Electronic visa record
From 1 September 2015 visa holders will no longer be able to request and pay for a visa label. Visa holders can access their visa record through our free Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service or the myVEVO mobile app. Australian visas are issued and recorded electronically. All visa records are stored on a central database in Australia which enables online checking of visa details by visa holders, registered Australian organisations and airline staff.Your visa is linked to your passport or ImmiCard through its unique identification number. You and other parties need this number when checking your visa online. The Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s online systems are used to verify visa holder’s visa details and conditions. Online checking is efficient, reliable and provides real-time information about the person’s visa. This reflects a government-wide agenda to make services to clients more accessible and convenient by providing them with secure online alternatives.
Visa notification
When you receive your Australian visa you are issued with a visa grant notification letter that explains the conditions of your visa, including period of validity and entry requirements. You should retain this for your own reference and you may wish to carry it with you when you travel as it contains important information about your visa. The information contained within the visa grant notification letter will help you to check your visa status online using the department’s Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system or myVEVO mobile app.
New passport
Your visa details are linked to your passport or ImmiCard. Failure to update your passport details will result in delays when travelling to Australia. You or a registered Australian organisation will be unable to check your visa details and conditions online. If you have been issued with a new passport since your Australian visa was granted, you must notify us of your new passport details to ensure your record is up-to-date. To update your passport details, please go to ImmiAccount or complete Form 929 Change of address and / or passport details and return it to our nearest office. For more information refer to: How can I update my address or passport details
Checking your visa status online
Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) is a secure and free service available anywhere, anytime. VEVO allows you to check and email your visa details online and provides information about your visa conditions. You can also check and email your visa details by downloading the myVEVO mobile app from your app store.
Traveling to Australia
Airlines that fly to Australia must provide details of all passengers to Australian Immigration and Border Protection Portfolio staff ahead of their flight arrival in Australia. When you check-in for your flight to Australia, airline staff will use your passport details or ImmiCard to check if you have a valid visa to travel to Australia before allowing you to board the aircraft. This is completed electronically using the Advance Passenger Processing (APP) system and takes only seconds to complete it. If you are not flying directly to Australia, you may request your airline to contact the connecting airline for your flight to Australia to request an APP or a TIETAC check to confirm whether you have a valid Australian visa. This will avoid unnecessary delays at the airport.
Third party visa checks
A visa provides non-citizens with permission to travel to, enter and remain in Australia. However, Australian visas are also commonly used to satisfy a number of other Australian third party requirements. This might include enrolling for government services, such as for Medicare or for evidence of identity checking purposes, for example, when applying for a driver licence. An employer will also need to check if your visa allows you to work in Australia. Depending on their specific requirements, third parties have alternatives available to them to check your Australian visa as well as your foreign passport.
Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO)
VEVO is the primary online visa checking tool for most Australian third parties. With your permission, registered VEVO organisations, including employers, labour hire companies, roads and traffic authorities, education institutions, banks and other organisations can check your details online through VEVO.
Document Verification Service (DVS)
DVS is a national online system that allows organisations to compare a customer’s identification information with an existing government record. The DVS uses your passport details to check if you have a current Australian visa. The DVS checks if the details on your passport match the current departmental visa records. Your visa details are linked to your passport so you should notify us of any change of your passport details to ensure your record remains up-to-date. The DVS cannot check expired or invalid visas. This service is available to government and private organisations. We also provide visa information to a number of Australian government agencies to support their eligibility and enrolment processes. For example, the Department of Human Services can access your visa information as part of the Medicare enrolment process and the Australian Taxation Office system can check your visa details when you apply online for a tax file number.
Important things you need to remember
You need to be granted and hold an Australian visa to enter or stay inAustralia, unless you are an Australian citizen. Australian visa holders can travel to, enter or stay in Australia using their electronic visas. While travelling using an electronic visa is widely accepted, however, we recommend you confirm other countries’ entry, exit and visa requirements with relevant foreign government authorities before you travel. If you have been issued with a new passport since your Australian visa was granted, you must notify us of your change of passport details to ensure your record is up-to-date prior to travel. Failure to do so will delay your travel to Australia and cause problems with online checking. Keep a copy of your visa grant notification letter in a safe place for your reference. This letter contains important information about your visa including your visa grant number (or transaction reference number, if lodged online) which is needed for VEVO access. You might want to carry this letter with you when you travel. You can use VEVO or myVEVO mobile app for free to check your visa details and conditions. Employers, schools, banks and other organisations can check your entitlements online with your consent using VEVO. We may also share your visa information with some Australian Government agencies.
Source – https://www.border.gov.au/