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Visas, Immigration and Refugees

Online Services - Browser Requirements


Because of the importance of keeping your data secure, these online visa services requires your browser to support 128 bit encryption.

This provides the highest level of encryption generally available today. To check that your browser is compatible follow the instructions below.

Supported browsers

Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer version 5.0 (Windows), 5.1 (Apple Macintosh) or higher is required. You will need to check that the browser includes high-level encryption.

You can check your version and encryption strength by choosing Help, then About Internet Explorer.

If the version is incorrect or Cipher Strength shows anything smaller than 128 bit, then you need to upgrade your browser. You can either click the Update Information link next to the Cipher Strength in the About box.
See: Microsoft Help and Support

You can follow the instructions for upgrading your browser.

Internet Explorer 'About' image

This Internet Explorer 'About Box' shows a browser that needs to be upgraded for 128 bit support.

Netscape

Netscape Navigator or Communicator v4.75 or higher is required. For best results, v6 is recommended.

The latest versions of Netscape all include 128 bit encryption support. If your browser is not supported, you can upgrade your browser.
See: http://home.netscape.com/comprod/mirror/index.html

Other known issues

Internet Explorer 7 – Connection timed out

Internet Explorer 7 users may experience the Internet Explorer error message ‘connection timed out’. The common reason for this error relates to a website page that is not displayed within a few minutes. Internet Explorer imposes a time-out limit for a page to load.
See: Microsoft Help and Support

Internet Explorer 8 – Page navigation errors

Internet Explorer 8 users may receive the following page navigation error message:

'The system has detected unexpected page navigation. This can occur if you use your browser's Back button or a bookmark to move between pages. While using this system, please use only the buttons and links displayed on the page to move between pages. Click OK to return to the current working page.'

To avoid this problem you are encouraged to use only the buttons and links displayed on the page to navigate between pages or reinstall Internet Explorer 7.

Root certificate expired

If your browser version is less then the recommended browser versions, you may receive a message indicating that 'the root certificate has expired'.
If you receive this message, you can do one of the following:

  1. select the option to continue - this will provide an encrypted session to protect your data in the same way as if you had not received this message, however your browser will not be able to to verify that it is guaranteed to be connected with this department's web server; or
  2. upgrade your browser to a recommended version; or
  3. download the new Global server certificate root to your browser by following the instructions at the Verisign website.
    See: www.verisign.com.au/custsupport/rootrollover

To continue with online visa services, use your browser's 'Back' button.