Australia Parent Visa Applicants Gain Online Access Through ImmiAccount Update

In a move aimed at streamlining the visa application process, the Australian Department of Home Affairs has announced an update to its ImmiAccount online platform, now extending services to applicants who have lodged paper-based Parent visa applications. This new functionality allows applicants to import their existing paper applications into the ImmiAccount system, unlocking a range of online tools designed to simplify application management.

Modernizing Parent Visa Management 

Previously, applicants who submitted their Parent visa applications via traditional paper forms had limited access to online services for tracking and managing their case. This update marks a significant step towards modernizing the process and providing greater convenience for applicants.

Importing Paper Applications Online 

While the initial application submission for Parent visas will still require the use of paper forms, once the Department of Home Affairs acknowledges receipt of the application, applicants will be able to import it into their ImmiAccount. This crucial step will then grant them access to a suite of online services that were previously unavailable.

Key Online Services Now Available 

The newly accessible online services promise to save applicants valuable time and effort. Key features now available include:

• Electronic Document Upload: The ability to electronically upload supporting documents, eliminating the need for physical mail and ensuring quicker submission of crucial information.
• Direct Communication: Applicants will now be able to view messages and correspondence directly from the Department through their ImmiAccount, providing a centralized and easily accessible communication channel.
• Personal Detail Updates: The update also empowers applicants to maintain their personal details online, allowing for swift and efficient updates to their contact information and other relevant details.
• Real-time Application Status: Perhaps most significantly, the ImmiAccount will now provide applicants with the ability to view the real-time status of their visa application, offering greater transparency and reducing anxiety associated with the waiting period.

Eligibility and Scope 

This welcome development applies to all new paper-based Parent visa applications, as well as existing applications, with the exception of Parent (subclass 103) visa applications lodged before November 2018. Applicants who lodged their subclass 103 applications prior to this date will unfortunately not be eligible to utilize these new online services.

Step-by-Step Guidance Provided 

The Department of Home Affairs has also provided a step-by-step guide to assist applicants in importing their paper-based applications into ImmiAccount. This guide is expected to be readily available on the Department's website, ensuring a smooth and user-friendly transition to the online platform.

Enhanced User Experience 

This update underscores the Department's ongoing commitment to enhancing the user experience for visa applicants. By extending the functionalities of ImmiAccount to paper-based Parent visa applications, the Department aims to create a more efficient, transparent, and convenient process for individuals seeking to reunite with their families in Australia.

ImmiAccount: A Central Platform 

The ImmiAccount platform already offers a range of services for online applications, including the following:

• Start a new application
• Continue a saved application
• Import an application
• Share an application with another account
• Send an incomplete application to another account
• Remove an application.

The inclusion of paper-based Parent visa applications further solidifies ImmiAccount as a central hub for managing visa and citizenship matters.

To confirm the immigration updates as well as the eligibility and subsequently apply for relevant visa in Australia this year, you may get in touch with our registered Australia Migration expert at Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or you can drop us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.

- Rajneesh Kumar