771 Transit visa (subclass 771)

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Transit visa (subclass 771)
Purpose	Transit or join ship crew
Stay	Up to 72 hours
Maritime crew stay	Join ship within 5 days
Cost	Free
Apply from	Outside Australia
Decision location	Outside Australia
Eligibility timing	Confirm onward travel within 72 hours
Work rights	Not stated in the source
Study	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Health insurance	May be required
Travel facility	Enter once for transit
Family sponsorship	Not available
Family applications	Separate application each person
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Visa record	Check conditions in VEVO
Processing	Use processing time guide
Extension	Cannot be extended

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Purpose

The Transit visa lets you:

• Transit through Australia for no more than 72 hours before leaving by air or sea.
• Enter Australia by air to join an eligible ship as a Maritime Crew visa (subclass 988) holder.

You may sightsee or visit family or friends before departure.

When You May Not Need This Visa

You may not need a Transit visa if:

• You will be in Australia for less than 8 hours and do not leave the airport, and are eligible to transit without a visa.
• You hold another valid Australian temporary or permanent visa that permits transit.
• You are an eligible New Zealand passport holder for a Special Category visa (subclass 444).
• You are eligible for an ETA, Visitor visa, eVisitor visa or APEC Business Travel Card.

Warning: Being granted a Transit visa will likely end most other Australian visas you hold. Check your visa details in VEVO or ImmiAccount before applying.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be outside Australia when you apply and when the decision is made.
• Be transiting Australia.
• Have confirmed onward travel to another country within 72 hours of arrival.
• Have the correct documents to enter the onward country.
• Meet health, character and biometrics requirements.
• Repay, or arrange to repay, any Australian Government debt owed by you or relevant family members.
• Acknowledge the Australian Values Statement if aged 18 or over.

The visa may not be granted if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.

Maritime Crew Requirements

If entering by air to join a ship, you must:

• Hold a Maritime Crew visa (subclass 988).
• Hold necessary crew documents.
• Join an eligible ship within 5 days of arrival.

If you do not join the ship within 5 days, your Maritime Crew visa may cease and you may become an unlawful non-citizen. You need a new Transit visa each time you enter Australia by air to join a ship.

Stay and Conditions

• Leave Australia within 72 hours, unless you also hold a Maritime Crew visa.
• Maritime Crew visa holders arriving by air must join their ship within 5 days.
• You cannot extend this visa. Apply for another visa if you need to stay longer.
• Meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws.
• Check your grant letter or VEVO for your specific conditions and required departure date.

Health Insurance

You are personally responsible for healthcare costs in Australia. The Department may require adequate health cover for your whole stay, including medically necessary treatment and transport.

Some countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia.

Family Provisions

You cannot include family members in your application.

Each traveller, including a baby on a parent’s passport, must make a separate application. Submit family applications together in ImmiAccount.

Required Documents

Transit Travellers

Provide:

• Certified copy of your national identity card, if you have one.
• Certified passport copies showing photo, personal details, issue and expiry dates.
• One recent passport-size photograph.
• Your plans while in Australia.
• Confirmation of onward travel within 72 hours.
• Evidence you can enter the onward country, such as a visa or entry authority.

Sea Crew

Provide:

• Evidence of employment on the ship.
• Evidence of onward travel arrangements.
• Evidence that the ship is eligible.
• Seafarer identity document or card.
• A statement from the vessel’s local shipping or handling agent stating:
  • Your name.
  • Name of the crew member being replaced.
  • Your employer.
  • Ship name.
  • Intended Australian arrival date.
  • Intended port and date of joining the ship.
  • If applicable, the ship agent’s crew request.

Document Rules

• Translate all non-English documents into English.
• Provide both original-language and translated documents.
• Send original police certificates.
• Provide certified copies of other documents, including translations.

How to Apply

1. Check whether you need a Transit visa, including transit-without-visa eligibility.
2. Gather required identity, travel and onward-entry documents.
3. Apply online through ImmiAccount.
4. Attach supporting documents.
5. Submit applications for travelling family members together.
6. Remain outside Australia until a decision is made.

Apply well before travel. Providing all required documents may help prevent delays.

After Applying

• The Department will confirm receipt of your application.
• Check ImmiAccount for requests for further information.
• You may be asked to provide biometrics.
• Tell the Department promptly about application mistakes using Form 1023.
• Notify the Department of changes to your contact details, passport, relationship status, a child’s birth, or if you wish to withdraw the application.

If granted, you will receive your visa grant number, visa start date and conditions in writing. Keep a copy of the decision.

Travel and Arrival

Before travelling, hold:

• A valid visa to enter Australia.
• A valid passport or other travel document.

All arriving passengers must complete an Incoming Passenger Card.

Use VEVO to prove your visa status and conditions. You may request international movement records as evidence of travel in and out of Australia.