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World Youth Day 2008 (WYD), 15 – 20 July 2008, Sydney Australia
World Youth Day (WYD) is the largest international youth event in 2008. It will be hosted in Sydney from 15-20 July 2008. WYD will be the occasion of the first visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to Australia, with various events planned for visiting pilgrims.
All international WYD participants will need a visa to enter Australia for the event.
The Australian Government has agreed that visas for WYD pilgrims will be free of government charges, and will allow a standard stay of 3 months with multiple entry to Australia. The WYD visa will be either an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or Tourist visa depending on your passport.
In order to be eligible for a visa free of Australian Government charges you will need to be registered for WYD and have your registration supported by your local bishop. The WYD individual registration process will provide you with a comprehensive information pack, including visa application information for entry to Australia.
To register for World Youth Day, visit: www.wyd2008.org
General information on how to apply for a visa for WYD is available on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s website at: www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/wyd_08/index.htm
This should be read in conjunction with more detailed information on how to apply for a World Youth Day visa from the Philippines, which may be found on INFOSHEET 50 – World Youth Day Visas (PDF)
Please note that in order to be eligible for a visa free of Australian Government charges:
• You are required to provide evidence that you have registered for WYD; and
• You must provide a letter of endorsement from your local bishop.
Please note that the granting of a visa for WYD is not automatic. Each application will be assessed on its own merits against the criteria for grant. Registered pilgrims who do not meet these criteria will not be granted a visa.
Pilgrims who are not registered with WYD are not eligible for a visa free of Australian Government charges but are welcome to apply for a visa through normal processes.
The Australian Embassy Manila has a Service Delivery Partner arrangement with Philippines Interactive Audiotext Service Inc (PIASI) to provide Australian visa lodgement services. PIASI operates a Call Centre for telephone enquiries and booking appointments and the Visa Information and Application (VIA) Centre which provides visa information and accepts applications for Australian visas.
PIASI charges applicants a service fee in addition to any visa application charges.
No prior appointments are needed to attend the VIA Centre. Mailed visa applications cannot be accepted at the VIA Centre. Lodgement of applications by courier, however, is available through PIASI’s Call Centre.
Although there is no visa application fee for a visa application to attend World Youth Day, a service fee will be charged by the Australian Visa Application Centre. Additional charges apply for courier services. Payment by credit cards is not accepted.
If you wish to lodge an application in person at the Embassy you will need to make an appointment through the PIASI Call Center. Please note that due to the high demand for appointments it may be a few weeks before an appointment can be scheduled. You can lodge your application at the VIA Center, however, at any time during business hours without an appointment.