Australia has expanded the capabilities of the Immi app, allowing travelers from 34 countries to undergo biometric verification online - via smartphone. Find out who can use the service, how digital identification works and what benefits applicants receive when applying for an Australian visa

Australia is expanding the capabilities of its Immi app, allowing travelers from 34 countries to undergo biometric verification directly from their smartphone. Now, applicants can scan their passport, take a photo in real time and transfer the data to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), saving time and money on a trip to a biometric center.

Read about the simplification of the procedure for obtaining an Australian visa in this article.

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Requirements for applicants who are screened through Immi

The Immi app allows you to bypass the physical biometrics center visit if:

- You have a letter from DHA requesting biometrics and a Visa Line Number (VLN) that begins with AUI or AUH.

- Your passport is valid.

- You have already provided fingerprints and a facial photograph to DHA;

- You have an iOS or Android smartphone with NFC functionality, a camera, and a stable internet connection.

If your VLN does not begin with AUI/AUH or you have not provided biometrics before, you will still need to visit a biometrics center.

Citizens of which countries can use the Immi app when obtaining an Australian visa

Countries where the Immi app is already working as of the end of 2025 are:

Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

The full list of 34 countries has not been officially published, so it is worth checking the current information through ImmiAccount or your local visa application center.

How to use the Immi app: step-by-step instructions

Step 1 - Receive a letter from DHA confirming your right to use the app.

Step 2 - Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Step 3 - Enter your VLN (you can scan the barcode or enter it manually). Each family member must have their own VLN.

Step 4 – Scan your passport: open the personal data page, if you have a chip, use NFC to read it and confirm the passport data.

Step 5 – Take a live photo of your face against a flat wall. Make sure that no one is in the frame. It is advisable to take a photo without glasses and avoid shadows, masks and bright makeup.

Step 6 – Submit the data: after successful submission, your passport data and photo will be sent to DHA, the application does not store them after submission.

Step 7 – Check ImmiAccount – the information is usually updated within 24 hours.

What are the benefits of the Immi application for applicants?

- Time and money savings: no need to go to a physical center;

- Accelerated visa processing: biometrics are faster and more convenient;

- Convenient planning: applicants from countries where the application is available can immediately take this into account when preparing.

What applicants should know about the Immi app?

1. The app does not guarantee a visa – it only simplifies the biometric part of the process;

2. Your smartphone must meet the technical requirements for installing Immi;

3. If DHA asks for additional information, you will have to follow the standard instructions.

Tips for applicants for successful use of Immi

1. Check your VLN and the availability of previous biometrics.

2. Make sure that the phone meets all technical requirements.

3. Use the app only after receiving an official invitation from DHA.

4. If you do not meet the requirements, plan to visit a biometric center.

If you are applying for an Australian visa from one of approximately 34 countries, the Immi app makes the process more convenient and faster. The main thing is to carefully check the eligibility, prepare your smartphone and follow all the instructions. The app only facilitates the biometric stage, but it is a significant step for those who want to save time and resources.

To legally reside in another country, an expat needs to apply for a visa and a residence permit - and this is where it is important to have the correct and up-to-date information. Procedures vary depending on the country: requirements, documents, deadlines, stages of consideration. A mistake can cost time, money and even rejection.

To avoid risks and go through the process without stress, use the guide from Visit World - it contains all the updated rules, conditions and advice on moving and obtaining the necessary documents for living abroad.

Reminder! Australia is updating its English language testing requirements for visas from 7 August 2025. We have already covered the new tests, minimum scores and changes for IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, CELPIP, LanguageCert and MET.

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