No special visas for Tongans [1]
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 16:13. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
THE Australian Government today said it had not altered visa eligibility arrangements for Tongans.
"The requirements and conditions for visas to Australia remain unchanged," Nicholas Dynon, Australias Principal Migration Officer in Suva, said.
"Let us be clear there is no 'special' visa available to Tongans for travel and entry into Australia."
People will only be granted a visa if they meet all the legal requirements.
"We are aware of misinformation circulating in the community suggesting that Australia has relaxed its visa requirements," Mr Dynon said.
"Our refusal rate for visa applications has actually risen in recent weeks in line with the increased volume of applications."
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship recently changed the way it manages visa applications in its overseas posts to improve client service.
This has resulted, for example, in reduced processing times for some visas. However, this does not affect decisions to grant or refuse visas.
"The same stringent visa requirements are in place and the same conditions, such as length of stay, apply, as has been the case for many years," Mr Dynon said. Department of Immigration and Citizenship, 27/08/10.