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Australia Visitor Visa: Requirements, Eligibility and Application Process

Updated: February 7, 2024

Australia Visitor Visa is the only option to visit Australia as a tourist for many nationalities. If you don’t qualify for either the Electronic Travel Authority(ETA) or the eVisitor Visa, then you will need to get a Visitor Visa.

Australia no longer accepts paper applications for the visitor visa. All applications must be lodged online through the Australian Government Immi Portal.

The Visitor Visa has subclass 600 in Australia’s visa documentation and the subtype we’re interested in is the “Tourist stream (apply outside Australia)”.

Quick summary:

• Eligibility: All nationalities are eligible
• Validity: Valid for 6 months, 1 year or 3 years with single or multiple entries
• Duration of stay: Generally, 3 months allowed stay, but up to 6 or 12 in some cases
• Visa fee: Visitors visa fee is 190 AUD
• Processing time: 50% of applications are processed in 7 days and 90% in 21 days.

If you haven’t already, read the  Australia Visa Guide  to familiarize yourself with Australian tourist visa types, requirements, eligibility and entry procedures at the border.

Table of Contents

Understanding australia visitor visa.

Visitor visa validity

The Australian Visitor visa is valid for 6 months, 1 year or 3 years from the date of issue. The validity of the visa depends on your nationality and circumstances. For example, most Indian passport holders get a 3-year valid Australian visa, whereas Phillippine passport holders get a 1-year valid visa. Pakistan nationals get a 6-month validity.

You must visit Australia within the validity of your visa.

Duration of stay

Most Visitor visas granted allow for 3 months of continuous stay in Australia. Depending on circumstances, you might be granted a stay of 6 months or even 12 months.

Allowed number of entries

Most Visitor visas are multiple-entry , but Home Affairs also issues single visas in certain circumstances for certain nationalities.

When to apply

Since the tourist visas are valid for at least 3 months, it’s a good idea to apply well in advance. Most applications get processed in 3 weeks or fewer.

Visa extension

Australia Visitor visa is non-extendable . If you need to  extend your stay in Australia , you are allowed to apply for another Visitor Visa (onshore) from within the country.

Australia Visitor Visa Requirements

Who requires a Visitor Visa?

Australia Visitor Visa is REQUIRED for all nationalities to enter Australia as a tourist, except for the below.

• New Zealand passport holders
• Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
• eVisitor Visa
• Those transiting in Australia for less than 72 hours and can get a Transit visa .

Documents required

To support your application, you can attach as many as 60 documents online. You don’t have to attach that many but the more documents you provide, the better your chances of approval.

You have to satisfy the Home Office that:

• You are who you say you are
• You are a genuine visitor who will not overstay or work illegally
• You are of good character and not have a criminal record
• You won’t be a burden to Australia’s healthcare system

To do this, attach as many of these documents as you can :

Identity documents

• Valid passport (must be valid for the duration of the stay)
• Valid National ID card (if from a country that issues them)
• marriage or divorce certificate;
• change of name documents;
• documents that show other names you have been known by
• Residence Permit/Visa (if residence and citizenship differ)
• One passport-size photo

Genuine visitor documents

• Itemized personal bank statements for the last 3 months. Aim to have at least 5000 AUD in your bank account. The money cannot be deposited suddenly and inexplicably – it should be from legitimate sources and savings over time.
• Tax returns
• Credit card statements
• their relationship to you
• the purpose of your visit and length of stay
• if you will be staying with them
• Proof of their funds (if they will be paying for your stay)
• Your plans or travel itinerary while in Australia  
• a letter from your employer stating you plan to return to your job
• proof that you study at a school, college or university in your home country
• proof that you have immediate family members in your home country
• proof that you own a house or other major assets in your home country;
• Confirmed return flight ticket;
• Health Insurance

At a later date, you may be required to obtain and submit the following:

• Medical Certificate
• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

All non-English documents (except for police certificates) must be translated into English and all documents’ copies (both original and translations) must be certified.

Photo requirements

You need one passport-size digital photo for the Visitor Visa application. The photo must meet the following requirements. 

• Taken in the last 6 months
• Showing your head and shoulders against a plain background
• Neutral facial expression with mouth closed, eyes open, and looking at the camera
• Religious head coverings are allowed but must not obscure the face
• Piercing is allowed but must not cause any reflections or shadows

There is no official guidance for the size and resolution of pictures uploaded online but the file type must be JPG. You will get to move the photo to position your face within a frame.

As long as the picture is clear, crisp, and not excessively big, it will be accepted.

Visitor visa fee

The Australian Tourist Visa application fee is 190 AUD , payable online.

You may also have to pay for:

• Health checks
• Police certificates

Processing time

Australian immigration reports that 50% of applications are processed in 7 days and 90% are processed in 21 days . These periods start after you submit your biometrics (if required).

Visitor Visa Application Process

How to apply

You must apply for your tourist visa online through the Immi Portal. Applying on paper is not possible for the visitor visa anymore. Follow the below steps:

• Go to the ImmiAccount portal and create an account
• Click on “New application” and pick “Visitor Visa (600)”.
• Enter your personal information, passport details, employment details and financial information
• Upload your documents such as passport, photo, etc.
• Pay the required visa fee
• Submit the application

The Visitor Visa is part of Australia’s biometrics program. If you apply for a Visitor Visa from any of the below countries, regardless of your nationality, you must give your biometrics.

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Kazakhstan 
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Saudi Arabia
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Korea
• United Arab Emirates

If you apply from one of these countries, you will receive an email informing you that you need to visit an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (ABCC) to have your biometrics collected. The biometrics are usually a face photo and fingerprint scan.

You must complete the biometrics procedure within 14 days of getting this email otherwise your application becomes void without a refund!

AABCs are typically managed by VFS Global. They charge a service fee for biometric collection. This fee depends on AABC and the country you are applying from.

For example, the biometric service at AABC in Dubai, UAE is AED 109.17. The biometric service fee at AABC in Manila, Philippines is PHP 557.

How to schedule biometric appointment?

Within 24 hours of applying for your Visitor Visa, you will receive an email with a biometric request letter from Home Affairs. Follow these steps to schedule your biometric appointment.

Find the nearest ABCC to you and follow the prompts to schedule your biometric appointment.

How to attend biometric appointment?

Follow the below steps to attend your biometric appointment at an AABC.

• Arrive at the AABC at least 15 minutes before your appointment time
• Original passport
• Biometric appointment confirmation
• Biometric fee receipt and
• Biometric request letter received in the email from Home Affairs
• Your facial photo is taken and your 10 fingertips are scanned

What if you can’t attend your appointment?

