EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Migration Regulations 1994
CLASSES OF PERSONS
(REGULATION 1218(2)(a)(i)(B))
- This Instrument is made under subsubparagraph 1218(2)(a)(i)(B) of Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Migration Regulations 1994 (‘the Regulations’).
2. Subsubparagraph 1218(2)(a)(i)(B) provides that for applicants coming within classes of persons specified in an instrument in writing a visa application charge (VAC) of nil will apply.
3. The purpose of this Instrument is to specify which classes of persons are entitled to a nil VAC for a Subclass 676 (Tourist) visa. This Instrument revokes previous Instrument IMMI 07/036 and clarifies the criteria required to be met by European Union (EU) passport holders in order to be eligible for a nil VAC.
4. This Instrument operates to specify two classes of persons who are entitled to a nil VAC:
- Holders of a passport issued by an EU member country, as mentioned in the Schedule to this Instrument, who are outside Australia and lodge an application on the internet for a Tourist (Class TR) visa for the duration of three months or less.
- Registered World Youth Day pilgrims. The 13th annual World Youth Day, a celebration of Catholic youth, is being held in Sydney in July 2008, with an anticipated 135 000 international visitors making a pilgrimage to Australia to attend.
5. This Instrument gives effect to the Government’s decisions of:
- August 2006, to implement a number of initiatives in order to address EU concerns about visa reciprocity for short term visitors. It is consistent with the Government’s public announcement of 17 December 2006 that a nil VAC be made available to EU passport holders from 1 July 2007.
- 21 February 2007, that a nil VAC be made available to World Youth Day pilgrims.
6. Significant consultations were held with Australian agencies, and representatives of the EU and its member states, prior to the Government’s decision of August 2006. Significant consultations have also been held with other agencies and the Catholic Church in relation to facilitating the entry of World Youth Day pilgrims to Australia in 2008.
7. The Instrument, IMMI 07/052, commences on the day after registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.