General Information

Visas

Under Australia’s universal visa system, all visitors to Australia must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia (other than New Zealand passport holders who will normally be granted a Special Category visa on arrival, provided they meet health and character requirements; and permanent residents of Norfolk Island who may be granted a Permanent Resident of Norfolk Island visa on arrival).

For more information, see the fact sheet available at www.border.gov.au/about/corporate/information/fact-sheets/17nz

There are many visa options available to people wishing to visit Australia. The appropriate visa option will depend, amongst other things, on the person’s purpose for visiting Australia.

Please refer to www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1 for guidance on the visa options that may be most suitable for you.

Letter of Invitation if Required for Visas or Other Administrative Reasons

The Organising Committee can provide invitation letters to those who require it for visas or other necessary processes. However, this letter aims to only assist participants for their travel to Australia and does not imply any commitment for the Organising Committee to provide financial support. Please contact the Organising Committee as early as possible if you require an invitation.

Customs

Live animals and plants, plant material, animal products and certain food from overseas could introduce some of the world’s most damaging pests and diseases into Australia. This could devastate our valuable agriculture and tourism industries and unique environment.

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources works with state and territory governments, industry and the community, to maintain Australia’s clean and wholesome food supply—at home and abroad. Australia’s biosecurity system protects our human, animal and plant health by reducing the risk of unwanted pests and diseases arriving in the country. We all benefit from a strong biosecurity system so we all have a role to play.

You will be given an Incoming Passenger Card before you arrive in Australia. You must comply with the requirement to provide this information. Giving false or misleading information is a serious offence.

You must mark YES on your card if you are carrying goods that may pose a biosecurity risk. These goods include plant material, animal products and certain food. A Department of Agriculture and Water Resources biosecurity officer may inspect declared goods during your border clearance.

IMPORTANT:

We recommend that applicants applying for a paper-based visa lodge their application at least 6-8 weeks before their intended travel date to Australia. All travellers to Australia must have a valid visa before boarding their plane. Travelers to Australia cannot apply for a visa on arrival.

Invitation Letters

1. An invitation letter can be issued via email with proof of your fully paid registration confirmation email. Registrations must be paid for in full before an invitation letter will be issued.
2. Your name must be listed exactly as it appears on your passport. Any differences between the name on your passport and the name on your invitation letter or other documentation could lead to a delay and/or denial of your visa.
3. Please note MH2020, Encanta Event Management and the organising committee of the Symposium are not authorized to assist with the VISA process beyond providing the Notification of Invitation Letter issued by Encanta Event Management. Should your application be denied, Encanta Event Management and the organising committee of the Symposium cannot change the decision of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), nor will Encanta Event Management or the organising committee of the Symposium engage in discussion or correspondence with DFAT or the Embassy on behalf of the applicant..
4. It takes around one month for the Embassy to process the VISA application, please register as early as you can to make sure you have enough time.