Many people easily overlook the details. When coming to Australia, never think that filling out the incoming passenger card is something you can do casually!

We've encountered real cases – where mistakes on the incoming passenger card led to scrutiny by the immigration department, almost resulting in visa refusal!

Whether you're on a tourist visa, student visa, partner visa, or employer-sponsored visa, everyone entering Australia must fill out this yellow incoming passenger card.

Do many people think it's just a minor declaration mistake? That's a huge misconception! In reality, every piece of information you fill out is entered into the immigration system!

Some information can directly impact your visa application!

Here are the two most common pitfalls:

1. Your Address and Emergency Contact Details

If you currently have a partner visa application in process, remember to keep your emergency contact as your partner's information. Also, ensure the address matches your own.

We've had clients who listed a friend as their emergency contact and subsequently received a s57 Request for More Information from the immigration department, asking them to explain why the emergency contact wasn't their partner.

The immigration authority questioned the genuineness of their relationship! It's really not worth risking this.

The correct approach:

List your partner as the emergency contact.

Ensure your address matches the partner's address listed in the emergency contact section!

2. Do Not Fill Out the 'Occupation' Field Casually

This is especially important for those applying for employer-sponsored or skilled migration visas!

We've had employer-sponsored applicants who, because the occupation listed on their incoming passenger card did not match the nominated occupation they were being sponsored for, also received requests for more information requiring explanation.

Although we subsequently helped these applicants successfully pass the review by providing various evidence and explanations, unnecessary scrutiny is best avoided if possible, right?

The correct approach is:

Keep it consistent with the occupation you have declared to the immigration department.

Avoid casually writing vague occupations like "Self-employed," "Part-time," etc.

NEWPOINT
Conclusion

The incoming passenger card is not just a small piece of paper; it is evidence used by the immigration department for information matching!
We must fill it out carefully and seriously. Double-check all information, especially your occupation and emergency contact details, against your visa application to ensure consistency. Taking a few extra minutes to complete it accurately can prevent significant complications and delays in your current or future visa processes. Don't let a simple form undermine your visa prospects!

 

 

 

 

 

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