When traveling to other countries, you must obtain a passport. So you can leave and re-enter your country freely. However, if you have a passport that cannot be recognized by the Australian government, you can apply for an ImmiCard that helps you prove your identity when you travel to Australia. If you don’t know what ImmiCard is and how to get it, you can read this article to find out how to get it.
What Is ImmiCard?
According to Australian immigration rules, if some visa holders do not have and cannot obtain a passport that can be recognized by the Australian government, they can apply for an ImmiCard. When you have the ImmiCard, you can travel back and forth from Australia. In addition, you can use it to provide proof of identity (COI) in Australia, such as Medicare and Centrelink.
Types of Immicards and Application Fees
There are two types of Australian Immicards available, so you can apply for them according to your needs.
- Evidence of Immigration Status (EIS). This Immicard is for some visa holders who are already in Australia.
- The Australian Migration Status Immicard (AMS). If you are outside Australia or a refugee and special humanitarian program visa holder, you can apply for this card.
When you apply for Immicards for the first time, you will need to pay an AUD100 fee. However, if you are a new humanitarian and protection visa holder when issued within 3 months of the visa grant, you do not need to pay the application fee. Some unaccompanied minors are also free to obtain an Immicard. If you need to replace your ImmiCard due to loss, damage, or expiry, you must pay an AUD30 fee.
Who Can Apply for ImmiCard?
Before applying for an Immicard, you must check your eligibility for an Immicard. You hold one of the following visas when you are in Australia:
- Bridging visa E granted to unauthorized maritime arrivals (subclass 050 or 051)
- Bridging (Trafficking) Visa (060)
- Bridging (removal pending) visa (subclass 070)
- Humanitarian stay (temporary) visa holders (subclass 449)
- Temporary Protection Visa (subclass 785)
- Temporary (Humanitarian Concern) Visa (subclass 786)
- Safe Haven Enterprise visa (subclass 790)
- Permanent Protection Visa (subclass 866)
- If you do not have the above visas, you can still apply for an Immicard.
- You have a Travel Document to Australia (DFTTA) or Visa Evidence Card (PL056) and need to replace it.
- You are an undocumented immigrant detainee who lives in the community but does not have a visa – talk to your case manager.
- You were a permanent resident in Australia before 1990, but you can’t get a passport for various reasons, and you can’t use VEVO.
- You do not have a valid Australian passport.
How Do I Get An Australian Immicard?
When you are eligible to apply for an Australian Immicard, you can easily get it online. Here you can follow the steps below and get an Immicard.
Adults
Step 1: Pay for your ImmiCard on ImmiAccount
Before you apply for Immicard online, you must pay the application fee of AUD100 on ImmiAccountg for the first time.
Step 2: Gather the required documents
You must provide the following documents:
- Recent photo identification, such as expired passport, national ID card, Australian driver’s licence and proof of age card.
- Document for Travel to Australia (DFTTA) or Visa Evidence Cards (PL056) if you do not have an ImmiCard.
- A passport photo is less than 6 months old if you do not have any Australian photo identification documents.
- Other documents that show your identity, such as Medicare card, credit card, Centrelink concession card
- Three documents that show you have lived in Australia after your arrival, such as school and employment records, rental leases, utility bills, tax records, or children’s birth certificates
- A copy of official evidence, such as a marriage certificate or a change of name certificate, if you have changed your name.
- If you are applying for a new ImmiCard when you have been granted a subclass 785, 790 or 866 visa in the last three months, you must also provide the visa grant letter.
You must scan your original document in color at high resolution (600 dpi). They do not accept black and white copies, photographs of documents or scanned photocopies. If your documents aren’t in English, they need to be translated by someone accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. Therefore, you must submit scans of both the original and translation of the document. It is allowed to attach multiple documents to your online application, but the maximum size for all attachments is 10 MB.
When you take a photo, it is not allowed to submit a selfie. Instead, you need to have your photo taken in a local photo outlet or professional photo booth. If you don’t meet the required documents, your application may be refused.
📚 Read this guide on how to get Australian passport photos: Best Places to Get Passport Photos Near Me in Australia
Step 3: Complete the online application form
Go to the application form website and answer your questions honestly. You will then be guided to complete the form and attach your scanned documents to the application. When you enter an address, you need to write your unit or home number first, then the street name and the suburb.
Step 4: Get your Immicard
Once you submit the online form and documents, you will be awarded an Immicard when you have met all the requirements. You can get the card by post or collect your Immicard at the post office with a collection slip. When you pick it up, you need to bring identification with you, such as a visa letter, Medicare card or Australian driver’s license.
Minors
If you are a minor under 16, your parents can apply for an Immicard for you. If you are 16 or older, you can apply on your own behalf.
The process for applying for Immicard for a minor under 16 is similar to that for adults. In addition to the application documents, it is required to provide proof of the parent’s identity and relationship to the child, such as a Medicare card scan.
How Do I Pay for An Australian Immicard?
You must pay for your ImmiCard first, so you can continue to apply for an Australian Immicard. Here you can follow the steps below and pay on ImmiAccount.
- Launch ImmiAccount and create a new account.
- Go to “My Payments” > “Manage Payments” > “Pre-Pay Paper Service” > “Pay ImmiCard Application”
- Then you can complete the required fields and select the processing office.
- Complete the payment and keep your payment receipt number.
The Immicard fee is AUD100 if it is your first time applying for it. If you are an unaccompanied minor, you don’t need to pay for it.
When Will ImmiCard Expire?
Your Immicard will be valid for five years once it is issued. Because the expiry date is not linked to the cardholder’s visa, you can still use an expired ImmiCard to verify your visa status through VEVO. However, some organizations do not use expired ImmiCards as proof of identity initiation. So you need to renew the Immicard when it expires.
How Do I Renew the ImmiCard?
When you want to renew your expired Immicard, you can follow the process to apply for your first Immicard. You need to show the expired Immicard as one of the required documents.
FAQ
🧐 Do I need a new Immicard if I change my name?
Yes. If you changed your details when you got married, such as name and address, you need to ask the officer to update the details on your ImmiCard. You need to complete the ImmiCard amendment application form online and attach the documents to prove your changed details.
🧐 What to do if I lose or damage ImmiCard?
If you lose or damage your Immicard, you must apply for a new one as soon as possible. The procedure for applying for a replacement is the same as for the first time. And you need to pay the application fee of AUD30.
🧐 Can international students get ImmiCard?
Yes, once international students meet the requirements when they have the above visas, they are allowed to apply for an Immicard.
🧐 Where do I find my ImmiCard number?
You can find your ImmiCard number on the ImmiCard. It consists of three letters followed by six numbers, such as AMS012356 or EIS011236.
🧐 Is getting an ImmiCard mandatory?
If you do not have a passport to prove your identity when entering or leaving Australia, you must apply for an Immicard. It can also help you access other services. So you should get an Immicard in Australia.
Conclusion
If you have a passport that can’t be recognized in Australia, you should get an Immicard to show your identity when you want to leave Australia. It is easy and fast for you to apply. If you follow the detailed steps above to apply, you will have your Immicard in about two weeks.
Dolores Xiao