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Do I need a transit visa for an 8 and a half hour layover in Sydney, Australia? I have no intention of leaving the airport. Also, would I need to pass through customs and immigration?

I'm travelling with a passport from South Africa, I have a visa to get into new Zealand, I don't pass through immigration nor customs, and that's according to someone whose been in transit as well. My flight is from Johannesburg to Dubai, from Dubai to Sydney and from Sydney to New Zealand

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    It really just depends. If your transfer requires you to go through immigration, then yes. However, it also depends on your nationality too. Where are you from?
    – TravelLikeBeaker
    Apr 19, 2019 at 23:46
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    In addition to your citizenship, what countries are you traveling from and to?
    – Nate Eldredge
    Apr 19, 2019 at 23:56
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    What country issued your passport? What is your flight itinerary?
    – Michael Hampton
    Apr 20, 2019 at 1:50
  • @naiveai The OP isn't travelling via the Schengen area. That question is irrelevant.
    – user105640
    Apr 1, 2020 at 4:35

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Yes, as transit without visa arrangements are only valid for transits of less than 8 hours. According to the Department's web site (emphasis added):

If you are from an eligible country (see eligible countries listed below) you can transit through Australia on your way to a third country without an Australian visa provided you meet all of the following criteria:

  • will arrive in Australia by aircraft
  • have a confirmed ticket to leave Australia to travel to a third country by aircraft within 8 hours of arriving
  • have valid travel documents to enter that country
  • must not need to clear immigration or leave the airport transit lounge for any reason before boarding your onwards flight.

Even if you meet all other criteria, including being of an eligible country, if you need to clear immigration, for example to collect or transfer baggage onto, and/or to board, your onwards flight, you will need an Australian visa to do this. For more information see Transit facilities at Australian airports.

As a South African citizen, you will need to apply for a Transit (subclass 771) visa. Alternatively, if you can reschedule your flight so that you will be transiting Australia for less than 8 hours, you will be able to utilise the transit without visa arrangements.

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  • I'm travelling with a passport from South Africa, I have a visa to get into new Zealand, I don't pass through immigration nor customs, and that's according to someone whose been in transit as well. My flight is from Johannesburg to Dubai, from Dubai to Sydney and from Sydney to New Zealand
    – Veronica92
    Apr 20, 2019 at 6:13

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