The Identification Services Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region (Hereafter called "Macao SAR") was informed by the Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong that, with effect from 9th May 2014, holders of Macao SAR Passport are eligible to lodge online application for Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) on the website of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection of the Australian Government. Applicants who intend to visit Australia as tourists, for business visitor activities or visit friends or family can lodge their visa application by logging in the online system under "Online Service" on the website (www.immi.gov.au), without the need to lodge visa application in person at the Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong nor by post nor by email. Tourists from countries around the world are required to obtain a visa to visit Australia. In order to facilitate visa applications for Macao residents to Australia, the Australian Government introduced "Label-Free Visa Arrangements" in 2012. Last year, the Australian Government and the Macao SAR Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on immigration matter, which has strengthened the exchange and cooperation between the two governments, and consequently promoted the facilitating measure on personnel exchange to a brand new stage. The measure that the Australian Government provides to Macao residents is the latest simplifying method on visa application. Residents of many countries or regions are also using this method to lodge their visa application to the Australian Government. Physical visa labels will not be affixed in the travel document of the applicant under the new simplifying measure. Visa information is instead recorded in Australia's immigration system database. These computerized records are available to airline staff at the airports for verification of those flights' check-in passengers bound for Australia. If the applicant' visa application is approved, the notification of visa approval will be sent to the designated postal or email address of the applicant. The applicant should print out or keep the reply of the assessment result and present it if needed. The Macao SAR Government has been striving to request greater facilitation on entering Australia for Macao residents. The introduction of the above-mentioned measure is attributed to the persistent close cooperation between the Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong as well as the Australian Government, and the Macao SAR Government. It will further deepen the relationship between the two places and strengthen the ease of travellers and therefore to boost in the tourism, and socio-culture between Australia and the Macao SAR. For more information on the application of visas to Australia, please visit the following website of the Australian Government www.hongkong.china.embassy.gov.au.