If you can’t make an appointment, you can reschedule your appointment up to 24 hours before your scheduled appointment date and time. You can reschedule up to 2 times.

What if you miss your appointment?

If you miss your scheduled appointment, you will lose the fee paid as the biometric fee is nonrefundable. You will also have to wait 24 hours to schedule a new appointment.

How to track status

You will receive the status of your application in your email. You can also track the status of the visa in your ImmiAccount.

How to download approved visa

When your Visitor Visa is approved, you will receive a grant letter in your email from Home Affairs. The grant letter is your Visitor Visa.

The Visitor visa is electronically linked to your passport, so you don’t need to download or print your Visitor Visa.

If you’re ever asked to show any proof, you can use the Grant Notification you received in your email. You can also download it from your ImmiAccount under “Visa Grant Details”.

How to check the validity of your Visitor Visa

The expiration date of your Australia eVisitor visa is indicated as “Must not arrive after” on the visa letter. If you lost your grant letter or don’t have a copy of your Visitor Visa, you can check the validity details on the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) portal by using either your Visa Grant Number or Transaction Reference Number.

Customer service

Refer to the Self-help Guidelines for information to troubleshoot any issues. If facing issues with your ImmiAccount or the Visitor visa application, contact customer service using the below webform

Web: ImmiAccount Technical Support Form

Procedure at the border

The Visitor Visa is digitally attached to your passport so you don’t need to print anything. When you enter Australia, simply present your passport and be ready to answer a few basic questions about your visit.

Eligible passport holders can use the Smart Gates for faster arrival and departure procedures.

All visitors including Australian citizens are required to fill out an Incoming Passenger Card on arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does it take to get an australian tourist visa.

It can take up to 3 weeks to get an Australian tourist visa, especially if submitting your biometrics. It can be faster or slower depending on where you are applying from, your circumstances and the number of documents you submit.

How hard is it to get a tourist visa to Australia?

It is easy to get a tourist visa to Australia if you submit a complete application with as many documents. You must convince the Home Office that you won’t overstay or break the conditions of the visa.

How much bank balance is required for Australia tourist visa?

Australian Home Office doesn’t specify the minimum bank balance required for a tourist visa. Your bank account must show continuous cash flow and not a lump sum deposited recently. 

Based on the reports from travelers reports and recommendations from embassies, you should aim for at least 5,000 AUD in your bank account when you apply.

Can you get a 3-year visitor visa to Australia?

Yes, you can get a 3-year visitor visa to Australia if are from an eligible country and meet the requirements. Australian Visitor Visa is issued for 6 months, 1 year or 3 years depending on your nationality and circumstances. For example, Indian nationals can get an Australian tourist visa valid for 3 years.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

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VISAS TO AUSTRALIA

Ph: 0475 036 111.

Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)

ABOUT THIS VISA

The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is a temporary visa for tourists, business visitors or to visit family for 3, 6 or 12 months. There are 6 streams for this visa type.

COSTS & DETAILS OF THE VISITOR VISA (SUBCLASS 600)

The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) currently has varied costs depending upon which stream you apply for. The processing times can vary depending upon the stream you apply for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)

WHAT THIS VISA LETS YOU DO

The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) allows you to temporarily stay in Australia for tourist, visit or other business purposes for up to between 3, 6 and up to 12 months. What you are able to do is dependent upon what stream you apply for. For more information, scroll down below.

TOURIST STREAM (APPLY FROM AUSTRALIA)​​

WHAT THIS STREAM LETS YOU DO

The cost of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) - Tourist Stream (Apply from Australia) is currently $365AUD and you can stay for up to 12 months. Most processing times are within 26 days. With this visa you can:

visit family or friends

be here as a tourist, for a cruise or for any purpose except business or medical treatment

You can study or train for up to 3 months in total on this visa. But if your main reason for travelling to Australia is study, a student visa might be more appropriate.

You cannot work.

You will need a visa if you enter Australia during a cruise. If your cruise is a round trip cruise, the time you spend on the cruise counts as time spent in Australia - that is, we do not consider you have left Australia. A round trip cruise will not reset your stay period on your visa. Ask your cruise operator or travel agent if we consider your cruise to be a round trip cruise.

ELIGIBILITY FOR THE VISITOR VISA (SUBCLASS 600) - TOURIST STREAM (APPLY FROM AUSTRALIA)

To be eligible for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) - Tourist Stream (Apply from Australia) , you will need to demonstrate that you:

Meet the necessary health requirements.

Meet the necessary character requirements.

Have sufficient funds to cover the costs of your trip.

Be a genuine visitor - This means you have the intention to visit Australia temporarily and only do the things that the visa allows you to do.

You must demonstrate that it is in the best interests of a child if you are under 18.

TOURIST STREAM (APPLY OUTSIDE  AUSTRALIA)​​

The cost of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) - Tourist Stream (Apply outside Australia) is currently $145AUD and you can stay for up to 3, 6, or 12 months. Most processing times are within 26 days. With this visa you can: :

ELIGIBILITY FOR THE VISITOR VISA (SUBCLASS 600) - TOURIST STREAM - APPLY OUTSIDE AUSTRALIA

To be eligible for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) - Tourist Stream (Apply Outside Australia) , you will need to demonstrate that you:

You must have adequate health insurance.

You must have no outstanding debts to the Australian government.

SPONSORED FAMILY STREAM

The cost of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) - Sponsored Family Stream is currently $145AUD (however the Department usually requests a security bond). You can stay for up to 3, 6, or 12 months. Most processing times are within 55 days. With this visa you can: :

ELIGIBILITY FOR THE VISITOR VISA (SUBCLASS 600) - SPONSORED FAMILY STREAM

To be eligible for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) - Sponsored Family Stream , you will need to demonstrate that you:

You must have a sponsor. Your sponsor can be either:

a family member in Australia

an Australian government official

If a family member wants to support you without becoming a sponsor, you can apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream. Provide a letter of invitation from your family member with your application.

BUSINESS VISITOR STREAM

The cost of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) - Business Visitor Stream is currently $145AUD. You can stay for up to 3 months. Most processing times are within 18 days. With this visa you can:

make general business or employment enquiries

investigate, negotiate, enter into or review a business contract

conduct activities as part of an official government visit

take part in a conference, trade fair or seminar. The organisers can't pay you to take part

You can't:

work for or provide services to a business or organisation based in Australia

sell goods or services directly to the public

If you want to do short-term work in Australia that isn't a business visitor activity, consider applying for a temporary work visa.

