Australian Immi App: How to Use the App for Your Visa Application

Last updated: Apr 29, 2026

The Australian Immi App is a free mobile app from the Australian government that lets eligible visa applicants submit their biometrics — a passport scan and a facial photo — straight from their phone.

Instead of travelling to a biometrics collection centre, you complete the whole process at home in about 10 minutes.

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What Is the Australian Immi App?

The app is built by Australia’s Department of Home Affairs specifically for collecting biometric identity data from visa applicants. “Biometrics” here means two things: your passport details (scanned from the identity page and electronic chip) and a live photo of your face taken with your phone’s camera.

Previously, every applicant who needed to provide biometrics had to visit an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (ABCC), run by VFS Global. For people living far from a major city, that meant a trip — sometimes across the country — just to have their photo taken and passport scanned.

The Immi App eliminates that trip. You do the same thing from your phone, and the data is sent directly to the Department of Home Affairs.

One important detail: the app does not store your data after submission. Once your passport scan and facial image are transmitted, the app deletes everything from your device.

Who Needs to Use It?

You only need the Immi App if the Department of Home Affairs has specifically asked you to provide biometrics.

Not every visa applicant gets this request; it depends on your nationality, the visa type, and your application history.

Here’s how to know if the app applies to you:

You’re located in one of the 47 eligible countries (the list is recently expanded) at the time of submission
You’ve received a “Requirement to provide personal identifiers” letter from the Department of Home Affairs after lodging a visa application
Your Visa Lodgement Number (VLN) starts with “AUI” — this prefix means you’re eligible to use the app instead of visiting a collection centre

According to immigration law firms, the Department typically issues AUI-prefix VLNs to applicants who have previously provided their biometrics — including both a facial image and fingerprints — to the Department in an earlier visa application.

If this is your first time providing biometrics, you will likely need to attend an ABCC in person.

If your VLN does not start with AUI, you’ll need to attend an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre in person instead. The letter you receive will explain which option applies to you.

The app works alongside any visa type that requires biometrics, including visitor visas (subclass 600), student visas (subclass 500), and work visas. The key trigger is the biometrics request letter, not the visa category.

How to Use the Australian Immi App: Step by Step

The whole process takes about 10 minutes if your passport and phone are ready. Here’s exactly what to do.

Before You Start

Make sure your phone meets these requirements:

An iPhone or Android smartphone with a working camera
NFC (Near-Field Communication) enabled — go to your phone’s settings and turn this on
Location services turned on for the Immi App
A stable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection

You’ll also need your passport and the biometrics request letter with your VLN. Remove any phone case or wallet cover, as these can interfere with the NFC scan.

Step 1: Download the App

The Australian Immi App is free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Search for “Australian Immi App” — the developer should show as the Australian Government.

Step 2: Enter Your Visa Lodgement Number

Open the app and enter the VLN from your biometrics request letter. You can type it in manually or scan the barcode on the letter. Remember, it must start with “AUI” for the app to work.

Step 3: Scan Your Passport

Open your passport to the identity page (the one with your photo and personal details). Hold your phone over the page — a red outline on screen will turn green when the passport is positioned correctly.

Make sure the entire page is visible, including the two lines of machine-readable text at the bottom. Avoid glare, shadows, or covering any part of the page with your fingers.

Step 4: Read the Passport Chip (NFC)

If your passport has the e-passport symbol (a small rectangle with a circle inside on the cover), the app will ask you to read the electronic chip. Place your phone flat on the closed passport cover and hold still.

Don’t move the phone while it’s reading — a progress bar will show the scan is in progress. This step can take a few seconds. If it fails, try repositioning the phone slightly — the chip location varies by passport.

Step 5: Take Your Selfie

Stand in front of a plain, light-coloured background with even lighting on your face. The app will display an oval on screen; centre your face within it, look directly at the camera, and keep your eyes open.

The app captures the photo automatically when your face is correctly positioned. No need to tap a button.

Step 6: Review and Submit

Check that all the extracted passport information is correct on the review screen. If anything looks wrong, go back and rescan. You can also enter an email address to receive a submission confirmation.

Once you submit, your ImmiAccount will be updated within 24 hours. After that, your visa application continues through the normal assessment process.

What If the App Doesn’t Work?

If you run into problem, you can always fall back to an in-person appointment. But most issues have simple fixes.

NFC scan keeps failing: Remove your phone case entirely. Try placing the phone on different parts of the passport cover — the chip position varies by country. Hold very still for at least 5 seconds
Passport page won’t scan: Make sure the entire identity page is visible, including the machine-readable zone at the bottom. Avoid shadows and glare — try near a window with natural light
Face photo won’t capture: Use a plain light background, remove glasses and head coverings if possible, and ensure even lighting with no harsh shadows on your face
App says your VLN is invalid: Double-check the number from your biometrics letter. It must start with “AUI” — if it doesn’t, the app isn’t available for your application

If none of these work, your biometrics request letter includes instructions on how to book an appointment at your nearest Australian Biometrics Collection Centre instead.

You can also contact the Department of Home Affairs through the ImmiAccount technical support form for app-specific issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Australian Immi App free?

Yes, the app is completely free to download and use on both iPhone and Android.

Does the app store my personal data?

No. According to the Department of Home Affairs, the app deletes all passport details and facial images from your device immediately after transmitting them.

How long until my ImmiAccount is updated after I submit?

Within 24 hours. After that, your visa application continues through the standard assessment process.

Can I use the app if I’m in India or Indonesia?

Not yet. As of April 2026, neither India nor Indonesia is on the list of 47 eligible countries. You’ll need to visit an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre instead.

Do I still need to visit a biometrics centre if I use the app?

No. If you successfully submit through the app, you do not need to attend an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.