Do I need a transit visa for an 8 and a half hour layover in Australia?
Do I need a transit visa for an 8 and a half hour layover in Sydney, Australia? I have no intention of leaving the airport. Also, would I need to pass through customs and immigration?
I'm travelling with a passport from South Africa, I have a visa to get into new Zealand, I don't pass through immigration nor customs, and that's according to someone whose been in transit as well. My flight is from Johannesburg to Dubai, from Dubai to Sydney and from Sydney to New Zealand
Best Answer
Yes, as transit without visa arrangements are only valid for transits of less than 8 hours. According to the Department's web site (emphasis added):
If you are from an eligible country (see eligible countries listed below) you can transit through Australia on your way to a third country without an Australian visa provided you meet all of the following criteria:
- will arrive in Australia by aircraft
- have a confirmed ticket to leave Australia to travel to a third country by aircraft within 8 hours of arriving
- have valid travel documents to enter that country
- must not need to clear immigration or leave the airport transit lounge for any reason before boarding your onwards flight.
Even if you meet all other criteria, including being of an eligible country, if you need to clear immigration, for example to collect or transfer baggage onto, and/or to board, your onwards flight, you will need an Australian visa to do this. For more information see Transit facilities at Australian airports.
As a South African citizen, you will need to apply for a Transit (subclass 771) visa. Alternatively, if you can reschedule your flight so that you will be transiting Australia for less than 8 hours, you will be able to utilise the transit without visa arrangements.
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Do I need a transit visa for a connecting flight in Australia?
Visa requirements To transit through \u200bAustralia you must hold a valid visa or be from an eligible country to Transit without a visa (TWOV).Do you need an eTA to transit through Australia?
Transits through Australia that require an eTA visa: A transit period of more than 8 hours: If your Australian transit period is for more than 8 hours then you will need to obtain an eTA travel authorisation prior to your visit. This is valid even if you do not leave the airport terminal.Does layover need transit visa?
In most cases \u2014 no, you don't need a visa, even if the layover is in a third country where you would need a visa to travel to. However, there are a few exceptions, as well as a few things you should know about transiting in a third country.DO I NEED A TRANSIT VISA IN AUSTRALIA IF ITS NOT MY LAST DESTINATION?
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