APEC Business Travel Card holders

You might not need to apply for a visa to travel to Australia if you hold an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card (ABTC). We consider you to have applied for a Visitor visa when you applied for the ABTC.

ABTC holders (other than New Zealanders) might be granted a Visitor (subclass 600) Business Visitor stream visa to visit Australia.  If you hold an ABTC with ‘AUS’ printed on the back, you can enter Australia for short-stay business visitor or tourism activities for as long as the ABTC is valid. The ABTC is valid for 5 years from the date we issue it.

If you apply for and are granted a separate visa, the visa associated with your ABTC will cease.

ELIGIBILITY FOR THE VISITOR VISA (SUBCLASS 600) - BUSINESS VISITOR STREAM

To be eligible for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) - Business Visitor Stream , you will need to demonstrate that you:

Perform Business Activities. As a business visitor, you can:

APPROVED DESTINATION STATUS STREAM

This visa stream is for citizens from certain areas of China visiting Australia on a tour organised by an approved travel agent. This visa lasts for the time frame specified in your visa grant letter. The department will consider the length of your tour when we determine your stay period. The cost of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) - Approved Destination Status Stream is currently $145AUD. You can stay for the period or until the date we specify in your grant letter. Most applications are granted within 4 days. With this visa you can:

can enter Australia with your approved tour group

can participate in activities that are part of your tour

must leave Australia with your tour group before your visa expires

ELIGIBILITY FOR THE VISITOR VISA (SUBCLASS 600) - APPROVED DESTINATION STATUS STREAM

To be eligible for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) - Approved Destination Status Stream , you will need to demonstrate that you:

It must be in the best interests of a child under 18.

FREQUENT TRAVELLER STREAM

This visa stream is for citizens of the People's Republic of China who travel often to Australia for business or personal reasons.. The visa can be granted for up to 10 years. Stay up to 3 months each time you enter for up to 12 months in any 2 year period. The cost of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) - Frequent Traveller Stream is currently $1065AUD. You can stay for up to 3 months at a time. Most applications are granted within 15 days. With this visa you can:

be here as a tourist, for a cruise or a holiday

undertake business visitor activities

ELIGIBILITY FOR THE VISITOR VISA (SUBCLASS 600) - FREQUENT TRAVELLER STREAM

To be eligible for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) - Frequent Traveller Stream , you will need to demonstrate that you:

HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS VISAS

The  Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) needs to be done right first time and to avoid unnecessary delay, use a registered migration agent Mark Pelley - Principal Migration Agent for Visas To Australia. The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) requires substantial documentation to support claims made in the application. This process can be lengthy and confusing. Failure to correctly apply for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) could result in a rejection from the Department of Home Affairs and having to reapply and to pay all costs again. Contact VISAS TO AUSTRALIA to help you apply for this visa.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT TODAY

Book an appointment with VISAS TO AUSTRALIA today by calling us on 0403 875 409 or send us an email [email protected] .

To see other BUSINESS visas available, click on the links above or to go back to a list of the different types of visas, click HERE .

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Visitor Onshore 600 Visa

Visitor Onshore 600 Visa requirements, processing times and costs.

• Extend stay in Australia for tourism purposes.
• Tourist activities include holidays, recreation or seeing family and friends.
• In Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted.
• Not have condition 8503 'No further stay' on your current visa.
• You must have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Australia.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Generally processed in 2 to 6 weeks. Depends on passport nationality and travel history. It may take less time in some circumstances.

Take the Free Assessment to determine the appropriate type of visa for your situation and then start the application process.

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Visitor Visa – Subclass 600

Home » Immigration Visas » Visitor Visas

Touristic Visitor Visa

Do you wish do come to Australia for a holiday, business visit or to visit family members? Or would you like to visit for work and holiday purpose? Depending on the purpose of your visit, your individual circumstances and the proposed period of stay, you may be eligible for either a Visitor Visa or a Working Holiday visa, if you meet the relevant requirements.

Visitor visa:

The visitor visa is commonly known as a “tourist visa” if the purpose of your stay is holidaying in Australia or visiting family and friends for up to 3, 6 or 12 months. There are a few different visa subclasses available depending on the purpose of your visit as well as your current location and country of passport. To meet the criteria for a visitor visa, you must:

• Have a genuine intention to stay in Australia temporarily only
• Have adequate access to or means to support yourself
• Meet the relevant health and character requirements.

If you are in Australia holding a Visitor visa, you may also be eligible for an extension of your stay, if you meet the relevant criteria.

The 600 Visa has 6 streams:

Tourist Stream (apply in Australia)

Onshore Tourist Stream allows you to visit Australia as a tourist or visitor to see your family or friends. You can stay up to 12 months for this visa and you must be in Australia to apply.

Tourist Stream (apply outside Australia)

Offshore Tourist Stream allows you to visit Australia as a tourist or visitor to see your family or friends. You can stay up to 12 months for this visa and you must be outside Australia to apply.

Sponsored Family Stream

You might be eligible for the Sponsored Family Stream if you have a family member in Australia. This stream allows you to study up to 3 months and you can stay in Australia for up to 12 months as a visitor.

Business Visitor Stream

You might be eligible for the Business Visitor Stream if you are a citizen of the People’s Republic of China and you want to travel to Australia with an approved travel agent.

Approved Destination Status Stream

You might be eligible for the Business Visitor Stream if you intend to come to Australia for business visitor activities. This stream allows you to stay and undertake business visitor activities for up to 3 months.

Frequent Traveller Stream

You might be eligible for the Business Visitor Stream if you are a citizen of the People’s Republic of China. This stream allows you to visit Australia as a visitor and undertake business visitor activities for up to 3 months. You can stay up to 3 months with this visa and it can be granted up to 10 years

What are the benefits of the 600 Visa?

With a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) you can:

• stay up to 12 months in Australia
• either travel to and from Australia as many times as you want or enter only once depending on your visa grant
• study up to 3 months (except the Business Visitor, Frequent traveller and Approved Destination Status streams)

What are the costs of the 600 Visa?

The Department of Home Affairs visa cost for

• Tourist Stream – Onshore is AUD $365
• Tourist Stream – Offshore is AUD $145
• Sponsored Family Stream is AUD $145
• Business Visitor Stream is AUD $145
• Approved Destination Status Stream is AUD $145
• Frequent Traveller Stream is AUD $1,065

How long does it take to get the 600 Visa?

