I need to travel urgently. Do I need to pay the Priority Service fee for my application to receive priority processing?

Applicants applying for urgent processing under compelling and compassionate grounds will not be required to pay the Priority Service fee.

9. If I send my visa application by post or courier - or if another person submits the application on my behalf, can I use the Priority Service?

No, you must submit your application in-person at the Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC). Couriered or mailed-in applications are not eligible for the Priority Service.

To use the Priority Service you must make an appointment at the AVAC in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Go to: www.vfsglobal.com/Australia/GCC/ or contact the AVAC helpline on: +971 4 205 5900.