Visa rules

Participants wishing to attend the ITUC World Congress will need a visa to enter Australia.

The ITUC has been in close contact with both the ACTU and Australian Department of Home Affairs and we can advise you of the following visa recommendations for all participants.

All visas are electronic, and all applications must be made online.

Depending on the issuing country of your passport, you will have to apply for one of the following visas (by order of preference):

Subclass 651 - eVisitor
Eligible countries: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/evisitor-651#Eligibility

Requirements:
Apply from outside of Australia
A valid passport from an eligible country

Justification:
Undertake business visitor activities: take part in a conference.

Stay:
Up to 3 months at a time

Cost:
Free

Processing times:
75% of applications: Less than 1 day
90% of applications: 6 days

This visa can be requested at any time between now and Congress. You don’t need a flight or hotel booking to apply.

Despite quick processing times, it can sometimes take more than a week to get the visa. It is therefore strongly recommended to apply for this visa as soon as possible.

Full details about the subclass 651 eVisitor visa: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/evisitor-651#Overview


Subclass 601 – Electronic Travel Authority
Eligible countries: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601#Eligibility

Requirements:
Apply from outside of Australia
A valid passport from an eligible country
Use the Australian ETA app to apply

Justification:
Undertake business visitor activities: take part in a conference.

Stay:
Up to 3 months at a time

Cost:
There is no Visa Application Charge. There may be an application service charge of AUD20.

Processing times:
This visa can be requested anytime between now and Congress. You don’t need a flight or hotel booking to apply.

Australian authorities do not provide information about processing times. Since it can sometimes take a few weeks to get the visa, it is therefore strongly recommended to apply for this visa as soon as possible.

Full details about the subclass 601 – Electronic Travel Authority: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601#Overview


Subclass 600 – Business visitor stream

Eligible countries: All countries not eligible for a subclass 651 or a subclass 601 visa.

Requirements:
Apply from outside of Australia
A valid passport from an eligible country

To successfully apply for this visa, you will be required to provide additional documents:

1. Identity documents:
Your passport and, if available, a copy of your national identity card.

2. An invitation from a host organisation:
The ITUC will send a personalised invitation from the host organisations (ACTU and ITUC) to all eligible participants.

3. Conference registration details:
The ITUC will send a registration confirmation letter to all participants

4. A letter from your employer:
You should provide a letter from your union or your employer (if you are not employed by a union) stating that you are currently employed and that they expect you to return to your job. The letter could also indicate how long you have been in your current employment. It is also recommended to include in the letter that you are visiting Australia to attend the ITUC World Congress and underline the importance of your participation in the event.

5. Your plans for your stay in Australia:
You should provide all the relevant information regarding your travel to Australia: flight booking, hotel booking, health insurance, …

6. You may also be asked to prove that you have reasons to return home:
Any proof could be useful for your application, for example proof that you have close family members in your country (marriage certificate, children’s birth certificate), proof you own property in your home country.

7. You may also be asked to prove that you have enough funds for your stay in Australia.

All non-English documents must be translated into English. On each translation, the translator should include the following information about themselves: full name, address, phone number and qualifications and experience in the language they are translating.

All these documents must be scanned or photographed in colour and must be clear and legible. If a document is more than one page, save it all as one file.

Biometrics:
Visa applicants outside of Australia will need to provide biometrics when they apply for a visa that is part of the Australian biometrics program, or where they are from a country, or located in a country at time of application that is part of the Australian biometrics program.

For information regarding Australia’s biometric program including visas and countries that are part of the program, please see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/biometrics

Justification:
Take part in a conference.

Stay:
Up to 3 months

Cost:
AUD150

Processing times:
Despite the processing times announced on the home affairs website, it is required to apply for this visa 6 to 8 weeks before travelling to Australia. Applying more than 8 weeks in advance is not recommended by the Department of Home Affairs.

Full details about the subclass 600 – Business Visitor Stream: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/visitor-600/business-visitor-stream#Overview


To facilitate getting your visa, we remind you to only apply for one of these three visa subclasses. Any other visa subclass application may complicate your receipt of a visa.

Any participants who experience difficulties obtaining a visa are requested to contact the ITUC immediately, citing their full name, gender, date of birth, place of birth, nationality and passport details (number, date and place of issue and expiry date).