The Department of Home Affairs assesses applications on a case-by-case basis and processing time for

• Tourist Stream – Onshore is 3 – 4 months
• Tourist Stream – Offshore is 3 – 4 months
• Sponsored Family Stream is 4 – 5 months
• Business Visitor Stream is 1 – 2 months
• Approved Destination Status Stream is not available
• Frequent Traveller Stream is not available

Completing application with necessary documents, responding to any requests quickly and providing required information can help expedite the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extend the Visitor Visa?

You cannot extend the Visitor Visa. You need to apply for the same or another visa to remain in Australia.

How long can parents stay with the 600 Visa in Australia?

The Visitor Visa allows you to stay up to 12 months but if you are a parent of an Australian citizen or permanent residents, you may be eligible to get a visa up to 5 years if you have applied for the Parent Visa (Subclass 103) .

Can I get a Visitor Visa for a medical surgery?

You can apply for a Visitor Visa for medical purposes such as you are coming for a orthopaedic surgery , eye surgery , or visiting a cosmetic surgery clinic .

Why choose us?

Visitor visas in particular can be highly complex especially for applicants from high risk countries. Our Immigration lawyers ang agents can help you assess your eligibility and tailor your visa application to your circumstances ensuring the relevant criteria is met. Contact one of our immigration specialists on  0292830888  or  request a call back .

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Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)

• October 9, 2023
• Harpreet Sidhu

The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is designed for individuals planning to visit Australia for tourism, business activities, or family visits, permitting stays of 3, 6, or 12 months. It features six distinct streams, each catered to various travel goals and needs.

Understanding the visa process is crucial, whether you’re planning a leisurely vacation, a business trip, or a family visit. This article offers an in-depth exploration of the Australian Visitor Visa (Subclass 600), highlighting its different streams, cost, eligibility, and the frequently asked “Australian tourist visa processing time.”

Delving into the Subclass 600 Streams

A. Tourist Stream ( Apply from Australia)

• Cost: $365AUD
• Stay Duration: Up to 12 months
• Processing Time: Typically within 26 days
• Key Features: Enables visitors to explore Australia, visit family/friends, and engage in short-term studies, excluding work.
• Health and Character Standards Compliance
• Australian Government Debts Settlement
• Sufficient Financial Resources Assurance
• Genuine Visitor Intentions Assurance
• Child Welfare Consideration

B. Tourist Stream (Apply Outside Australia)

• Cost: $145AUD
• Stay Duration: 3, 6, or 12 months
• Processing Time: Usually within 26 days
• Key Features & Eligibility: Similar to the Onshore Tourist Stream but applicable from outside Australia.

C. Sponsored Family Stream

• Cost: $145AUD (may require a security bond)
• Processing Time: About 55 days
• Key Features: Tailored for family visitors with a mandatory sponsor requirement.
• Eligibility: Similar to the Onshore Tourist Stream with an added Sponsorship Requirement.

D. Business Visitor Stream

• Stay Duration: Up to 3 months
• Processing Time: Around 18 days
• Key Features: Supports business-related activities like inquiries, contract negotiations, and conference attendance, excluding direct selling or providing services to Australian entities.
• Health and Character Requirements Adherence
• Financial Adequacy Assurance
• Allowable Business Visitor Activities

E. Approved Destination Status Stream

• Stay Duration: Specified in the visa grant letter
• Processing Time: Usually within 4 days
• Key Features: Intended for citizens from certain Chinese regions visiting through an approved travel agent.
• Health and Character Requirements Compliance

F. Frequent Traveller Stream

• Cost: $1065AUD
• Stay Duration: Up to 3 months per visit for a maximum of 10 years
• Processing Time: Generally 15 days
• Key Features: Exclusively for citizens of the People’s Republic of China who travel frequently to Australia for business or personal purposes.

Visitor Visa 600 Application Process

• Ensure Accurate Information: Ensure all information provided is accurate and truthful to avoid visa application refusal or potential 10-year bans for you and listed family members.
• Compile Necessary Documents: Provide substantial proof of your temporary visitor status, financial stability, and plans during your stay.
• Prepare Your Documents for Submission: Ensure all non-English documents are translated, scanned or photographed in colour, and are clear and legible.
• Apply for the Visa Online: Ensure all information is accurate and truthful.
• Post-Application Steps: Wait for a confirmation of receipt from the visa processing team and avoid making travel arrangements until your visa is granted.
• Manage Your Application: If there are errors in your application, inform the authorities immediately using Form 1023.
• Await Visa Outcome: If approved, you will receive your visa grant number, start date, and visa conditions.

Additional Notes:

• Help with Your Application: You can nominate someone to receive correspondence, provide immigration advice, or act on your behalf by using specific forms or written notifications.
• Changes Post-Submission: Ensure to communicate any changes or additional information promptly through the appropriate channels.

Concluding Thoughts: Embarking on Your Australian Adventure

With a comprehensive understanding of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) and its various streams, you’re one step closer to exploring the enchanting landscapes, vibrant cultures, and diverse experiences that await in Australia.

Ensure your application aligns with your travel intent, adhere to the eligibility prerequisites, and consider obtaining professional guidance to smoothly navigate through the visa application process.

Engaging a registered migration agent, such as Ultimate Migration , can facilitate a hassle-free application, preventing potential delays or rejections.

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Visitor Visa

Even if you are from a medium to high risk country, visiting Australia may be possible when you have a family member who is a Australian permanent resident or citizen and living in Australia.

The subclass 600 visitor visa allows the visa holder to make short trip(s) to Australia for personal or business reasons. There are several streams under this visitor visa. We will discuss the two streams that are the most commonly applied-for, the tourist stream and sponsored family stream in this article.

How long can I stay for?

It depends. More frequently, subject to grant of the visa, visa holders are allowed to make multiple entries in and out of Australia and stay for a maximum of 3 months on each stay in a 12-month period. This means that whilst you may be granted a visitor visa for 12 months, you cannot stay in Australia for more than 3 months each time you enter and leave the country.

We have encountered cases where visitor visa holders have been allowed to travel back and fro Australia and stay for a maximum of 3 months on each stay in a 4-year period. The visa holder sometimes could also be allowed to stay for a maximum consecutive period of 12 months.

Where the Department of Home Affairs might be hesitant about whether you will be compliant on your visitor visa (i.e. return to your home country before your visa expires), you could be given rights to a single entry into Australia and be allowed to stay for less than 3 months.

Types of visitor visa streams under subclass 600 visitor visa

Like a few other temporary and permanent Australian skilled and business visas, the subclass 600 is made up of multiple streams. You will need to pick one to apply for the subclass visitor visa under.

The 5 streams of visitor visas have their own unique requirements for grant.

Tourist stream

Sponsored family stream.

