Australian Embassy
Russian Federation
Embassy address: 10A/2 Podkolokolny Pereulok, Moscow - Telephone: 956 6070 - Fax: 956 6170

Applying for a visa in Moscow - general information

Who Needs a Visa


If you are not an Australian Citizen then you need a visa to transit, visit or migrate to Australia, regardless of your reason for traveling.

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Visa types

• Visa types

See: http://www.russia.embassy.gov.au/mscw/VisaTypes.html

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 How to Apply for a Visa

1) Fill out the Form

• Forms can be downloaded from the following link: Application forms

• If you can not find the form you are looking for above, all immigration forms referred to on this website can be found on the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website.
See: http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/index.htm

2) Attach Two Photographs

You will need to submit two recent photographs with your application. Photographs may be either in colour or in black and white. Photographs should be passport size (there are no measurement requirements or restrictions).  

 3) Lodge a complete application

You do not have to attend this office in person to apply for a visa. A visa application can be lodged by mail or courier, or an authorised third person such as an agent.
For our mailing and street address;
See: Contact us

Please scroll down for information on how to lodge a complete application. All application forms must be completed in English. You will also be required to pay the scheduled charge for the appropriate type of visa. 

Fees

Charges for visa applications, and fees for other services, must be paid at the time the application is lodged.

The Australian Embassy in Moscow accepts payment for visa applications by cash or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, JCB and STB card) in Russian Roubles.

If you intend to post your visa application and pay by credit card, the credit card holder must print, complete and include the following form together with the visa application. If you do not complete the correct form or if we are unable to deduct the charge from your credit card, the visa application will be returned to you un-processed. See: Credit Card Authorisation Form

Migration agents and tour operators submitting group applications with a single credit card payment covering all Visa Application Charges (VACs) in person, must provide details of all applications for which the credit card payment applies (ie list of applicants, visa type and fee amount for each applicant).

For information on charges, please refer to the DIAC website.
See: http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/990i.pdf

To convert the amount from Australian Dollars into Rubles:
See: http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/990i/converter.htm

Personal information and authorising other people

If you wish to authorise a person to act and receive communication on your behalf, you will need to advise us in writing. To authorise a registered migration agent, or authorised recipient (any person who is not a registered migration agent), please complete form 956 or the relevant portion of your application form.

Copies of the forms can be obtained from the DIAC website.
See: http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/956.pdf

We are unable to discuss visa applications (including reasons for decisions) with friends or sponsors, unless we have specific authorisation from the applicant. Where a decision is made to refuse to grant a visa, applicants are provided a letter setting out reasons for that decision.

Complete Applications

It is important that you submit all documentation in support of your application at the time you apply for the visa. If you do not do so, the processing of your application may be delayed, or a decision to refuse to grant you a visa may be made. (The Migration Act 1958 provides that a decision may be made on your application at any time on the basis of the available documentation and without any further reference to you)

If you are requested by the Embassy to provide additional information, please make sure that you provide, in writing; your name, date of birth, passport and file reference details with this information.

Documents in languages other than English

All documentation provided in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English language translation. Documents should be translated by an accredited translator and then certified. Please note that photocopied documents are not acceptable, you must provide notarised (or certified) copies of documents.

Additional requirements for children under 18 years of age

In any application for a child under 18 years of age, all people with custody of thechild (usually the parents) who are not travelling to Australia with the child must provide consent for the child to travel to Australia.

The documents you should provide with the application by a child under 18 are:
• certified or notarised copy of birth certificate showing both parents’ names;

AND

• certified permission from the parent/parents not traveling with the child, approving the child’s travel to Australia for the proposed period;

• copy of passport identification pages of the parent/parents not traveling with the child or other identity documents with signature;
OR
• a legal document (such as a court decision) depriving the non-traveling parent of parental rights.

 

Processing Times

Average processing times for visa applications lodged in Moscow are listed on the pages of this website related to the particular type of visa.

Progress Enquiries and Advice


DIAC is committed to meeting the service standards published by the Australian Government, in order to provide effective and efficient service to you
See: http://www.immi.gov.au/about/charters/client-services-charter/standards/index.htm

We therefore seek your assistance in minimising follow-up enquiries, and request that you do not make progress enquiries about your application within the service standard period applicable to your application. Progress enquiries deflect resources away from processing applications and may delay the processing of all applications, including your own. If, however, you do need to contact our office, See: Contact Us.

Please note that under the DIAC Code of Conduct, Visa & Immigration office staff are prevented from giving migration advice, or their professional assessment to applicants, on the likely chances of success of any future visa applications. It is only after the application is lodged that the decision-maker may make a careful assessment of the merits of the case.

Migration agents

If you are considering using a migration agent to help you lodge a migration visa application;
See: Migration Agents

If you have been granted a visa

If you have been granted a visa you will need to submit your passport to the Australian Embassy in Moscow to have a visa label “evidenced” in to your passport.

Please send us your passport by registered mail, courier or bring it in person. If your visa was granted in Australia, make sure that you include a copy of the letter from the processing office.

If you are not coming in person, you must provide us with written authorisation stating you are allowing a third party to collect your passport on your behalf.

Make sure that you tell us how you want us to return your passport.

If you live outside of Russia you may:

• collect your passport in person; or
• arrange for a courier or third party to collect your passport. Please provide an authorisation letter and note you will be responsible for all arrangements and associated costs.

If you live in Russia you may:

• collect your passport in person
• arrange for a courier to collect your passport. Please provide an authorisation letter and note you will be responsible for all arrangements and associated costs.
• arrange for your passport to be sent by registered mail. Please provide an authorisation letter stating we may send your passport by registered mail and include your return address with index code. Please note it can sometimes take 3-4 weeks for your passport to reach you by registered mail.



 October 2007