Visa Applications

VISA APPLICATIONS - GENERAL INFORMATION

The following information is provided by the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection. We recommend that all overseas participants read this carefully.

Under Australia’s universal visa system, all visitors to Australia must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia (the only exceptions to this are New Zealand passport holders and permanent residents of Norfolk Island).

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, and the passport they are holding. The following “visa finder” web page can be of help to find out which visa is suitable for you: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder

Please take into account processing times and lodge visa applications as early as possible as it can take 6-8 weeks for the approval process.

The following passport holders are able to access Australia’s Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) issuing system online. An ETA provides authorisation to travel to and enter Australia and is electronically linked to your passport. To apply for an ETA online, you must hold a passport from one of the following countries or regions:

  • Andorra

  • Austria

  • Belgium

  • Brunei

  • Canada

  • Denmark

  • Finland

  • France

  • Germany

  • Greece

  • Hong Kong (SAR of China)

  • Iceland

  • Ireland

  • Italy

  • Japan

  • Liechtenstein

  • Luxembourg

  • Malaysia

  • Malta

  • Monaco

  • Norway

  • Portugal

  • Republic of San Marino

  • Singapore

  • South Korea

  • Spain

  • Sweden

  • Switzerland

  • Taiwan (excluding official or diplomatic passports)

  • The Netherlands

  • United Kingdom—British Citizen

  • United Kingdom—British National (Overseas)

  • United States of America

  • Vatican City

If you aren’t eligible to apply for an ETA online you might be able to apply through a travel agent, airline or at an Australian visa office. As part of the application/approval process, you will be issued with a Reference Number. You will need the Reference Number to check the status of your ETA or your application.

NB: These are the visa options available presently but the Department of Immigration and Border Protection reserves the right to change regulations. Assistance will NOT guarantee a visa grant. Visa applicants must demonstrate that they meet all the legislative requirements for an Australian visa.

VISA LETTER

A VISA letter is available to download from your online profile. Once you have no outstanding fees associated with your registration, log into your profile with your email and password and scroll down to the bottom of your profile. It should show the VISA letter option. Once you click on the icon, you will be prompted to enter your passport details. Once completed the VISA letter will then be available to download.

*If your VISA application has been rejected, the registration payment will be refunded, pending evidence of the rejection letter. Please contact Marlee Patoka from ASN Events if you require assistance. If you require your VISA letter to include details of your program contribution, please include your contribution title and abstract ID number when requesting these letters.

REQUESTS FOR INTERNAL PROCESS INVITATION LETTERS

For individuals who are required to secure funding to travel from their laboratory, an official ISMAR 2025 letter of invitation request can be made by contacting Marlee Patoka from ASN Events. Please include your contribution title and abstract ID number when requesting these letters.

Please note: This letter is not a visa invitation letter. 
Participants requiring an invitation letter for visa purposes are advised to undertake the formalities of registration and requesting a visa letter as soon as possible.