World Youth Day (WYD) 2008, 15 - 20 July 2008, Sydney, Australia

All international World Youth Day participants will need a visa to enter Australia for the event. You will be eligible to apply for the World Youth Day visa if you have registered for World Youth Day. Individual registrations for this site opened in mid-2007. The World Youth Day individual registration process will provide you with a comprehensive information pack, including visa application information for entry to Australia.

To register for World Youth Day online, see: http://www.wyd2008.org/

You will need to apply for a Tourist visa (Subclass 676) in order to attend World Youth Day. As a registered participant you will be entitled to apply for your visa free of Australian Government charges and IOM service charge, by following the process listed below.

Please note the following:

• You will NOT be able to undertake employment while you are in Australia;
• You are required to provide evidence that you have registered for the World Youth Day; and
• You must provide a letter of endorsement from the local bishop.

To make an application follow these steps:

1. Print a copy of the application form (number 48R – click here), complete it and sign.
2. If you are under 18:a written authorisation letter is required from both parents or guardians allowing you to travel. The signatures of the parents on the letter must be certified by the local authority. You will also need to submit evidence of your relationship with your parent/ guardian (for example, a copy of your birth certificate) and a copy of identification for your parent/ guardian showing their signature (for example, a passport/Identity Card).
3. Print a copy of the Details of Relatives form (click here), complete it and sign.
   
   Prepare your supporting documentation:

• A valid passport which does not expire before December 2008.
• 2 passport sized photographs (no more than 6 months old).
• 1 certified copy of the page of your passport that shows your name and photograph.
• Evidence that you will be able to support yourself while in Australia. This could include, any fundraising you have undertaken, bank statements for at least three months prior to the application, or evidence of financial support from a sponsoring organisation or family member/relative.
• Evidence of current and ongoing educational enrolment and/or employment in Vietnam.
• Certified copy of all pages of the current Household Registration Book. No translation required.
• Certified copy of Birth Certificate. No translation required.
• Original Curriculum Vitae (CV) certified by the local authority. Applicants employed by state-owned agencies/enterprises should have their CV verified by the employer. CV must not be more than 6 months old. No translation required.
• Evidence of current marital status (eg. Divorce certificate, Marriage certificate, etc.). No translation required.
• If working - full details of your work including your title, work address and work phone number and a letter from your employer confirming your leave
  (NOTE: It is important to do this otherwise there are likely to be delays to your application)
  

Application lodgement

Lodge your application with supporting documents at the following Office:

For additional information about visas for World Youth Day please visit the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) website, Visit: http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/world-youth-day08.htm#b

Australian Visa Application Process for Pilgrim wishing to travel from Vietnam - Questions and Answers on how to apply

1. I know that all international World Youth Day (WYD) participants will need a visa to enter Australia for the event.  I am a Vietnamese National what visa do I need?

All Vietnamese Nationals holding a Vietnamese passport will be required to apply for a visa through one of the 2 processes below.

1. Visa Application Charge (VAC) free WYD visa.

In order for pilgrim to be eligible for a VAC free visa you will need to register for the event through the WYD website and have your registration supported by your local bishop and by the nominated group leader.  More on this process in following questions.

The granting of a WYD visa is not automatic.  Each visa application for WYD will be assessed on its merits against the criteria for grant.  Registered pilgrims who do not meet these criteria will not be granted a visa.

Or

2. Normal visa processing not VAC free

• Pilgrims who are not  registered will not be eligible for a VAC free visa but are welcome to apply for a visa through normal processes.  This document does not outline the process for this type of visa application, please refer to the website http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors for further information.

Each visa application will be assessed on its merits against the criteria for grant.  Persons who do not meet these criteria will not be granted a visa.

2. How do I apply for a WYD Visa?

1. Make contact with your Church group and discuss your intended attendance at the event.

2. Go online to http://www.wyd2008.org and register yourself.  During this process you will be asked to provide a number of personal details along with the name of the group you will be going with and the details of your Parish and Diocese.

3. Once you have registered you will then have to wait.  While you are waiting the WYD Organisers will be doing 2 things:

Firstly, they will be checking with the Bishop you nomiated as to your involvement with the church and seeking his endorsement of your nomination. 

Secondly, WYD will contact the group leader you nominated to confirm your place in the group.  You must wait until your local Bishop has provided an endorsement of your nomination.  Your group leader will be able to advise when this process is complete.

