Lyla Lindsey
If you are applying for Australian citizenship, you will need to provide evidence of your first arrival in the country. This can be done through your electronic visa, travel documents with your visa, or stamps on your passport showing the entry date into Australia. If you travelled to Australia before 1990, you may not have an electronic record, and will need to request a copy of your travel records in and out of Australia from the Department of Home Affairs using Form 1359.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who needs to find out | Permanent residents applying for Australian citizenship |
| What to find out | Date of first arrival in Australia |
| Why find out | A key requirement for applying for Australian citizenship |
| Where to find the information | Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO), passport stamps, travel documents, arrival card, arrival manifest, Form 1359 Request for International Movement Records, passenger arrivals index |
| When to find the information | As soon as possible after moving to Australia |
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What You'll Learn
Request travel records from the Department of Home Affairs
If you are looking to request travel records from the Department of Home Affairs, you can do so by submitting Form 1359 Request for international movement records (280KB PDF). This form can be used to request travel records in and out of Australia. It is important to note that these records will only show your travel into and out of Australia and not to other countries. If you travelled to Australia before 1990, there may not be an electronic record of your movement.
To request your travel records, you will need to provide original identity documents, such as a current or recently expired passport, a photo ID issued in Australia (e.g. a driver's license or proof of age card), and an active card verifying your identity (e.g. a Medicare card, concession card, or bank/credit card). Additionally, you may need to provide multiple documents with dates showing that you have been in Australia continuously since your first arrival.
Your permanent residence dates are calculated based on where you were granted your permanent residence visa. If you received your visa outside of Australia, your permanent residence dates start from the day you arrived in Australia with the visa. On the other hand, if you were already in Australia when your visa was granted, your permanent residence dates begin on the date the visa was granted.
The Department of Home Affairs will also want to note when you first arrived in Australia. This can be done through the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service, your electronic visa, travel documents with your visa, or stamps on your passport showing the entry date into Australia. It is important to note that the VEVO service will only show your current visas and not any past visas you may have held.
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Use Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO)
The Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system is a free service provided by the Australian Government's Department of Immigration and Border Protection. It allows visa holders, employers, education providers, and other organisations to check visa conditions and verify visa applications.
VEVO can be used to access a range of information, including the date of visa start and expiry, visa grant number, visa class and subclass, the number of dependents and family members, and the allowed period of stay. It is important to note that VEVO will only display current visas and not any visas from the past. Additionally, if you arrived in Australia before 1990 and have not left since, there may not be an electronic visa record for you, but you can apply to have one created.
- Visit the Australian Government's Home Affairs website and navigate to "Visas" > "When you have a visa" > "Check visa details and conditions."
- Scroll down and click on 'Check your own visa details.'
- Select your document type from the dropdown menu. This could be Passport, ImmiCard, or others.
- Choose your reference type, which could be your Visa Grant Number, Evidence Number, or Transaction Reference Number (TRN).
- Enter your reference number and any other required details, such as your passport number. Ensure that all information is correct and up-to-date to avoid errors.
By following these steps, you can easily check your Australia visa status and related details using the VEVO system.
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Find your record in the passenger arrivals index
In Australia, passenger arrival documents are divided between state and federal archives. Before 1901, colonies (as states were then known) were responsible for their own immigration processes. By 1924, the Commonwealth Government had assumed control of all immigration.
The National Library of Australia (NLA) has a wealth of information on shipping and passenger records. The NLA's Ancestry and Findmypast subscriptions can be accessed in person at the Library. The original data has been obtained from NSW State Archives and Records. The NLA also provides a research guide on Commonwealth Government Records about the Northern Territory, which includes information on records relating to the Northern Territory.
The State Records of South Australia have mostly complete passenger lists for the period 1847 to 1940. The South Australian Maritime Museum in Port Adelaide provides a passenger database that includes entries for 250,000 passengers and 20,000 ships that arrived between 1836 and 1961. The Tasmania Names Index includes the following shipping, passenger, and immigration-related content: arrivals (19th Century) and departures (1817-1867).
