Pilgrims urged to lodge World Youth Day visa applications now
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
The Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, is urging people planning to travel to Australia for the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day to apply for their visas as soon as possible.
With just three months before Sydney plays host to the week-long event, Senator Evans said pilgrims who had still not obtained visas to enter Australia should apply now so their applications can be processed in time.
‘While the rate of applications for visas has been increasing over recent weeks, people must understand that the department cannot guarantee that applications lodged after 1 June will be processed in time for pilgrims to travel to Australia in July,’ Senator Evans said.
‘With such a large amount of people attending, people cannot afford to wait until the last minute to lodge their visa applications.’
The department has already granted more than 10 000 visas for the July 15-20 event which is expected to attract up to 125 000 overseas visitors.
World Youth Day pilgrims are expected from more than 170 countries including the United States, Italy, Germany, the Philippines, New Zealand, Canada, Poland and Mexico.
‘As part of the Australian Government’s support for World Youth Day, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship is providing visas for registered pilgrims free of government charges,’ Senator Evans said.
Pilgrims need to register for the event through the World Youth Day website and have their nomination supported by their local bishop.
The registration process includes an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) application for pilgrims who hold a passport from one of the 33 countries or regions eligible for an ETA.
Pilgrims who are not registered can apply separately for a visa through normal processes, but this would attract a government charge.
World Youth Day will be the largest event held in Sydney since the 2000 Olympics with the global gathering of Catholics to include the first visit to Australia of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2008/ce08032.htm
Last update: 26 June 2008 at 12:46 AEST