• Business visitor stream
• Frequent traveller stream
• Approved Destination Status stream

Eligibility: are you a Genuine Temporary Entrant?

What's common to all 5 streams is the requirement to show that the visa applicant is a "genuine temporary entrant". These are some factors that the Department may take into consideration when you make a visitor visa application:

• Whether you complied with your visa conditions when you last visited Australia (if you have visited)
• Your assets, family (spouse, partner or dependent children) or employment in home country - this is to assess if you are able to support yourself and whether you have a strong personal incentive to return to your home country
• Your previous international travel history
• Your connections to Australia - if most of your close personal connections are based in Australia, you may be assessed as someone who is more likely to be more than a visitor
• Economic circumstances or disruption in your home country
• Whether applicants from your home country largely do not comply with visa conditions or overstay
• Your age - unaccompanied minors will need to include a completed and signed undertaking from their parents, a relative over 21 years old or an organised tour. Applicants over the age of 70 will be required to show evidence of private health insurance and may be required to undertake health exams.

You may be able to apply for this visa if you are intending to tour around Australia, visit your family or partner, study for up to 3 months, buy property, or undertake volunteer work in non-profit organisations.

If you have never visited Australia before, we recommend that you seek professional advice on which stream suits your circumstances best.

Visitor visas under the tourist stream may be applied for in or outside Australia. A letter of invitation from a friend or family may be included as part of your application, but usually the case officer will put greater focus on other aspects of your evidence.

If you are applying for a visitor visa under the tourist stream from outside Australia, your application will most likely be processed at the nearest Australian visa processing centre.  Limited circumstances exist where your local processing centre is overloaded and your application may be transferred to another visa processing centre.

All case officers of the Department of Home Affairs are required to abide by Australian values. If you believe that your application under this stream has been refused unfairly, we recommend that you seek advice from a registered migration agent or lawyer before making another visa application under the same stream.

Visitor visas under the sponsored family stream can only be applied for from outside Australia.

Applicants for this stream need a sponsor who is a "settled" Australian citizen or permanent resident. The visa sponsor is typically expected to have lived in Australia for 2 full years before the date of the visa application.

The sponsor needs to be a "relative" of the visa applicant, OR a relative of another applicant who is a member of the family unit of the applicant, OR a relative of another applicant in relation to whom the applicant is a member of the family unit.

A "relative" is defined under the legislation to mean:

• grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew, or a step-grandparent,
• stepgrandchild, step-aunt, step-uncle, step-niece or step-nephew,
• the spouse or de facto partner
• child, parent, brother or sister
• step-child, step-brother or step-sister

Visa holders under this stream will carry a mandatory 8503 No Further Stay condition. This condition prevents the visa applicant from making any further visa applications when they are in Australia.

This condition can only be waived in limited circumstances. The writer has encountered cases where the visitor visa applicant has had several prior visitor visa refusals under the tourist stream, and later succeeded when the subsequent visitor visa application was made under the sponsored family stream. Please note that this only applies on a case-by-case basis, and it is best to seek advice from a registered migration agent if you are eligible and most suited for an application under this stream.

8101 "No Work" Condition and Remote or Online Work

As a visitor visa holder under either stream, you are subjected to the 8101 condition, which means that you cannot work while you are holding this visa. There is no option to apply for work rights as a visitor visa holder.

If you are doing work remotely for an employer overseas that is incidental to your holiday in Australia, it is generally not a breach of the "no work" condition. For instance, you may be just keeping up to date with your work back home while on your holiday. So long as you can prove that you are not taking a job opportunity away from an Australian in Australia, it is unlikely that you will breach your "no work" condition.

As of 01 November 2021, parents are regarded as "immediate family members" for the purpose of Australia's inbound travel ban exemption. Whilst it is not necessary to be vaccinated, being doubly vaccinated and carrying appropriate certificate could help with smoother travels within Australia, as states such as New South Wales enact vaccination passport policies. Your vaccination certificate must confirm you have been vaccinated with a vaccine approved or recognised by the TGA.

Quarantine requirements will vary and depend on the state your family member is travelling to.

After lodging an offshore partner visa

If you have lodged an offshore partner visa with strong supporting evidence, you may subsequently apply for a visitor visa in order to visit your partner in Australia while your partner visa is being processed. This is especially the case if there is a special occasion, you and your partner have lived together for a significant period of time.

After lodging an onshore partner visa

Lodging an onshore partner visa means that you will need to be onshore at the time of your visa's decision. When you lodge an onshore partner visa while on a substantive visa (such as a student or working holiday visa), you will be given a bridging visa A at the time of lodgement. If you have lodged an onshore partner visa and an urgent need arises for you to visit family outside of Australia (such as in the case of illness), you will need to organise an appropriate visa to return to Australia prior to departing. In the situation where you are holding a bridging visa A as described above, you will need to organise a bridging visa B which includes a travel facility prior to departing. We strongly recommend against departing without arranging for a means to return to Australia beforehand.

Other types of visas for visitors

As a visitor to Australia, you may also be eligible for the following visitor visas, dependent on which country you are applying from.  We will be discussing these visas in detail in a blog article coming up shortly.

• subclass 651 eVisitor visa
• subclass 601 Electronic Travel Authority

Thinking of applying for a visitor visa and not sure which one is most suited for your next visit to Australia? Book a Strategy Session with our principal registered migration agent today for an in-depth discussion on your options.

Novel coronavirus (covid-19 ) and your visitor visa.

Update on 26 Feb 2021: A new legislation has been put in place to allow for nil VAC for certain subclass 600 visitor visa applicants. If you were last granted a Subclass 600 visitor visa, other than in the Frequent Traveller stream, while outside Australia before 21 March 2020, and are looking to apply for another subclass 600 visitor visa now, please seek advice on whether this new rule applies to you.

Update on 12/10/2020: Visitor visa holders who are overseas and visitor visas expired or will expire between March 2020 and December 2021 are eligible for a waiver when they apply for a new visa. Please note that you should organise to have a travel ban exemption granted prior to your visitor visa being finalised.

Update on 13/03/2020: Covid-19 bans have been extended for citizens of Italy, Iran, South Korea and China attempting to travel to Australia following the advice by the WHO that the virus has been escalated to a pandemic status.

Update on 02/02/2020: In view of the measures put in place by the Australian Government to ban all travellers from mainland China with the exception of Australian Citizens, Permanent Residents and immediate family members of Australian Citizens including spouses, minor dependents and legal guardians, many visa applicants or holders are left in a position of uncertainty. As a visa holder (such as the visitor visa), you may have been affected by the measures enacted due to the novel coronavirus Covid-19.

