Services for Australians Overseas
What We Can and Cannot Do
Assisting Australians overseas within limits.
Consular Privacy Collection Statement
Providing consular assistance to Australians overseas is a core function of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). In order to provide effective consular assistance, DFAT is required to collect, use and disclose an individual's personal information.
The privacy of consular clients and their families is a fundamental aspect of managing consular cases. This statement outlines how DFAT collects, uses, discloses and stores personal information related to consular cases in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988.
DFAT’s privacy policy can be accessed at http://www.dfat.gov.au/privacy.html
For more details please visit http://www.dfat.gov.au/dept/consular/privacy.html
Travel information for Australians
Get the latest travel advisories and other traveller hints from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
See also information about Australians living overseas
Online Registration for Australians Overseas
We encourage the use of this online registration service by Australians planning to reside overseas for extended periods, and those travelling to locations where there are security risks.
Helpful Links
- Citizenship
- Information About Australian Driver Licences
- Taxation Issues
- Birth, Death & Marriages Certificates
- Marriage Overseas
- Authentications and Apostilles
Citizenship by Descent
Applicants for Citizenship by Descent must apply to the Australian Consulate-General in Dubai.
How do I lodge the application?
There are three ways to lodge a Citizenship by Descent application:
1. In person, by appointment only, at the Australian Consulate-General in Dubai (call +971 4 5087 100 to make an appointment)
2. Through the Australian Visa Application Centres (AVACs).
Australian Visa Application Centre
Level 25, Al Tijaria Tower,
Al Sharq, Al Soor Street,
Kuwait City, Kuwait
9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sunday to Thursday
Submission until 4:00 pm
Ramadan Working Hours and Days
9:30 am to 3:30 pm, Sunday to Thursday
Submission until 2:30 pm
Website Address: www.vfs-au-gcc.com
Information Email ID: [email protected], [email protected]
For enquiries: helpline number is +971 4 205 5900
3. By courier to:
Australian Consulate-General
Level 25, Bur Juman Business Tower
Khalifa Bin Zayed Road
P.O. Box 124400
Dubai
United Arab
Application Charge
The application charge must be paid by a demand bank draft drawn on a UAE bank and should be made out to:
“Australian Consulate-General Dubai Austrade official public account”.
Passports
To complete an application for an Australian Passport Overseas.
You can: complete and print a Passport Application Form online,
Or obtain an application form from the Australian Embassy Kuwait.
The basic requirements for passport photos are as follow :
• 35 - 40mm wide and 45 - 50 mm high (Photograph Dimensions)
• Head Size : from the crown to chin ( Min 32mm - Max 36mm )
• Good quality colour on high quality paper, with no ink or marks on the image
• Plain, light-coloured background (e.g. cream, pale grey or white)
• Appropriate brightness and contrast and show your skin tones naturally
• Uniform lighting (no shadows across or behind the face), sharp focus and clear.
For more information on photograph guidelines for passports please visit https://www.passports.gov.au/passportsexplained/theapplicationprocess/passportphotographguidelines/Pages/default.aspx
To lodge your application please contact the Embassy in advance to make an appointment on +965-22322422, or by e-mail to [email protected]
Forms and information about passports for Australian Citizens are available at the passports website www.passports.gov.au
Passport Fees
Passport fees increased on 1 July 2015. Information about the new fees can be found on our passports website.
All passport fees are payable in cash in Kuwait Dinars at the nominated exchange rate.
For any further assistance please contact the Embassy on +965-22322422 .
Notarial services
The Embassy performs notarial acts, for which fees are charged, from 9:00am to 12:00 pm only. You must contact the Embassy prior to your visit to make an appointment. This will ensure that you receive immediate attention at the appointed time. For more details about notarial services and legalising documents overseas visit http://smartraveller.gov.au/services/legalising-documents-overseas.html.
Australian Official Documents
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified its requirement that Australian official documents (educational certificates, birth certificates, marriage/divorce certificate, powers of attorney, contracts, etc.) intended for use in Kuwait for work or immigration purposes should be attested by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia and then the Australian Embassy in Kuwait.
Australian and Non-Australian Educational Documents
In addition to the attestation requirements above by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign for work or immigration purposes, please note the following:
- If the Australian educational document is intended for use outside Kuwait, we regret that we are unable to attest such documents unless they are attested first by the admissions office of the issuing institution.
- If the educational document is intended for use in Kuwait (for work, immigration or other purposes), it must be attested by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia before the Australian Embassy in Kuwait can attest it.
- With regards to non-Australian educational documents, we regret that we are unable to attest the originals of these documents. We can only do certified/true copies of these documents. Should you require attestation of the originals of non-Australian educational documents, please contact the Embassy of the issuing country of your educational document.
Driver's Licences
The Australian Embassy in Kuwait issues documents requesting an Australian driver's licence to be recognised by the Kuwaiti authorities. (This service is charged).
Police Clearances
Police Clearance Issued From Kuwait
The Embassy issues documents requesting the Kuwaiti authorities to grant police clearances for immigration or work purposes. (This service is charged)
Police Clearances are Needed for Residency in Kuwait.
If you are an Australian citizen coming to Kuwait to work, you will need a police clearance from the Australian Federal Police.
The Department of Immigration at the Ministry of Interior in Kuwait clarified its requirement of all foreign applicants for residency in Kuwait to provide a “Police Clearance” certificate showing they have had no criminal charges against them in their countries of origin. The police clearance must be:
- Certified by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia.
- AND Certified by the Kuwaiti Embassy in Australia.
Former residents
A gateway to information about Australian benefits, payments and services.
Elections
Get information for overseas voters