from the Minister of Immigration and Citizenship

World Youth Day pilgrims' visa application charges will be waived when they visit Australia in July next year for the largest event held in Sydney since the 2000 Olympics.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed today by the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Teresa Gambaro, and Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, will simplify the visa process for pilgrims.

'World Youth Day is a significant and exciting event for the people of Sydney and Australia, bringing more than 140 000 young people together from over 150 countries,' Ms Gambaro said.

'Australia is pleased to host this global gathering of Catholic youth and to welcome His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for his first visit to Australia.'

About 140 000 international pilgrims are expected to visit Australia for World Youth Day, 90 000 of whom are likely to apply for an electronic travel authority, with a further 50 000 arriving on tourist visas.

The influx of pilgrims is expected to inject millions of dollars into the Australian economy, as visitors take advantage of the special three-month visa to travel freely in Australia. It is also an opportunity for Australians to share their way of life with visitors from across the globe.

'The MoU signed by Cardinal Pell and me, confirms the government's commitment to these initiatives and formalises the partnership established between the department and the Catholic Church,' Ms Gambaro said.

To be eligible for the special visa arrangements, pilgrims will need to register on the World Youth Day website and have their nominations supported by their local bishop.
See: www.wyd2008.org.au.