Australia is improving its visa services

THE OPENING of two Australian visa application centres in Port Moresby and Lae will result in faster processing of applications.

Australian High Commissioner Ian Kemish has announced changes that will see visa lodgement hours extended from 8.30am-4.30pm on weekdays, almost double existing access times.

Phone lines will also be open to handle questions and enquiries from 8.30am until 7pm on weekdays.

“We’ve listened to the feedback from our clients, and I am pleased to announce the establishment of two Australian visa application centres in PNG,” Mr Kemish said.

“I am especially happy to say that travellers in Lae will now find it considerably easier to gain access to visa services.

“As Australia’s closest neighbour and the largest Pacific Island country, it is only right that it is here that Australia looks to improve our visa processing systems in the Pacific,” he said.

Work on opening the new shopfronts is underway, and the offices will be open to the public between September and October. Staff will be trained to a professional standard and applicants’ personal information will be protected in line with Australia’s privacy rules.

Applications will continue to be assessed by the visa and immigration office at the Australian High Commission.

Source: Australian High Commission

Comments

[Peter Kranz]

Not quite on-topic, but friends might be happy to hear that my wife Rose has just been granted her permanent residency visa (it took us nearly three years). The wheels of immigration grind exceeding slow, but exceeding fine.

[Reginald Renagi]

Ditto for me too, Simon.

[Simon Merton]

Too little too late. PNG should put a blanket ban on visas on arival Australians coming to PNG until they reciprocate.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/austpngvisapolicy/