Passports and Visa History: how it works in Australia — first-hand
Short answer
You must declare all valid passports in your application, even if only one is used for travel, and include details of expired passports to document your travel history. Organize files by categorizing the main bio page, past visas, and stamped pages separately, while focusing on current financial stability rather than relying solely on past documents.
From real experience
If an applicant holds multiple passports but intends to use only one for travel to Australia, they must still declare the existence of other passports.
When asked 'Does this applicant have any other passports or documents for travel?', select 'Yes'. In the subsequent fields, provide details of the additional passport, even if it won't be used for this trip. Use the cover letter to explain the situation and clarify which passport will be used for travel.
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When applying for an Australian visa and traveling with a partner who is a German citizen (eligible for ETA, which costs 20 AUD and is processed quickly, unlike the free eVisitor), it is advisable to attach a copy of the German passport to the visa application and include it in the cover letter as additional proof of joint travel.
For uploading passport documents: in the 'Travel documents' section, generally only the front page of the primary passport is required; empty pages are not needed. If an applicant has a second valid passport, some recommend uploading it with other old passports/visas, while others consider it unnecessary for the main 'Travel documents' category.
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For Australian visa applications, if you have a lost passport with previous Schengen visas, you can mention this in your cover letter and provide supporting evidence if available, such as photos from Europe.
However, relying solely on old Schengen visas from a lost passport might not be a strong factor in your application, as visa officers may not be convinced by them. It's best to focus on current financial stability and the purpose of your trip to Australia. The application form has a section for 'Evidence of previous travels,' where you might be able to upload relevant documents or notes.
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For the Australian 600 visa, document organization is crucial for processing efficiency.
Recommend applicants to categorize files: 1) Passport bio page (main scan), 2) Travel history (stamped pages from the last 10 years), 3) Visas (separate file for all past significant visas). Empty pages are unnecessary. Consistency in document layout and clear filenames are advised for visa officer convenience. Do not include domestic identification cards (like internal Russian passports) unless specifically required.
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When applying for an Australian visa, if you have traveled to countries without entry/exit stamps or used visa-free regimes, you can detail your travel history in the 'Cover Letter' (CL) section.
It is recommended to upload scans of all visas separately and also scan pages with entry/exit stamps from your passports. This ensures the immigration officer has a complete record of your travel.
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When applying for an Australian visa, a Russian internal passport is not required.
If you choose to submit it, ensure it is translated. For the 'Visa History' section, list all visas from both your current and previous passports. Additionally, ensure all documents are within the file size limits, splitting them if necessary.
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When applying for an Australian visa with multiple valid passports, scan and upload all passports that contain relevant visas or stamps.
The electronic visa will be linked to one passport, but providing details of all valid passports is acceptable and may be required in the application form.
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When applying for an Australian visa, it is advisable to include details and a scan of your expired passport.
This document can serve as evidence of your previous travels and visa history, providing a more complete picture to the immigration officer and reinforcing your application.