Australian Consulate-General
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Visas and Immigration

Visa, Immigration and Citizenship

Visas and Immigration

English | Vietnamese 

Latest news

Australian Government’s Migration Strategy

On Monday 11 December 2023, the Australian Government released its Migration Strategy, which sets out plans for reforming Australia’s migration system so that it aligns with the current and future needs of the nation and will help build a prosperous and secure Australia.

For further information about the Migration Strategy and specific reforms, see Migration Strategy (homeaffairs.gov.au)

For the latest immigration and citizenship news, see News archive.

Pre-lodgement enquiries

Visa and citizenship applications are managed by the Department of Home Affairs. Australian Consulate-General and Australian Embassy staff in Vietnam are unable to assist with general visa or citizenship enquiries.

The Department of Home Affairs website has the most up to date and comprehensive information on applying for visas and citizenship. The website also has useful definitions and tools to help you understand the department’s requirements. Visit the website at Immigration and citizenship.

If you are having trouble locating information on the department’s website, the Home Affairs Digital Assistant may be able to help. The Digital Assistant can help you find information on Australian visas, citizenship and border entry. Visit the Immigration and citizenship website, and click the Ask a question button to get started.

Please also visit our Frequently Asked Questions and Specific visa information and checklists sections below for information about lodging certain types of applications in Vietnam, with information both in English and Vietnamese.

Post-lodgement enquiries

The Department of Home Affairs does not provide pre-lodgement migration advice. However, if you have a specific enquiry in relation to an application that has already been lodged with the Department (but not yet decided), and the information on this website and the department’s main website does not answer your question, you can send your enquiry to the department by completing the online Australian Immigration Enquiry Form at Australian Immigration Enquiry Form (homeaffairs.gov.au).

Global Service Centre

If you require additional information, you may telephone the Global Service Centre (GSC) on +61 2 6196 0196, Monday to Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm (local time).

International calls may be subject to charges imposed by your local carrier. You may wish to consider using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider to avoid potentially high charges.

Using an interpreter

When you call the GSC, select option 6 to engage a Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) interpreter in your language. Option 6 can be selected straight after dialling the GSC number.

Alternatively, a TIS interpreter can be engaged directly via:

Check [your application] twice, submit [your application] once

In order to help us process your application faster, there are things you can do to make sure that when you submit your visa application it is ‘decision ready’.  For further information about this, see Check twice, submit once (homeaffairs.gov.au).

Note - If any of your supporting documentation is not in English, you will need to include a translation in English, as well as a copy of the original document. Each translated document must include (in English) the translator’s:

  • full name, address and telephone number; and
  • qualifications and experience in the language they are translating.

Note - We recommend that you lodge your application early and you book your flight only after your visa has been granted. The Australian Government does not accept any responsibility or liability for financial losses related to the booking of flights and accommodation, which are incurred by applicants whose visa application was finalised later than expected or whose application was ultimately unsuccessful.

Travel to Australia during peak holiday seasons

If you are planning to visit Australia during upcoming summer holidays, we encourage you to apply as early as possible and submit complete applications, including English translations of documents not issued in English.

For further information on how to lodge a complete application for a visitor visa, see Applying for a visitor visa (homeaffairs.gov.au)

Please also review the Vietnamese-specific Temporary Entry Visa (subclass 600) checklist below.

Citizenship ‘facilitation’ letters

The Australian Embassy and Australian Consulate-General are unable to provide ‘facilitation letters’ or ‘certificates of nationality’ for children born in Vietnam to Australian parents or to one parent of Australian nationality and one parent of another nationality.

The Embassy and Consulate-General understand that some local authorities in Vietnam have sometimes requested parents to produce ‘facilitation letters’ or ‘certificates of nationality’ in order to obtain a birth certificate for their child.

Under Australian law, a child born outside Australia to an Australian citizen parent is not automatically an Australian citizen. They are required to lodge an application for Australian Citizenship by Descent with the Australian Government and await a decision regarding citizenship.

Allegations related to suspicious border activities

​​​​​​​​​​​If it doesn’t feel right, flag it anonymously with Border Watch. Border Watch is the single collection point for the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force (ABF) for allegations related to suspicious border activities and is not limited to immigration and citizenship. One small observation could help stop a much larger border crime.  You can report suspicious immigration, customs and border related activity via the Border Watch Online Report.

Also, please see below for information about scams specifically operating in Vietnam.

Compliments, complaints and suggestions

Your feedback is valuable to the Department of Home Affairs. The department uses your feedback to improve services and investigate and respond to any issues of concern. You can find more information on the department’s website at Compliments, complaints and suggestions.

Frequently Asked Questions

See our pages in English and in Vietnamese for more information on:

  • How to apply for a visa
  • Application fees
  • Processing times
  • Biometrics

Vietnam-specific visa information and checklists

Vietnam information

 

Last updated 05.04.2024