The process of submitting your Australian Work and Holiday visa application materials at a visa application center is actually quite simple, so there is no need to be overly nervous. Simply bring your materials to the visa application center, wait for your number to be called, and proceed to the counter to submit your documents; staff will be available to guide you through the process. You may choose a visa application center in any of the following cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Chengdu (detailed addresses are provided at the end of this article). The location for submission does not need to match the one on your appointment letter: even if you booked for Guangzhou, you can still go to the visa application centers in Beijing, Shanghai, or Chengdu.
1. Arrive on time, present your passport/appointment letter, and wait for your number to be called.
Bring all required materials and arrive at the visa application center at least 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. It is reported that during the previous round of submissions, the Chengdu visa application center allowed applicants to submit materials a few minutes or even half an hour early; it is simply a matter of waiting for your turn.
Applicants from the previous batch in Beijing reported that the visa application center was not crowded and the process was completed in half an hour. However, the photo requirements are very strict, requiring most of the shoulders to be visible, which resulted in some applicants being required to pay 35 RMB to retake them at the center. Applicants in Shanghai this July reported that the center was slightly more crowded and they were only allowed to enter to take a number fifteen minutes in advance. For example, if your appointment is at 10:00, you are only allowed to enter to take a number at 9:45.
However, even so, do not be late. The submission hours for all major visa application centers are from 07:30 to 15:00. Upon arriving at the visa application center, show your passport and appointment letter to the reception staff. Once verified, you will be allowed to enter to take a queue number and wait for your turn.
2. Submit materials and provide any missing documents promptly.
When your number is called, submit your materials to the staff at the counter. They will perform a brief check: verifying if the forms are fully completed, if any notarized documents are missing, and if the photos meet the requirements, etc.
Do not be intimidated by the indifferent attitude of the staff; they are only responsible for collecting fees and performing basic document verification, and they cannot make any decisions regarding the approval of your visa. If the staff discovers that you are missing materials or that certain items are non-compliant, they will inform you of the documents you may need to submit later.
It is best to have all materials ready, but if you are still missing something (such as English proficiency test scores), inform the staff truthfully and submit a written request to provide the missing documents later. Also, ask for clarification on how to submit them. Generally, there are two ways: proactive submission (returning to the visa application center in person or emailing the center once the document is available) or passive submission (waiting for the visa officer to email you requesting the documents, then scanning and replying directly to that email).
To save time and effort, try to prepare all materials before submitting. If you are truly missing a specific document, do not worry too much; the visa officer will give you an opportunity to provide it. You will not be easily refused a visa for this reason, provided that you submit the documents within the specified timeframe and the materials are authentic.
3. Pay the visa fee in RMB cash.
After submitting your materials, you will need to pay the fees. The visa fee in 2019 was 485 AUD (approximately 2,345 RMB), which must be paid in RMB cash, plus additional fees for biometrics, etc., totaling approximately 2,300-3,000 RMB. Fees vary slightly across different visa application centers, so it is best to bring enough cash and some small change for safety.
4. Wait for email notification for medical examination or visa grant.
Once you have submitted your materials and received your receipt, you may leave. If you have not undergone a medical examination in advance, you will generally receive an email notification from the visa officer within two weeks of submission requesting you to do so, and you must complete the examination within 28 days. It is recommended to book your appointment as soon as you receive the medical examination letter; the sooner you book and complete the exam, the sooner your visa will be processed. The visa officer will review all your materials and make a decision on your visa grant after your medical examination results are received.
If you have already completed your medical examination in advance, you can simply wait for the visa grant. Under normal circumstances, this takes about two weeks, though it may be faster or slower.