Australia has announced a reduction of its migration target to 225,000 per year. Immigration Minister Tony Burke introduced a package of seven visa changes set to take effect in 2026. While the news primarily concerns migration, some points directly affect travelers—especially those planning long trips, study, or work during their holiday.
What exactly is changing
According to Business Standard, key changes include:
- Student visas: Students will no longer be able to bring family members (spouses and children)—this restriction is being tightened.
- Working Holiday: The working holiday program is cut by 84%. This means obtaining such a visa will become significantly harder.
- Overall migration target: Reduced to 225,000 per year.
The remaining four changes concern other visa categories, but details are not disclosed in the source. Note: exact effective dates and full conditions have not yet been published. Keep an eye on updates on Australia's official immigration portal.
Who is affected
For tourists visiting Australia for a short period (up to 3 months) on an ETA or visitor visa, the changes do not directly affect entry. However, if you planned to combine your trip with study or work under the working holiday program, the new rules could seriously complicate your plans.
Which nationalities are affected? The source does not specify, but traditionally the working holiday program is available to youth from the UK, Ireland, Canada, Germany, France, and several other countries. An 84% cut means quotas will be tighter and competition will increase.
Documents and fees: what to know
For tourist travel to Australia, you still need either an ETA (for citizens of certain countries) or a visitor visa (subclass 600). Fees and processing times depend on the visa type and nationality. Current information and applications can be found on the official portal immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
Visa fees are usually paid online by bank card. If your card is issued in Russia or another country with restrictions, you may face difficulties processing the payment. In such cases, travelers use virtual cards from international payment systems—this allows paying the fee and booking hotels without being tied to a local bank.
Payment side of the trip: what to watch
Beyond visa changes, keep financial nuances in mind:
- Paying for visa and bookings: Foreign cards are not accepted everywhere; hotel bookings often require a card with pre-authorization capability.
- Refunds: If you cancel a booking, a refund to a foreign card can take up to 30 days.
- Currency nuances: The Australian dollar (AUD) may be unavailable for purchase in some countries, so expect conversion through your card.
- eSIM and taxis: For communication and ride-hailing (Uber, DiDi), you'll need a local SIM or eSIM with card payment.
VirtCardPay virtual cards help solve these issues: you can issue a card in AUD or USD and pay for foreign services, including visa fees and bookings, without opening an account with a foreign bank.
What travelers should do
If you plan to visit Australia in 2026, follow official announcements. No major changes for tourist visas have been announced yet, but it's worth preparing documents in advance and checking proof-of-funds requirements. For those considering working holiday, the situation is getting tougher—perhaps it's worth looking at other destinations.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Check current rules on official websites.
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