China – Australia Free Trade Agreement and Visas, and Online Visitor Visa Changes for a Range of Countries

Australia and China have negotiated a Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) which will lead to positive changes on the migration and visa front. A date for the commencement of the changes is yet to be announced and it is expected to take some time as treaties need to be signed and legislation,  and regulations need to be amended. However, some basic information has been provided by the Immigration Department thus far.

Under the ChAFTA, Australia plans to guarantee Chinese citizens access to Australia via:

• Business visitor visas for up to 90 days, or 6 months for service sellers
• Intra-corporate transferees and independent executives for up to four years
• contractual service suppliers for up to four years
• installers and servicers for up to three months
• entry and stay for dependents and spouses of Chinese citizens that have been granted entry in accordance with the ChAFTA
• Work and Holiday Arrangement (up to 5000 Chinese citizens annually)

Whilst it may be some time for the above changes to become operational, Australia has already announced that Chinese nationals will be able to apply online for offshore visitor visas (Subclass 600)  using approved service agents in China. This chance commences 23 November 2014.

中澳自贸协定下的澳洲签证申请变化

2014年11月8日

中澳刚刚签署的自由贸易协议将在移民以及签证申请方面带来一些积极的改变。具体何时开始施行这些改变还未有官方声明。鉴于这些改变需要通过签订国际条约、实施相关立法以及修订相关法规来实现，可以预见到的是施行这些改变尚待时日。但是，目前澳大利亚移民局已经发布了自贸协议下澳洲签证申请变化的一些基本信息。

根据自贸协议，澳大利亚将在以下渠道保障中国公民可以进入澳洲：

• 持商务访问签证者在澳逗留时间许可将升至90天，中国服务供应商最长可申请6个月签证
• 中国公司内部员工在澳洲境内轮岗以及中国公司的独立执行官最长可获得四年签证
• 中国的合同制服务供应商最长可获得四年签证
• 中国企业的安装工人以及维修工人最长可获得3个月签证
• 对依据自贸协议已获得进入澳洲许可的中国公民，其配偶及未成年子女可以申请随行
• 工作假日签证将对中国公民开放申请，但是每年只有5000个名额

具体施行以上改变尚需时日，但是澳大利亚已经宣布自2014年11月23日起，中国公民在澳洲境外提交旅游签证（600类别）申请时，可以通过澳洲政府认可的中国境内的中介在网上递交申请。

Online Visitor Visa Application Services Extended

From 23 November 2014, the holders of passports from the following countries will be able to access the online Tourist, Sponsored Family and Visitor visa categories:

• Bhutan
• Burma
• Cambodia
• Laos
• Mongolia
• Pakistan
• Thailand

The online system provides ease of access to visa applicants and case officers. Applicants using the online system can lodge their details online and attach documents, update passport details, change email and address details and check the progress of their applications.