Indian Consular, passport and visa services in Australia have been temporarily unavailable since 1 July 2026.

This suspension is affecting the usual process for obtaining Indian Police Clearance Certificates through VFS Global and the relevant Indian consular authorities in Australia. We understand that this may be concerning for clients who:

• are currently waiting for an Indian Police Clearance Certificate;
  
• are preparing to lodge a visa application;
  
• have already lodged a visa application and may be asked to provide an updated certificate; or
  
• have previously provided an Indian police certificate that is now more than 12 months old.
  
  

The Department of Home Affairs has provided some guidance on how affected applications may be managed while the suspension remains in place. Clients who have already applied for an Indian police certificate. Where an application was submitted before the suspension, processing may be delayed until services resume. Affected clients should retain:

• their application receipt;
  
• any confirmation received from VFS Global;
  
• payment records;
  
• appointment details; and
  
• any correspondence from VFS Global, the Indian High Commission or an Indian Consulate.
  
  

Clients whose visa applications are being managed by Abacus Visa should forward this evidence to us if it has not already been provided. This information may be required to demonstrate that the certificate was requested and that any delay is outside the applicant’s control.

Clients who may require an Indian Police Clearance Certificate should not be concerned if they are currently unable to submit an application through the usual process. Where we are managing your visa application, we will assess:

• whether an Indian police certificate is required;
  
• when it would ordinarily need to be obtained;
  
• whether the visa application can proceed while the certificate is unavailable;
  
• whether a previously issued certificate may be relevant; and
  
• what steps should be taken once services resume.
  
  

Clients do not need to repeatedly contact VFS Global or the Indian Consulate unless we advise that this is necessary. We will provide individual instructions based on the visa being applied for, the stage of the application and the applicant’s personal circumstances.

Requests from the Department of Home Affairs

For clients represented by Abacus Visa, any formal request for further information from the Department will ordinarily be sent directly to our office. We will monitor the relevant deadline and determine the appropriate response. Where a new Indian police certificate cannot be obtained because services remain suspended, we may submit a written request to the Department seeking additional time. This would generally include:

• an explanation of the temporary suspension;
  
• evidence of any previous attempts to obtain the certificate;
  
• evidence that the applicant is currently unable to apply;
  
• details of any existing police certificate; and
  
• confirmation that a new certificate will be provided when services resume, if required.

An extension is not automatic and will be considered by the Department based on the circumstances of the individual application. However, the Department has confirmed that applicants may request additional time where they are unable to obtain the certificate because of the suspension.

Previously issued Indian police certificates

The Department has indicated that a new Indian police certificate may not always be required where:

• the applicant has previously provided an Indian police certificate; and
  
• the applicant has not returned to India since that certificate was issued.
  
  

However, this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The Department may still request a new certificate depending on factors such as:

• the date the previous certificate was issued;
  
• whether it was provided for the current visa application;
  
• the applicant’s travel history;
  
• the stage of the application; and
  
• any other relevant character or identity considerations.
  
  

Clients who hold a previously issued Indian Police Clearance Certificate should ensure that we have a copy, together with details of any travel to India since it was issued. We will assess whether the existing certificate may be sufficient or whether a new certificate is likely to be required once services resume.

How Abacus Visa is managing affected applications

We are aware that a number of our clients are currently affected by this issue. For visa applications being managed by Abacus Visa, we are:

• identifying applications that may require an Indian police certificate;
  
• monitoring any existing Department deadlines;
  
• reviewing whether a previously issued certificate may remain acceptable;
  
• retaining evidence of the suspension and any unsuccessful attempts to apply;
  
• progressing all other aspects of the visa application where possible;
  
• requesting additional time from the Department where appropriate; and
  
• monitoring for confirmation that Indian consular services have resumed.

The temporary suspension does not necessarily prevent a visa application from being lodged or processed. The appropriate strategy will depend on the visa category, the stage of the application, whether a certificate has previously been provided and whether the Department has issued a formal request. Clients whose applications are already being managed by Abacus Visa do not need to contact the Department directly. We will contact affected clients if we require further information, evidence or action.

Clients who have already applied for an Indian police certificate should send us a copy of their receipt and any related correspondence if this has not already been provided. Clients who have not yet applied do not need to take any immediate action unless instructed by us.

We will continue to monitor the suspension and will provide further advice when services resume or if the Department issues any additional guidance.

This newsletter provides general information only. Police clearance requirements and the treatment of unavailable or previously issued certificates will depend on the circumstances of each visa application.