VEVO Explained: Visa Entitlement Verification Online
VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) is the Australian Government's free online service for checking visa details, conditions, and entitlements. Whether you're a visa holder wanting to confirm your work rights, an employer verifying a worker's status, or an education provider checking enrolment eligibility, VEVO provides real-time visa information directly from the Department of Home Affairs database. It's one of the most frequently used immigration tools in Australia.
What Is VEVO?
VEVO is a real-time lookup service that pulls information directly from the Department of Home Affairs visa records. It tells you — or anyone with authorised access — exactly what visa a person holds and what conditions are attached to it.
VEVO shows you:
- Your current visa subclass and grant date
- Visa expiry date (if applicable)
- Whether you have work rights and any limitations
- Visa conditions (numbered codes like 8105, 8501, 8202)
- Whether the visa is current, expired, or ceased
- Travel conditions (can you leave and return?)
VEVO doesn't show:
- Pending visa applications or their status (that's what ImmiAccount is for)
- Visa application history
- Points test scores or SkillSelect information
- Health or character check details
How to Access VEVO
There are several ways to check your visa through VEVO, depending on who you are and what you need.
For Visa Holders
Online via the VEVO website: Go to immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/already-have-a-visa/check-visa-details-and-conditions/check-conditions-online. You'll need:
- Your date of birth
- Your passport number or ImmiCard number
- Your visa grant number (found in your visa grant notification letter)
Via the myVEVO app: The myVEVO app is available for iOS and Android. It stores your visa details on your device so you can show them to employers, landlords, or service providers without needing internet access at the time. The app syncs with the VEVO database when you're online and caches the information locally.
Why the app matters: Ever been asked for proof of your work rights at a job interview? Opening the myVEVO app is faster and more convincing than digging through old emails for your grant letter.
For Employers and Organisations
Employers have a legal obligation under the Migration Act to only employ workers who have valid work rights. VEVO makes this verification simple.
Employer access options:
- VEVO online — Manual lookup using the worker's details
- VEVO API — Automated integration for large employers who process many checks
- myVEVO shown by the worker — The employee can show their app screen, though employers should verify independently
To use VEVO as an employer, you'll need the worker's:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Passport details or visa grant number
What happens if you don't check? Employing someone without valid work rights can result in significant penalties, including fines of up to $99,000 per illegal worker for individuals and higher for corporations. It's not worth the risk.
For Education Providers
Universities and registered training organisations use VEVO to confirm that international students hold a valid student visa (subclass 500) with the appropriate conditions, including condition 8202 (meet course requirements) and OSHC coverage.
Understanding Visa Conditions
When you check VEVO, you'll see a list of condition numbers. These are standardised across all visa types. Here are the ones you're most likely to encounter:
| Condition | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 8101 | No work permitted |
| 8104 | Work limited (no more than specified hours) |
| 8105 | Work limited to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods (student visa) |
| 8106 | No work until visa holder commences course |
| 8202 | Must meet course requirements (student visa) |
| 8501 | Must maintain health insurance |
| 8503 | No further stay — cannot apply for most other visas onshore |
| 8515 | Must remain married/in relationship with sponsoring partner |
| 8533 | Must notify address changes to Home Affairs |
| 8534 | Cannot apply for most other visas onshore (student visa) |
Condition 8503 deserves special attention. If VEVO shows this condition on your visa, you generally can't extend your stay by applying for another visa while in Australia. There are limited waiver options, but they're difficult to obtain. Check this condition before making plans that depend on staying longer.
VEVO vs ImmiAccount: What's the Difference?
People often confuse these two systems, so let's be clear:
| Feature | VEVO | ImmiAccount |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Check existing visa details | Lodge and manage visa applications |
| Shows conditions? | Yes | No |
| Shows application status? | No | Yes |
| Used for new applications? | No | Yes |
| Document upload? | No | Yes |
| Employer access? | Yes | No |
| URL | immi.homeaffairs.gov.au | online.immi.gov.au |
In short: ImmiAccount is where you apply; VEVO is where you check what you've got.
Why VEVO Matters for Immigration
For Visa Holders
VEVO is your proof of status. In Australia, visas are electronic — there's no physical sticker in your passport. Your VEVO result is the official confirmation of your visa and its conditions. You'll need it when:
- Starting a new job (employers must verify work rights)
- Enrolling in a course
- Accessing government services like Medicare or Centrelink
- Renting a property (some landlords ask for visa evidence)
- Applying for a TFN or ABN
For Employers
Beyond the legal obligation to check work rights, using VEVO protects your business. Workers' visa conditions can change — someone who had full work rights last month might have different conditions after a visa transition. Regular VEVO checks for your workforce aren't just good practice; for certain industries, they're audited.
For Migration Agents
Registered migration agents use VEVO extensively to confirm a client's current visa status before advising on next steps. It's especially useful when clients aren't sure what visa they're actually on, or whether a previous application was granted.
Key Details to Remember
VEVO is real-time. The information reflects the current state of the Department's records at the moment you check. If your visa was granted five minutes ago, VEVO should show it.
Electronic visas mean VEVO is your evidence. Australia moved to electronic visas years ago. Your visa grant notification email is one form of evidence, but VEVO is the authoritative, up-to-date source.
Results can be saved or printed. When you look up your visa on VEVO, you can save or print the results page as a PDF for your records. The myVEVO app also lets you share your status digitally.
VEVO doesn't cover citizenship. If you've become an Australian citizen, VEVO will show your last visa as ceased. Citizenship status is verified through different channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VEVO free to use?
Yes, completely free for everyone — visa holders, employers, education providers, and migration agents.
How often should I check VEVO?
Check whenever your visa status changes (new grant, new conditions), when an employer requests it, or if you're unsure about your conditions. There's no limit on how often you can check.
Can my employer force me to show my VEVO results?
Employers have a legal right — and obligation — to verify your work rights. You can either show them your myVEVO app results or provide the details they need to check VEVO themselves. Refusing to cooperate with a work rights check could cost you the job.
What if VEVO shows incorrect information?
Contact the Department of Home Affairs immediately. If there's a data error, you'll need to request a correction. In the meantime, keep your visa grant notification letter as backup evidence.
Can I use VEVO from outside Australia?
Yes. VEVO is accessible worldwide via the website. The myVEVO app also works internationally, though cached data may be outdated if you haven't synced recently.
Does VEVO show bridging visas?
Yes. If you're on a bridging visa while waiting for an application to be decided (for example, after an ART review), VEVO will show your bridging visa details and conditions.