3. What should I receive from WYD Organisers to confirm my registration?

Once registration has been confirmed by the WYD Organisers you will be advised.  You will need to supply this advice as part of your application as confirmation of your registration.

4. What do I do once I have this confirmation?

The WYD website will direct Pilgrims to the relevant Immigration visa application form (known as a form 48R) and to instructions for lodging your applications.  Pilgrims from Vietnam must also refer to a country specific checklist (provided above) which outlines additional documentation which must be submitted as part of your application. 

Please note that in addition to the abovementioned checklist, you are also required to:

• provide evidence that you have registered for the WYD as per Questions 3 above.   WYD Organisers will also provide a cover sheet that is to be attached to the top of the application papers.  
• A proposed itinerary covering the entire period that you intend to be in Australia.  This should include attending the WYD and activities either side of the event.

5. What do I do once I have completed the application form and have all my documentation together?

Pilgrims than need to lodge your application package, along with your group registration number and a cover sheet.

6. When should I lodge my application for visa?

Applications are able to be lodged after 1 November 2007 and before 1 June 2008, however, pilgrims are encouraged to lodge applications as soon as possible and not later than 8 weeks before their intended date of travel.  This will assist in avoiding unnecessary delays.

7. Where can I lodge?

Please refer to the application lodgement above.

8. Can I lodge by myself or should I lodge with other members of my group?

Pilgrims are encouraged to lodge their visa applications with their nominated group.  This will make it easier to identify individuals and groups.

Please note that if you are lodging your applications as part of a group you must be sure to complete "Part J - Options for receiving written communications" on the form 48R and the additional form 956 "Appointment of a migration agent or excempt agent or other authorised recipient" which allows a nominated person (your group leader) to receive information about your application. 

9. How much will my WYD visa cost?

If you register through the WYD Organisers and received your confirmation of enrolment from them than the visa is free of charge.  Please note this relates to the Visa Application Charge (VAC) for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and for the administrative fee of the AVAC.

If you are not registered through the WYD Organisers and still wish to travel to Australia for WYD than you must apply through normal immigration channels and VAC will apply.  Please access http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors for full details.

Please note that any fees charged by travel agents may still be payable.  Also any fees for required medicals will still be charged.

10. What happens to my application then?

The AVACs will give your application to DIAC at either the Australian Embassy, Hanoi or to the Australian Consulate-General, Ho Chi Minh City.  Once DIAC has received your application they will match your application to a confirmation list from WYD Organisers.  DIAC will then commence processing your application as normal.

11. What should I know about the visa process?

Applications will be processed pursuant to Australian law and according to normal procedures, including checks for health or character as necessary.  Any requests for additional information will be directed to the pilgrim.

Pilgrims will be notified of the outcome of their visa application.  This notification decision will be provided in the timeliest fashion possible to allow the pilgrim to proceed with plans.

Any decision to refuse a visa will be based solely on an assessment against the legal criteria for grant of a visa.

The Australian Government will not impose a limit on the number of visas granted to pilgrims from Vietnam.

12. How will I be told about the outcome of my application?

You or your nominated group leader will be contacted by staff from the office where your application was lodged.

13. If I obtain a WYD visa what should I know about it?

In most cases, visas will be granted permitting travel to Australia for a specified period with multiple entries and 3 months stay on each arrival made within that period.  In some cases, a condition preventing further visa applications in Australia may be applied.  Prior to travelling you should make yourself aware of the conditions of your visa to ensure that you comply.

As mentioned above, pilgrims cannot undertake employment while they are in Australia on a WYD visa.

Pilgrims may undertake volunteer work for the duration of the event.  This work must be directly related to the event and can only be for the duration of the event.

14. Where can I get further information from?

Website:

World Youth Day Organisation: http://www.wyd2008.org

Australian Embassy-Vietnam:    http://www.vietnam.embassy.gov.au

Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship: http://www.immi.gov.au

Email contact points:

Australian Visa Application Centres:

Hanoi:                                  hanoi@iom.int

Ho Chi Minh City:                 hochiminh@iom.int

Australian Embassy, Hanoi: immigration.hanoi@dfat.gov.au

Australian Consulate-General, Ho Chi Minh City: 

immigration.hochiminhcity@dfat.gov.au

Last updated 17 December 2007