Visas for Children Under 18
Visitor Visa applications
For applications lodged at the Australian Embassy, Tokyo (676)
Applicants under 18 years of age who are travelling alone or without one or both of their parents or legal guardians must provide the following documents:
- Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years;
- Certified copy of the child's birth certificate or family register (in the case of a Japanese Family Register (koseki touhon) or Japanese Birth Certificate for non-Japanese nationals born in Japan (shussei todoke), please provide the original document issued by the Ward/City Office);
- Evidence of sole custody (if applicable);
- Original or certified copy of both parents'/guardians' passports (personal details page and signature page);
- Original or certified copy of the child's passport (personal details page);
- Form 1257 Undertaking declaration. If a child under 18 years is staying in Australia with someone other than a parent, legal guardian or relative, the declaration must be signed by the person responsible for that child in Australia.
Certified copies can be obtained from your nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate for a fee.
If all legal custodians of applicants under 18 years of age are applying for visas together and intend to travel with the child, Form 1229 is not necessary.
For applications lodged online (e676)
All applicants under 18 years of age, whether travelling with their legal guardians or not, must provide Form 1229 and accompanying documents as explained above.
Do both parents need to sign the Form 1229?
It is a requirement for both custodial parents to sign the Form 1229. If you are divorced or have no contact with your former spouse the Department requires formal evidence of this from the Courts or a Government Authority. If the parents are Japanese, then the family register must list the parent who is signing the Form 1229 as having parental authority (shinken). If the parent is non-Japanese, then a court order showing that you have sole custody of your child is required.
What should I do if I don't have a passport?
If you don't have a passport, you will need to provide certified copies of other official documents to confirm your identity and signature, such as a driver's licence and credit card.
Student visa applications
For applications lodged at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo
As the student visa application form includes parent/guardian signatures, Form 1229 is not required. Applicants should provide an original or certified copy of parents'/guardians' passports and evidence of parenthood/guardianship.
For applications lodged online
All applicants under 18 years of age, whether travelling with their legal guardians or not, must provide Form 1229 and accompanying documents as explained above.