Passengers walk with their luggage towards departure gates at Sydney International Airport in Australia, Oct. 25, 2017. Photo by Reuters
Australian authorities have cancelled the tourist visa of a Vietnamese man after spotting text messages in his phone that indicated he was working illegally there.
His case was featured in episode 14 (“The Big Haul,” part 16) of “Border Security: Australia’s Front Line,” an Australian factual TV program that aired on the Seven Network last September.
He was stopped at Sydney International Airport while entering with a tourist visa since he raised suspicions by returning to Australia after earlier staying there for three months and visiting Vietnam for just two weeks.
He only carried AUD1,400 (US$975) in cash for an intended two-month stay and could not demonstrate sufficient financial capacity through bank statements.
Further checks by immigration officers uncovered text messages discussing restaurant work, including requests for leave and wage payments.
Confronted with the evidence, the man admitted he had worked illegally during his previous visit, earning around AUD150.
For breaching tourist visa conditions, authorities revoked his visa and detained him pending deportation to Vietnam on the earliest available flight.
The documentary series offers an inside look at the daily operations of border agencies in that country, including the Australian Border Force, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and the Transport Security Agency.
It features real-life cases ranging from smuggling attempts to visa violations, demonstrating the legal authority of officers to inspect personal electronic devices when entry intentions are in doubt.
Under rules set by the Department of Home Affairs, a tourist visa permits foreign nationals to enter Australia for leisure, visiting family or short-term study of up to three months.
While the visa may allow stays of up to 12 months, holders are strictly barred from undertaking paid employment. Unpaid volunteer work is allowed but only if it is incidental to the trip and does not displace local workers.
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