Australia Extends Validity of Business Visas for Indian Travelers
★Australia has extended the validity of multiple entry business visas for Indian travelers from three years to five years.
★This change comes as a result of the “mobility and migration agreement” between Australia and India, which aims to enhance trade ties and promote business travel between the two countries.
★The visitor visa (tourist stream) will remain at a validity of three years.
★India is now the fastest growing inbound market for Australia, with over 370,000 visitors from India in June 2022-May 2023, surpassing pre-Covid visitation levels.
★Direct air connectivity between the two countries has also increased, with the number of weekly nonstop flights rising from seven in 2019 to 22 at present, and expected to reach 25 by October.
★Visa processing for Indian travelers has been streamlined, with the entire process now available online and no requirement for biometric data to be given in person.
★Indian travelers are also spending more than ever in Australia, with an expenditure of almost AUD 2 billion (Rs 11,000 crore) in the year ended March 2023, a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2018-19.
★India is now the fifth largest source market in terms of overseas visitor spend, with an average spend of Rs 3.2-3.5 lakh per trip.
★The majority of Indian visitors come to Australia to visit friends and relatives, followed by holiday travel, business travel, and other purposes.
★Australia recently organized its biggest ever trade meet in India, called Australia Marketplace India, to further promote tourism and trade between the two countries.
★The Australian government has made significant investments in visa processing to reduce backlogs and ensure quick processing times.
★Visa application rates have increased, and the Department of Home Affairs finalized almost 8.3 million visas in 2022-23, a 190.3% increase compared to the previous year.
These changes in visa validity and processing are expected to further boost business and tourism ties between Australia and India, with more Indian travelers choosing Australia as their preferred destination. The extended validity of business visas will provide greater flexibility for Indian business travelers, allowing them to make multiple trips to Australia over a longer period. With increased direct flights and streamlined visa processing, Australia is becoming an even more attractive destination for Indian travelers.
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