Dont buy your Australian visa from the travel agent!

blindman

Sam_Bee wrote: »

blindman - I have to correct two things -

ETA's are checked at the airport, and you CAN be denied boarding if you have not processed it correctly (and has happened several times). In reality, it is is such a common thing that people forget (why would you need a visa for Oz afterall??) the airline staff will frequently process it for you (for far more than £25). But, if your visa is 'referred' you will be kicked off your flight. You get referred if you share a name with someone on an Australian Embassy list (i.e criminals, previous backpackers that overstayed their visa). I know this as as ex-client was called John Smith and got referred. So, basically, anyone called John Smith who turns up at the airport without an ETA will not be able to get on board.

Airlines are strict, as they face massive fines from the OZ government, and have to return the person back to their homeland if they do not have tha correct visa.

Thanks for correcting me on this matter and explaining the process.

Secondly, you say 'This is old news, NEVER buy ANYTHING from a TA.' when referring to a company who are not Travel Agents, but probably, some bloke with a CRS set up at home. You can criticise Travel Agents till the cows come home for all I care, but at least make sure you are criticising the right type of people in this case.

If you read the OP title you'll see I'm referring to TA and not the fly by night dodgy visa service some bloke has set up at home.

Sam_Bee

blindman wrote: »

If you read the OP title you'll see I'm referring to TA and not the fly by night dodgy visa service some bloke has set up at home.

Sorry, the context confused me, but I see what you mean. Thinking about it is a good business idea as it is money for old rope, with minimal costs. Virtually 100% pure profit..... But no regulation, especially not from the OZ Embassy which is risky. In fact I have the software - I might start MSE OZ Visa Service

1 thing though - I have no idea at all why they are required anyway? Why OZ? Why not NZ, USA etc etc etc....? Anyone actually know?

And as Lottee said £25 is not indicative of Travel Agents as a whole! Many offer them free when brought in conjunction with some other product, and as Lottee said, her company charge £12, and would do it for you on the spot, so I don't necessarily agree with your critique!

blindman

Sam_Bee wrote: »

Sorry, the context confused me, but I see what you mean. Thinking about it is a good business idea as it is money for old rope, with minimal costs. Virtually 100% pure profit..... But no regulation, especially not from the OZ Embassy which is risky. In fact I have the software - I might start MSE OZ Visa Service

1 thing though - I have no idea at all why they are required anyway? Why OZ? Why not NZ, USA etc etc etc....? Anyone actually know?

And as Lottee said £25 is not indicative of Travel Agents as a whole! Many offer them free when brought in conjunction with some other product, and as Lottee said, her company charge £12, and would do it for you on the spot, so I don't necessarily agree with your critique!

I was being a bit sweeping in that statement, but on the whole TA's 'Add ons' are overpriced.
As for their holidays.....


I think the OP got a bit confused re the cost quoted, I find it's about £13-15 and I find the Australian Embassy direct easy to use

dzug

I'm puzzled by the references to 'Australian Embassy Direct' - I can find no such site.

If it's the official site http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/ then they don't charge £13-15. They charge AUS$20, which is between £8 and £9. Last time I used it it was problem free.