If you have been in mainland China before 01 February 2020 and have entered Australia, there is a possibility that your visa will be cancelled. If you have been granted a visitor visa and have been in mainland China before 01 February 2020, it is important that you do not seek entry to Australia.

If you are currently holding a visitor visa and are looking to extend your stay in Australia, please seek migration advice on how to organise this as soon as possible. ‍

‍ Disclaimer: The content on this page does not constitute legal or immigration advice. For advice on your specific circumstances, please book a Strategy Session here to speak to our Australian-registered migration consultant .

Avelyn Chen

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Australian Visitor / Tourist visas (subclass 600)

This visa is recommended for businessmen, tourists, or those who plan on visiting their family for 3, 6 or 12 months. There are a few streams of this visa which are described below:

Tourist Stream (onshore)

This visa is applied from within Australia. With the tourist stream visa, you can enter Australia as a tourist, visit your family and friends or tour Australia for any other purposes except medical treatment or business.

Visa Validity: The stay is valid for up to 12 months.

Cost: The cost starts from AUD 365.

Eligibility

• Meet the crucial health requirements
• Meet the character requirements
• Clear all your debts to the Australian government
• Have sufficient funds to support your tour
• Be a genuine visitor
• Obey all the conditions and stay period attached to the visa
• Make sure the visit will not harm any dependent child/ secondary applicant under 18.

Processing Time: 90% of applications are processed in 25 days.

What can you do with this visa?

• You may be allowed to stay for up to 12 months in Australia
• Visit family, friends, cruise or have an amazing holiday
• If you hold another visa that is about to expire and you plan on staying longer, tourist stream visa perhaps is the best option for you.

Tourist Stream (offshore)

This stream of tourist visa is applied from outside Australia. With this visa, you will be able to visit Australia as a tourist, visit family and friends, and even go on a cruise.

Visa Validity: The stay period is up to 12 months

Cost: The cost starts at AUD 145

• Have health insurance

Processing Time: 90% of the applications take 25 days

• You are allowed to stay in Australia for 3, 6 or even 12 months
• Eligible parents of Australian residents might be granted with longer visa validity
• Visit family and friends, cruise or have a holiday.

Sponsored Family Stream

This particular visa stream allows people who have been sponsored, generally by a family member, to go to Australia to visit their family and friends.

Cost: It costs AUD 145. The government may ask the sponsor to pay a security bond.

• Ensure a temporary stay in Australia
• Obey all the conditions and stay duration attached to the visa
• No debt to Australian Govt.
• The visit is in the best interests of the child under 18.
• You must be sponsored by an eligible family member who is a permanent Australian resident.
• The sponsor may be required to pay a security bond

Business Visitor Stream

You can visit Australia for business purposes with a valid business visitor stream visa.

Visa Validity: The stay period for business visitor stream is for up to 3 months

Cost: The visa costs AUD 145

• Conduct all the business visitor activities

Processing Time: 90% of the applications require 18 days.

• You may consider visiting Australia for business reasons, however; you will not be allowed to sell goods, work or offer any other services
• You will be allowed to enter Australia once or several times while the visa is valid
• You must be outside Australia when you want to apply and the government decides on the visa

Other visa options!

• subclass 189
• subclass 190
• subclass 491
• subclass 186
• subclass 494
• subclass 482
• subclass 407
• subclass 600
• subclass 188
• subclass 173
• subclass 143
• subclass 870
• subclass 309
• subclass 820
• subclass 300
• subclass 124
• subclass 858
• subclass 500
• subclass 485
• subclass 476

Registered Agent

Immi Visa Pty Ltd is an Australian registered immigration and visa consultancy firm based in Sydney (MARN:0851085) with branch offices in Dhaka and Punjab. Australian Immigration system and visa application procedure is somewhat confusing and complex. Visa refusal is a common phenomenon. These refusals are mostly caused by lack of knowledge regarding the application process and immigration regulation.

Our experienced Migration Agent constantly monitors all the changes to immigration laws in order to be able to provide precise guidelines to clients.

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Thursday, 14 Mar 2024

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Tourist Visa Extension Australia: How to Extend Your Visitor Visa

Is your 3-month tourist visa period about to end? There’s still a way you can legally extend your visit as a genuine tourist—by simply reapplying for a new Tourist visa onshore (a.k.a Tourist visa extension)!

Technically speaking, getting a Tourist visa ‘extension’ is synonymous with applying for an onshore Tourist visa. Once you’re granted this new Tourist visa, you won’t have to leave Australia before the usual 3-month visit period ends.

Keep reading to learn about the visa’s eligibility requirements, supporting documents, conditions and FAQs

When is a Tourist visa Australia extension possible?

Typically, tourist visas are granted for 3-month stays at a time. You’ll have to exit Australia before each period ends and then re-enter if you intend to return.

If you wish or need to stay in Australia longer without leaving the country, you can apply for an onshore tourist visa. This extends your stay for up to 12 months, with the department deciding the exact length of the extension.

To be eligible for this tourist visa extension, make sure:

• Your current tourist visa hasn’t expired
• There’s no Condition 8503 – no further stay condition attached to your current visa
• Your total stay in Australia won’t exceed 12 consecutive months
• You have enough money to fund your extended stay
• You have compelling reasons for staying longer, which may include:
• Exploring the different states of Australia for tourism purposes
• Participating in local festivals or cultural events
• Supporting sick or dying friend or family member

You can’t extend this visa further beyond the maximum 12 months allowed.

If you find yourself in special circumstances or are simply uncertain, seek professional advice from a trusted Australian migration agency . They’ll give you insights and clarify expectations regarding your situation.

How to Apply for Extension of Tourist Visa in Australia

Applying for an extended tourist visa is the same as applying for a tourist stream visitor visa the first time:

• Login to your ImmiAccount .

You can read our ImmiAccount Guide to help you create and log in to your account. 

• Click on ‘New Application’ and click on Visitor Visa 600.

• Fill in the correct responses under ‘Application Context’. 
• Tick ‘No’ for the question, Is the applicant currently outside Australia? A prompt will appear, confirming that you’re applying for an onshore tourist visa.

• Provide details of the request for an extension or further stay.

• Accurately provide information for all required fields. This will be about 19 pages, including:
• Applicant bio
• Passport details
• Contact information
• Details of your travel in Australia
• Employment details
• Financial status
• Health and character declaration
• Visa history
• Review the summary of information. Make sure to correct any mistakes and update the information.
• Attach all requirements and supporting documentation.
• Pay the visa application fee.

