A Journey to the World of Kangaroos

Kangaroo Island, South Australia - Australian Travel Visa

Kangaroo Island, considered the gem of South Australia, is an ideal choice for adventure seekers. This island is famous for its unique landscapes, wild nature, and rich flora and fauna. If you have a desire to be immersed in nature and see kangaroos that can only be found in Australia, we highly recommend that you read this blog carefully.

One of the most famous spots on Kangaroo Island is Flinders Chase National Park. In this park, you can witness natural wonders such as “Remarkable Rocks” and “Admirals Arch”. Remarkable Rocks are renowned for their peculiar rock formations, shaped by winds and waves over millions of years. Admirals Arch, on the other hand, is known as the habitat of sea lions.

Although Kangaroo Island is famous for its kangaroos, it is also home to koalas, various bird species, and even small penguins. In places like Seal Bay, you can observe how sea lions live in their natural habitat. This is particularly interesting for children.

Kangaroo Island is famous not only for its natural beauty but also for its delicious cuisine. The island’s local products, especially honey, cheese, and wine, have won great admiration among visitors. If you love wine, you can visit the island’s wineries and have the opportunity to taste local wines.

To reach Kangaroo Island, you need to drive from Adelaide to the Cape Jervis port and then take a ferry to the island. The island can be visited year-round, but the most ideal times are spring (September–November) and summer (December–February). During these periods, the weather is mild and nature looks more lively.

The first step to traveling to Kangaroo Island, one of Australia’s most interesting places, is choosing the appropriate visa type. For Azerbaijani citizens, a short-term tourist visa called the “Subclass 600 Visitor Visa” is required. With this visa, you can easily explore Kangaroo Island and other must-see places on the continent. Read on to learn about the visa application process.

Types of Australian Visas

The trip you wish to make to Australia can be undertaken through an Australian tourist visa. Reasons for applying for this type of visa include tourism, visiting family or friends, business trips, medical examinations or treatments, short-term studies, exchange programs, and other temporary circumstances. In fact, there are various types of Australian visas available, but Azerbaijani citizens mainly apply for a short-term tourist visa. If you intend to pursue long-term education in Australia (such as undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral studies) or wish to work permanently in an organization based here, you can apply for a national visa provided you have an official invitation or acceptance letters from the relevant education or work authorities.

Australian Tourist Visa

The Australian visa is available in both single-entry and multiple-entry variants. Additionally, you have the option to apply for a short-term visa that only covers your first trip or for multiple-entry, long-term visas. This choice depends on your travel purpose and duration.

It should be noted that the Australian tourist visa is generally granted to applicants for a period of 3 months, and in some cases, for a year with the possibility of staying up to 3 months at a time. However, this period can vary depending on different circumstances.

Document Requirements for the Australian Visa Application

When applying for an Australian visa, you must submit the following documents:

The original of your foreign passport and a photocopy of its first page
If available, photocopies of your previous visas and entry stamps
A photocopy of your ID card
A certificate from your employer* and, if applicable, a salary slip (for students, a certificate from the relevant educational institution*)
A bank statement* and extract from a bank account opened in your name (detailed information regarding the amount is provided below)
If available, extracts of properties registered in your name* and a copy of your vehicle’s tax passport
A document confirming your marital status* (if you are married, your marriage certificate; if you have children under 18, their birth certificates and/or a photocopy of the document regarding the annulment of your marriage)
A 3.5x4.5 sized photograph with a white background
Flight ticket confirmations for your trip
Reservation confirmations of the hotels where you will be staying during your trip
An application form filled out in English
If the application is not for tourism, an official invitation letter related to the business trip, event, or meeting

The documents marked with an “*” must be submitted to the embassy in English. If the original language of any document is not English and you have obtained it in Azerbaijani, then each such document must be translated and certified into English by a notary.

After your documents are accepted, the embassy may request additional documents during your visa procedure. In some cases, the Australian embassy has required additional documents as part of the visa process.

The amount in your bank account depends on the dates of your trip – i.e., the duration of your stay in Australia, the prices of your booked flight tickets, hotels, and other factors. In general, it is advisable to have at least 5,000–7,000 AZN (or the equivalent in euros or US dollars) in your bank account for a one-week trip. This amount should fully cover your travel plan. When calculating, it is recommended that you indicate an amount slightly higher than the total calculated sum, taking into account the cost of your flight and hotel bookings and an average daily expenditure of 70–80 dollars for each day spent in the country.

If you are operating as an entrepreneur, you can submit documents that replace the employer certificate (such as a photocopy of your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), a certificate from the Ministry of Taxes regarding your tax period, and an extract from your company’s registry). If you are unemployed, studying, or if you have another individual sponsoring your travel expenses, you must then submit a photocopy of that person’s ID card, an employer certificate (if the sponsor is an entrepreneur, the documents mentioned above), a bank statement and extract from a bank account (this account may be in both your name and the sponsor’s), a document confirming your familial relationship (for example, if you are a parent, your own birth certificate; if you are siblings, both birth certificates) and a sponsorship document. Also, if the applicant is under 18 years of age, traveling alone, or traveling with only one parent, a photocopy of the exit permit document from the other parent must also be provided.

It is important to note that each document you submit, such as the TIN, the certificate regarding your tax period from the Ministry of Taxes, the extract from your company’s registry, or the sponsorship document, must be translated and certified into English by a notary.

Visa Procedure

The visa application for Australia is conducted online, and once approved, the visa is issued in electronic format, meaning that a visa sticker is not affixed to the passport. The visa decision is made by the Australian Embassy in Ankara. In many cases, there is no need to visit the embassy in person; however, in rare cases due to the complexity of the application, the consul may invite the applicant for a personal interview at the embassy in Ankara.

First, you create an account on the online visa platform, then log in and select the appropriate visa type, fill out the online application form, and based on the responses you provide, a list of required documents is generated. The scanned copies of these required documents must be uploaded to the system.

Azerbaijani citizens must apply for the “Subclass 600 Visitor Visa” for short-term tourism, business trips, participation in any events, or family and friend visits.

The visa fee is 180 AUD (approximately 110 USD), and the decision is usually given within 8–24 weeks.

Chances of Obtaining an Australian Visa

As with visa applications to the embassies of all countries, your chances of obtaining an Australian visa depend on the state of your personal profile. Factors that can increase your chances include the stability of your employment and the quality of your position, having a monthly income above the standard salary range (it has been observed that individuals earning around 700–800 AZN per month have been granted visas), demonstrating that your bank account holds a sufficient amount to cover all your travel expenses, having strong ties to your home country (for example, registered property in your name, your family, and children), and a solid travel history. For individuals without a previous travel history, i.e., those who have not held a Schengen, UK, US, or other visas, applying for an Australian visa is considered relatively risky. However, if other aspects of your profile are strong, your chances of obtaining an Australian visa may increase even without an extensive travel history. In any case, a robust travel history is a crucial factor in the granting of an Australian visa.