Applying for an Australian Working Holiday Visa is an exciting step for many of you eager to explore and work in Australia. However, life can be unpredictable, and sometimes you may need to update your passport details after your visa application has been submitted. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to change your passport details after applying for an Australian Working Holiday Visa.
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Why you might need to change your Passport details
There are several reasons why you might need to update your passport details after applying for your visa:
- Passport Renewal: Your passport has expired or is about to expire.
- Lost or Stolen Passport: Your passport has been lost or stolen, and you have obtained a new one.
- Name Change: You have legally changed your name and received a new passport reflecting this change.
Procedure in case of passport loss/theft before your departure
To travel internationally, a valid passport is mandatory. If you have applied for or obtained a visa for Australia and have to get a new passport after your application, you must inform Australian Immigration. This includes when your passport is lost, damaged or stolen, or if you have to get a new passport because your old one was close to expiry. Your visa is linked to your passport number so if you change your passport, it will affect your visa.
If you need a new passport, it is necessary to apply for it as soon as possible and well before your departure for Australia. Once you have your new passport, you will need provide Australian Immigration with your new passport number.
You will need the following information to update your passport details with the Australian Department of Home Affairs:
- Your new passport number
- Issue date and expiry date of the new passport
- Your visa application number or Transaction Reference Number (TRN)
- Personal details (name, date of birth, etc.)
Log In to your ImmiAccount
The quickest and easiest way to update your passport details is through the IMMI Account portal. Once logged in, navigate to your visa application under the “My Applications” section.
You should see an option to “Update details”, where you can change details like your address, your email and your passport details. Once you have your new passport, you will have to fill out a form providing your new passport number, date of expiry etc. You will also have to provide a scan of your new passport.
Once you have updated your details, you should receive an email confirming that your passport details have been changed on the system. It can take up to 48 hours for your updated details to show on your account, but this will not affect your travel.
Contact the Department of Home Affairs (if needed)
If you encounter any issues while updating your details online or if you prefer to update your information through another method, you can contact the Department of Home Affairs directly.
- Phone: Call the Global Service Centre at +61 2 6196 0196. Be prepared to provide your personal details, visa application number, and new passport information.
- Email: Send an email to the Department of Home Affairs with your new passport details, including your visa application number or TRN and personal information. Attach a scanned copy of your new passport.
In case of loss / theft if you are already in Australia
If you are already in Australia and lose your passport or have it stolen, the procedure is different.
In this case, you will have to contact the local police authorities by telephone (131 444) or go to a police station, to report the loss or theft. You will be given a registration number and/or a complaint receipt.
Then you will need to contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the country you are from to ask what your next step should be. You may need to go there in person. They may be able to give you either a replacement passport that will let you finish your trip or an emergency travel document that will get you home. If you are from the EU and there is no embassy from your country in Australia, you should be able to contact an embassy or consulate of another EU member state.
Once you have a new passport, you should still be able to update your details via your IMMI Account via the method described above.
Important Tips
- Update Promptly: Update your passport details as soon as possible to avoid any delays or issues with your visa application.
- Keep Records: Maintain copies of all correspondence and documents related to your passport update for future reference.
- Double-Check Information: Ensure that all the information you provide is accurate to avoid complications with your visa.