Tourist Visa Extension Requirements

Below is a checklist of documents you must submit together with your online application form:

• Passport with your photo, bio and issue and expiry dates
• Marriage or divorce certificates (if applicable)
• Evidence of previous travel, such as entry/exit stamped pages of your passport, photos, etc.
• Proof of sufficient funds, such as bank statements, payslips, etc.
• Proof of return to home country, such as assets, properties, investments, ongoing employment or studies
• Travel itinerary or tourism plans
• Invitation letter for tourist visa from family or friends (if applicable)

If the inviter is sponsoring your stay, attach documents such as:

• their visa status/citizenship
• financial status, such as employment details, bank statements, pay slips, etc.
• lease agreement, house bills, etc.
• Health certificate (if required)
• Police certificate (if required)
• Adequate health insurance

Tourist Visa Extension Australia Fee

As of writing, the cost of applying for an onshore Tourist visa is AUD 475.

Note that this can change depending on the Department of Home Affairs.

Also, this covers only the basic application charge. You must pay for other fees like health checks and police certificates separately. 

Tourist Visa Extension Processing Time

Typically, you can receive your new tourist visa within a few days. 

Based on data from the Department, 50% of applications are processed in 8 days, and 90% within 27 days.

To prevent unnecessary delays, make sure to complete your online application thoroughly and correctly, attach all supporting documents, and respond promptly if more information is requested.

When to Apply for Tourist Visa Extension

We recommend that you apply for the extension 3 to 4 weeks before your current Tourist visa expires.

What are the conditions attached to my Tourist visa?

A tourist visa typically comes with these conditions:

• Visa condition  8101 – you must not work in Australia
• Visa condition 8201 – you must not study in Australia for more than three months

In some cases, other discretionary visa conditions may also be attached, such as:

• Visa condition 8501 – you must maintain adequate health insurance
• Visa condition 8531 – you must leave Australia before your visa expires
• Visa condition 8558 – you must not remain in Australia for more than 12 months in any 18 month period
• Visa condition 8503 (no further stay) – you cannot apply for another substantive visa during your stay in Australia

We recommend you regularly do a quick VEVO check to review the conditions of your visa and stay lawfully in Australia.

Can I request a waiver of the no further stay condition?

Yes, you can request a waiver of visa condition 8503 No further stay . However, approval is at the discretion of the Department. Usually, they grant it in dire, unforeseen circumstances, such as:  

• Serious medical issues that prevent travel
• Family emergencies like severe illness or loss
• Unsafe conditions in your home country, such as natural disasters or civil unrest

To make a request, fill in the online No Further Stay waiver request form .

You may also submit by post using this paper application form . 

Attach the following to your application:

• Copy of your passport showing your bio and issue dates
• Proof supporting your reasons for further stay (e.g. medical reports)

You must submit this before your current visa expires.

Can I bring my parents to Australia on a Tourist visa?

Yes, you can do so by helping them apply for a separate Tourist visa.

If you’re looking to bring your parents to Australia on a long-term basis, you can explore Family visas like the 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa or 838 Age Dependent Relative visa.

If I can’t extend my Tourist visa, can I apply for other visas instead?

Yes, you can as long as your tourist visa does not have a condition that prevents further stay (visa condition 8503). Otherwise, you must first request for the further stay condition to be waived before applying for any substantive visa.

If you’re planning to pursue Australian studies, you can apply for Student visa . Or, if you’re interested in seeking employment, pursue Australian working visas instead.

Looking for help with your tourist visa extension?

If you’re unsure about your eligibility for a tourist visa extension, KBA Global’s friendly migration agents are here to help. 

We’re happy to shed light on your situation and assist you with the application process. We can also help you explore other visa options, should your plans change for your extended stay.

Schedule a free consultation so you can discuss your case with us further.

Disclaimer: The above information is a general guide and not professional immigration advice. Be aware that immigration laws and regulations can change swiftly, potentially rendering some or all of the information outdated. Thus, before using the information above, we recommend checking the current laws with assistance from a migration agent or the Department of Home Affairs website.

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Australian Tourist Visa (Subclass 600): Extension And Facts To Know

Blink! Blink! Blink! We landed in 2022, and it feels like it was only yesterday when everyone was travelling and visiting new countries, states, and towns. Covid-19 robbed people of their lives, enterprises, and personal connections. Everyone has been checking Covid-19 updates and travel updates first thing in the morning for the past two years, wondering when they will finally be able to travel overseas or call their loved ones closer to them. After over two years of preparation, Australia has finally opened its doors to tourists and other visitors. With the reopening of the border, there are a lot of mixed feelings among relatives and friends. After Australian citizens, permanent residents, students, and temporary residents, Australian visitor visa holders are the last to be granted permission to enter Australia. Following the news, there has been much discussion about the Australian tourist visa, its eligibility, conditions, processing time, and extension. The application process for an Australian tourist visa is broken down into steps to make it easier for persons who want to apply for visas for themselves or family members.

Which visa to apply for if you are a tourist?

The tourist visa is part of the visitor visa category. Individuals can enter Australia on a visitor visa subclass 600 to see their families or friends who live there, for business, or travel around Australia.

Tourist Stream (Applicant currently in Australia) – This visa allows you to visit Australia for various purposes other than business or medical treatment. The purpose of applying for this visa should be solely to visit Australia, and you should have the funds to support yourself while there. Most significantly, you must be present in Australia when the application is filed and the decision is made.

Tourist Stream (Applicant from Outside Australia) – This visa permits you to travel around Australia as a tourist, go on a cruise, or visit relatives and friends. The requirements for this category are similar to those for the previous one: you must have the intent to apply for this visa exclusively and have sufficient cash to show that you can support yourself in Australia. On this visa, the applicant is unable to work.

Sponsored Family Stream Visa – This visa allows candidates to visit Australia sponsored by a family member. For this category, the candidate must have a sponsor and only visit Australia.

Business Visitor Stream : The purpose of visiting Australia should be related to business activities such as job or business inquiries, contract negotiations, or participation in conferences. Additionally, you must remain outside of Australia when applying for the visa and while the decision on the application is being made.

Approved Destination Status Stream – Applicants in this category must hold a passport issued by the People’s Republic of China. In addition, the applicant must be a part of the tour, which a licenced travel agent must organise.

Frequent Traveller Stream : The applicant must have a passport issued by the People’s Republic of China. This visa enables these citizens to visit Australia for business or personal reasons.

What is the processing time for an Australian tourist visa?

