Australian Immigration News

Australia Announces Change to Visa Lodgement and Processing for Clients in Azerbaijan

As part of the DIAC Transformation Program, on September 3 the Department announced changes to visa lodgement and processing for clients in Azerbaijan.

According to the announcement, from September 3, 2012 all applications for Australian visas lodged by Azeri and other nationals residing in Azerbaijan will no longer be assessed and decided at the Australian Embassy, Moscow. Those applications will be transferred to the Australian Embassy, Ankara.

From that date, all new visa applications from Azeri and other nationals residing in Azerbaijan should be submitted to the Australian Embassy, Ankara by post or courier to:

• Postal Address: PK 32, Cankaya 06552, Ankara, Turkey
• Street Address: MNG Building, Ugur Mumcu Caddesi 88, 7th floor, Gaziosmanpasa, Ankara 06700, Turkey

The change does not apply to Azeri nationals who reside in Russia, which means those applicants should continue to lodge their visa applications at the Australian Embassy, Moscow. All visa applications lodged at the Australian Embassy, Moscow before September 3, 2012 will continue to be assessed and finalised by the Australian Embassy in Moscow.

In the announcement, the DIAC also noted that the Australian Embassy in Ankara only accepts Turkish lira as payment for visa applications. Visa applicants who require a medical examination should continue to approach the Australian panel doctor in Baku.