Australian Visa Extensions for Egyptian Tourists

Australian Visa Extensions for Egyptian Tourists

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October 18, 2011 – The Australian federal government is considering the possibility of giving travel visas Australia extensions for Egyptians affected by the fresh outbreak of violence targeting Coptic Christians in their homeland.
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen had announced recently that Egyptian nationals travelling in Australia under tourist visas to Australia affected by events in Cairo and wishing to apply for travel visa Australia extension would have their cases treated sympathetically.

According to Mr. Bowen, in view of the unfolding situation in Egypt, Egyptians who are travelling in Australia under tourist visa to Australia are assured that the Immigration department will take into account the circumstances in their home country when dealing with requests for extensions of their tourist visa in Australia.
Egyptian nationals who are unable to fly back home to Egypt or who are on temporary travel visas to Australia are encouraged to contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on 131 881 as soon as possible.
DIAC also recommended that Australians who planning to travel to Egypt should also keep in close contact with the Australian government officials.
According to reports, there are already 25 people killed in sectarian clashes in Cairo and have injured about 300. Those killed are mostly Christian Copts.
Immigration Minister Bowen and Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd earlier have told Labor caucus that they were keeping an eye on the situation.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has recently reissued its travel advice for Egypt that warns Australians of the increase in sectarian tensions and that Islamist extremists have made threats against Coptic churches in Egypt.
Jim Wallace, the Australian Christian Lobby head has called on the Australian government to condemn the violence in Egypt in stronger terms.
According to Mr. Wallace, the Australian government should demand that the Egyptian authorities should guarantee religious freedom and protection of the Copts and other religious minorities.