How to pay your Australian visa fee from the Philippines

Current Australian visa fees

Fees vary by subclass. Common examples: Visitor visa (subclass 600) approximately AUD 190, Student visa (subclass 500) approximately AUD 710, and Employer-Sponsored visa (subclass 482) AUD 1,455–2,645. Check the Home Affairs website for current fees (Home Affairs).

Accepted payment methods

ImmiAccount accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB, and UnionPay. Philippine-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards are the most commonly used by Filipino applicants.

The ImmiAccount surcharge is approximately 1.4% for credit cards and 0.98% for debit cards. Your card issuer converts PHP to AUD at their rate, typically 2–4% above mid-market.

Common card-decline reasons

International transactions disabled. Many Philippine bank cards have international online payments disabled by default. Enable through your bank's mobile app or internet banking. BDO, BPI, and Metrobank all allow online activation.

Daily international limit too low. Philippine banks set separate limits for domestic and international card transactions. The default international limit may be lower than the visa fee. Increase it before attempting payment.

Fraud detection. An unfamiliar AUD charge triggers bank fraud alerts. Pre-notify your bank or temporarily increase your transaction limit through the app.

Insufficient credit limit. Higher-value visas (Partner, Employer-Sponsored) can exceed the credit limit on some Philippine cards.

Payment alternatives

VAC payment. Applications lodged through VFS Global's Visa Application Centre in Manila may accept alternative payment methods at the centre.

Third-party payment. A contact in Australia or another country can pay on your ImmiAccount using their card.

Prepaid forex cards. Some Philippine banks offer Visa/Mastercard prepaid cards that can be loaded with USD. These are designed for international payments and are less likely to be declined.

Payment-failure recovery

Check your bank statement if payment fails. Debited amounts for failed transactions are typically reversed within 5–10 business days. Do not retry until you confirm whether the first attempt was charged. Contact Home Affairs if not reversed within 14 days.

Receipt and refund

Successful payment shows as a TRN in ImmiAccount. Download the receipt. Refunds for refused applications are generally not available. Refund processing takes 6–8 weeks.

Why is my Philippine card being declined?

Most commonly: international payments not enabled, daily international limit too low, or bank fraud block. Enable international payments and increase limits first.

Can I pay at the VFS centre in Manila?

Payment options at VFS centres vary. Contact VFS Global Philippines for current accepted methods.

What exchange rate will I pay?

Your card issuer's PHP/AUD rate, typically 2–4% above mid-market.

Can someone in Australia pay for me?

Yes. They can use their card on your ImmiAccount login.

What if I was charged but the payment failed?

The charge is usually reversed within 5–10 business days. Contact Home Affairs with your transaction reference if not reversed within 14 days.