Building Visa Processing Capability: The New Immi App
Travelling to Australia has become simpler with the Australian Immi App, following its ongoing rollout. Already in use in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and by third‑country nationals in New Zealand, the app is now available in 10 more countries from 30 September 2025. This expansion allows thousands of visa applicants who have previously provided fingerprint biometrics to complete their visa requirements more quickly, affordably, and conveniently.
The expansion includes: Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China), Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, the Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. This move is part of the Department’s broader effort to modernize visa processing, strengthen identity verification, and improve accessibility for applicants worldwide.
Since its launch in September 2024, the app has been a success story in the Pacific, with nearly 30,000 people using it. Most importantly, over half of all users submitted their details within two days of receiving their invitation, highlighting its convenience and efficiency.
The free mobile app enables eligible applicants to submit passport details and facial biometrics directly from their smartphones, removing the need to travel to an Australian Biometric Collection Centre (ABCC) each time they apply for a new visa. This is particularly beneficial for applicants in remote or underserved areas, as well as for those in countries without easy access to ABCCs.
By integrating biometric submission into a mobile platform, the Immi App streamlines the visa process, reduces administrative delays, and cuts costs for applicants. While it offers clear benefits, challenges such as device compatibility, internet connectivity, and data security remain considerations. Eligibility depends on visa subclass and prior fingerprint submission.
The Department of Home Affairs continues to enhance Australia’s immigration system through such innovations. The Immi App not only simplifies the process for applicants but also sets the foundation for future developments in digital visa services.
Applicants can download the Immi App for free on Android devices here:
Download the Immi App
Reference
Department of Home Affairs. (2023, July 26). Building Visa Processing Capability – Australian Immi App [News archive]. Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs. Retrieved from https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1353