The Public Record Office of Victoria (PROV) collection has records of passengers arriving in Victoria up until 1923. Passenger arrival records are divided into three categories: assisted migration (1839-1871), unassisted passengers (1852-1923), and digitised copies of newspapers and obituaries.
If you are searching for a record on the index, use the passenger arrival records enquiry form. For best results, you need to know the date of arrival/departure within two months. In your initial search, use only a family name and, if known, the year of arrival or a range of years.
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Provide passport or travel documents
To find out when you arrived in Australia, you will need to provide evidence of your first entry into the country. This is a key requirement for applying for citizenship in Australia.
If you arrived in Australia after 1989, you will need to request your arrival details from the Department of Home Affairs. You can do this by submitting a request for international movement records, using Form 1359. The process will be easier if you can provide supporting paperwork, including your current passport and the passport or passenger arrival card you used to enter Australia for the first time. If you travelled to Australia before 1990, you may not have an electronic record, so you will need to request a copy of your travel records from the Department of Home Affairs.
As proof of your first entry, you must include at least one of the following documents with your application:
- The passport or travel document used when you first entered Australia, including the pages showing your photograph, name, date of birth, and all pages with stamps or labels.
- Your incoming passenger arrival card, showing your full name and arrival date stamp.
- If you do not have either of the above documents, you can provide the ship or aircraft arrival manifest showing your arrival, which is available from the National Archives of Australia.
It is important to note that your immigration path is unique to you and your family, so while information online can be helpful, it is best to consult with an immigration specialist and verify information with the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
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Submit an enquiry form
To find out when you arrived in Australia, you can submit an enquiry form to the Department of Home Affairs. This process involves requesting your international movement records, which will show your travel in and out of Australia. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to submit an enquiry form:
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
Before submitting an enquiry, ensure you have the necessary documents ready. These may include your current passport, the passport or travel document used when you first entered Australia (including pages with your photograph, name, date of birth, and any stamps or labels), and your incoming passenger arrival card showing your arrival date stamp. If you do not have these documents, you may need to provide the ship or aircraft arrival manifest, which is available from the National Archives of Australia for arrivals before 1989.
Step 2: Complete Form 1359
Download and complete Form 1359: Request for International Movement Records from the Department of Home Affairs website. This form will allow you to request your travel records in and out of Australia. Ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for this form, as it is applicable for arrivals before 1990. If you arrived after 1990, you may need to explore other options, such as checking the VEVO system or your permanent residency visa conditions.
Step 3: Provide Supporting Paperwork
Along with Form 1359, it is recommended to submit supporting paperwork to make the process smoother. This may include your current passport and the passport or passenger arrival card used to enter Australia for the first time. Additionally, try to provide at least three documents proving your continuous residence in Australia since your arrival, such as utility records, tax bills, or employment contracts.
Step 4: Submit the Enquiry
Once you have completed Form 1359 and gathered your supporting documents, submit your enquiry to the Department of Home Affairs. You can do this by mailing your physical documents or, in some cases, submitting them online through their website. After submitting your enquiry, the Department of Home Affairs will process your request, and you should receive a response within a specified timeframe.
Please note that the process may vary slightly depending on your specific circumstances and the availability of electronic records. It is always recommended to check the official website of the Department of Home Affairs for the most up-to-date information and instructions on submitting enquiry forms.
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Frequently asked questions
You can request your travel records in and out of Australia from the Department of Home Affairs using Form 1359 Request for international movement records. You will need to provide a current passport or a passport that expired within the last 3 years, a photo ID issued in Australia, and a minimum of 3 documents with dates showing you have been in Australia continuously since you first arrived.
If you travelled to Australia before 1990, you may not have an electronic record. You can get an electronic visa record from the Department of Home Affairs online. You will need to provide your original identity documents, such as a passport or photo ID.
If you are unable to provide the required documents to prove your first arrival in Australia, you may be able to find your record in the passenger arrivals index if you arrived before 1 January 1973. You can search for your name and details in the index and request assistance from the National Archives of Australia if needed.
