5755 (2024). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister of Immigration

Written Question

Published date: 30 Apr 2024

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	5755 (2024)
Question asked:	11 Apr 2024
Member asking:	Ricardo Menéndez March
Portfolio:	Minister of Immigration
Minister replying:	Hon Erica Stanford
Answer received:	22 Apr 2024
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_05755_2024
Document guid:	14974537-52ce-447c-a8b2-afc41365e768

5755 (2024). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister of Immigration: Has the Minister considered waiving visa application fees for Palestinian nationals during the crisis in Gaza, and if not, why not?

Hon Erica Stanford: I am not currently considering waiving visa application fees for Palestinian nationals as I have been advised that the visa application fee of $246 is not amongst the most significant barriers to people in Gaza are facing. The most significant issues are the complexity and difficulty in crossing the border. In addition, the waiving of fees requires complex ICT changes to implement and has financial implications both in the cost of changes and the funding required to cover the cost of waiving fees.