ICSOC 2008 - Australian Visa Information
Visitors to Australia REQUIRE a valid VISA, issued by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (see http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/business-visit-visa-options.htm). The visa application MUST be done OUTSIDE of Australia and the visa must be granted BEFORE the trip to Australia commences. In any case, we recommend applying for Australian visas AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
For holders of eVisitor eligible passports NEW
Starting with 27 October 2008, visitors from 35 European countries (all European Union countries plus several others; the full list is at: http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/evisitor/eligibility.htm) can apply online for the new Australian visitor visa called eVisitor (Subclass 651). Detailed information about this type of Australian visitor visa and appropriate forms are at: http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/evisitor/index.htm. The application for this type of Australian visitor visa is online-only and should be done at least 2 (two) weeks before travel to Australia.Note that the list of countries that are eligible for eVisitor includes both countries eligible for the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA, discussed bellow) visas and countries that are not eligible for ETA visas. Answers to frequently asked questions about the new eVisitor visa (e.g., about the relationships between eVisitor and ETA) are at: http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/evisitor/_pdf/faqs-for-evisitor.pdf.
For holders of ETA eligible passports
Visitors from a number of developed countries (e.g., the USA, Japan,...; the full list is at http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/956-977/eligibility.htm) can apply online for the Electronic Travel Authority - ETA (Business Entrant - Short Validity) Subclass 977 visa. The application should be done at least 2 (two) weeks before travel to Australia. Detailed information about this type of Australian visitor visa and appropriate forms are at: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/956-977/index.htm. Visitors from ETA-eligible countries also have an option to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority - ETA (Business Entrant - Long Validity) Subclass 956 visa, but applications for the latter type of visa cannot be done online (and are more expensive).For others
Visitors from the other countries have to apply at an Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate (or, in some countries Australian Service Delivery Partners - SDP), as listed at: http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas/. Most ICSOC 2008 attendees will have to apply for a Business (Short Stay) Subclass 456 visa. Detailed information about this type of Australian visitor visa and appropriate forms are at: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/456/index.htm. Note that the processing time for this type of Australian visa is about 4 (four) to 6 (six) weeks, so applications should be made AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. One of the documents needed for this type of visa (and similar visa types) is an official invitation letter from ICSOC 2008 organisers.Official Invitation Letter
ICSOC 2008 attendees who need such an official invitation letter to get a visa for Australia should e-mail (as soon as possible) ICSOC 2008 Local Organisation Co-chair Vladimir Tosic to his FirstName.hisLastName at nicta.com.au. This e-mail MUST contain "ICSOC 2008 Visa" in the Subject line and the following information in the message body:
- Last name (as it appears in the passport)
- First and middle names (in full)
- Title (e.g., Prof., Dr., etc), if any
- Gender (female or male)
- Date of birth
- Country that issued the passport (e.g., India, PR China, etc)
- Passport number
- Passport expiry date
- Country of residence
- Affiliation (e.g., employer, university for students)
- Job title (e.g., Professor, Ph.D. student, Researcher, etc)
- Contact e-mail
- Contact telephone number
- Full contact address (work or home)
- Contact fax
- Paper title, for paper authors only
- Paper type (e.g., full, short, workshop, etc), for paper authors only
- Intended period of stay in Australia, if already known (if not, this can be left blank)
The registration for the ICSOC 2008 conference (and/or workshops) MUST be completed before the invitation letter can be sent. Thus, the proof of ICSOC 2008 registration MUST be attached to this invitation letter request e-mail.
Any further inquiries about the invitation letter for Australian visa purposes should be directed to Vladimir Tosic (using the e-mail address given above). The best source of information about Australian visas is the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship(http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/business-visit-visa-options.htm).