Australian 4 year Multiple Entry Visa in Suva, Fiji

Created by doina. Last modified on 2003-12-15 10:32:50
Contributors:
Countries: Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu

We (US citizens) arrived at the Australian Consulate in Suva at 0800 on a Tuesday. It is a 15 minute walk from the Royal Suva Yacht Club or a $1.80FD taxi ride (.54USD to 1FD in August 2003). It opens at 0830 and we were first in line. By 0830 there were 25 people behind us. We selected an A ticket from the electronic number machine. We were called about 15 minutes later and we requested the Visa Application and instruction sheet, though, they were available at the counter where the number machine is located, later in the day they were not.

If we had had the following we could have filled it out there and submitted it

1) $84.00 Fijian dollars per passport

2) Passport

3) Passport Photo

4) Copy of Marriage or Divorce Certificate

5) At least 3 months of bank statements showing evidence of funds

6) Yacht Documentation or Registration proving ownership

7) A letter stating why we wanted a 4-year Visa including an outline of our itinerary (flying to the US, taking the boat out of Oz on a cruise during cyclone season etc.)

8) Physical Address of the Royal Suva Yacht Club (Foster Road, Walu Bay, Suva, Fiji)

9) If you are over 70 you need a copy of your birth certificate.

We submitted the application that same Tuesday morning. The office closes at noon. We were issued a receipt for the money and a case number and we were told it would take 5 working days but to call on Friday morning. It was indeed ready on Friday at 1150. We received a 4-year Multiple Entry Visa, valid starting the date issued. We are allowed to be in Australia for 6 months at a time, the 6 months start upon arrival into the country. We must arrive before the expiration date. There is no cost reduction for a shorter visa.

We enjoyed our week in Suva anchored right off the Royal Suva Yacht Club. We took in 3 movies at the 6 Screen Movie Theater. Visited the museum and the Government Handicraft Center. Surfed the web for .10FD/minute. Shopped at Cost-U-Less. Ate curries. Watched some rugby.

Sarah & GB Bucknell, Djarrka

Things I have learned since that writing:

1) In Port Vila, Vanuatu in 2003 the maximum time issued was a 2 year multiple entry visa.

2) There is a 4 year retirement visa. It has certain requirements but does not require you to leave every 6 months.