Tourist Stream (Applicant currently in Australia): 15 days-11 months

Tourist Stream (Applicant outside Australia): 15 days- 11 months

Sponsored Family Stream Visa: 28 days- 10 months

Business Visitor Stream: 3 days-17 days

Approved Destination Status Stream: Depends on the age of the applications finalised in each period.

Frequent Traveller Stream: Depends on the age of the applications finalised in each period.

Disclaimer:  The processing time indicated is the average range of time it takes to make a visa determination. Although, according to the Department of Home Affairs, it varies from application to application and is subject to modification.

What are the requirements for applying for Australian tourist visa?

Applying for an Australian tourist visa, the applicant must-

1. Meet the health requirement

2. Meet the character requirement

3. Must have enough funds to support themselves while in Australia

4. Doesn’t owe the Australian government any money (You must have paid the money back or have arranged to pay it back).

5. Intend to stay temporarily in Australia

How to apply for an Australian tourist visa?

Australian tourist Visa can be applied in four simple steps:

Step 1 : Log in or create an Immi Account. Step 2:  Start filling online application for visitor visa subclass 600 by selecting the correct stream. Step 3:  Attach all relevant documents required. Step 4:  Submit your application by paying the fees.

How to apply for an Australian tourist visa extension?

Tourist Visa Extension for Offshore Applicants

You can apply for a new Visitor Visa with a VAC waiver if your tourist visa has been impacted by Covid-19. This waiver applies only if you are outside of Australia and previously held a Visitor visa subclass 600 that was issued before March 21, 2020, expired, or will expire between March 20 and June 30, 2022, and was either a multiple-entry visa or a single-entry visa that was not used to travel to Australia. To be eligible for this chance, you must submit a new application using Immi Account  by December 21, 2022 . To be qualified for the waiver, you must state in your online application that you previously held a tourist visa and that it has been affected by Covid-19. *The VAC waiver can only be used once.

Tourist Visa for Onshore Applicants

Before applying for a new visa, make sure you don’t have any conditions on your current. There is an 8503 condition of no further stay in most cases, which can be found in the conditions section of your existing visa. In these cases, you must first seek a waiver before proceeding to the next step for onshore application.

For further information visit,  https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/refunds-and-waivers-visa-application-charges

How much does the Australian Tourist Visa cost?

Tourist Stream (Applicant currently in Australia): A$370

Tourist Stream (Applicant outside Australia): A$145

Sponsored Family Stream Visa: A$145

Business Visitor Stream: A$145

Approved Destination Status Stream: A$145

Frequent Traveller Stream: A$1,085

Disclaimer:  This information is subject to change with respect to the Department of Home Affairs department.

What is the difference between e-visitor visa 651 and visitor visa 600?

The main distinction between the two visas is that the e-visitor visa 651 is only available to citizens of specific countries. You can use the link provided below to see if your passport fits under this category.

It’s challenging to stay up with immigration news with the constant changes and modifications to the rules. It’s a time-consuming process that necessitates much focus. Choose Vison Overseas Group as your migration partner because they are always on their toes and take pride in performing all jobs with passion and devotion to help your visa procedure go more smoothly and quickly

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Tourist Visa

• Visitor visa (subclass 600)
• eVisitor visa (subclass 651)
• Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
• Transit visa (subclass 771)
• Medical Treatment visa (subclass 602)

Working Holiday Visa

• Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
• Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)

Employer Sponsored Work Visa

• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
• Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494)
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Visitor Visa

(subclass 600).

Home » Visitor visa (subclass 600)

The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) serves the purpose of enabling individuals to temporarily travel to Australia for tourism, business activities, or to visit family members. Typically, this visa is usually given with a validity of 12 months with a length of stay given as 3 month(s) from the date of each arrival, either as a multiple or single entry, however the length is given on a case by case basis depending on the strength of your visa application. You can apply for this visa online via ImmiAccount and can be either in or outside Australia when you apply.

The specific requirements for the Tourist stream (subclass 600) may include the following minimum criteria:

Tourist Stream

Designed for individuals journeying to Australia for vacation or to connect with family and friends.

As the visa applicant, you are required to:

• Demonstrate a sincere intention to visit Australia for holiday purposes, to reunite with family and/or friends, or for non-business/work and non-medical treatment reasons.
• Possess adequate financial means to sustain your expenses during your stay in Australia.
• Provide Biometrics and if required, undergo a health examination.
• Meet the relevant health and character criteria (this could include a requirement to obtain overseas visitor health cover (OVHC) insurance for the period of your stay in Australia).

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible, you must fulfill the following requirements:

• Depart Australia within 72 hours.
• Meet our health and character requirements.
• Have adequate health insurance.
• Where applicable, hold a Maritime Crew visa.
• Where applicable, the visa is in the best interests of an applicant under 18 years old.
• Sign the Australian Values statement.
• Where applicable, paid back your debt to the Australian Government.

Business Visitor Stream

For individuals journeying to Australia for brief business engagements, such as conferences, negotiations, or meetings.

• Authentically plan to visit Australia for a qualifying business activity, such as attending a conference, or seminar, participating in negotiations, or exploring business opportunities.
• Possess personal attributes and business background that align with the intended business activities in Australia.
• Ensure you have ample funds to meet your expenses during your stay in Australia.

Sponsored Family Stream

For individuals traveling to Australia with the purpose of visiting family, this visa category requires sponsorship from an eligible relative residing in Australia.

As the visa applicant, you are obligated to:

• Obtain sponsorship from a qualifying relative based in Australia (refer to the eligibility criteria below).
• Authentically intend to visit family members in Australia.
• Possess adequate financial resources to meet your expenses during your stay in Australia.
• Fulfill the specified health and character criteria, which may involve securing health insurance for the duration of your visit to Australia.

Sponsor Requirements

The individual facilitating your visit to australia must:.

• Hold Australian citizenship or permanent residency status.
• Be a minimum of 18 years old.
• Have established residence in Australia for a considerable duration, typically around 2 years.
• Be suitable to sponsor if you are a relative. To be a relative you must be either:  a spouse/de facto partner, parent or child, brother or sister, grandparent or grandchild, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew (including ‘step’ or adopted equivalents of the above relations).

PLEASE NOTE: In specific instances, an application for this visa MAY be sponsored by a Member of Parliament or an authorized representative of a government department or instrumentality, or a mayor from a local government.

Additionally, the sponsoring individual MUST NOT:

• Currently sponsor another visitor with a valid visa (unless the sponsored person is a family member, and both individuals share the same purpose for traveling to Australia).
• Have sponsored a visitor who violated visa conditions within the last 5 years.

Security bond

If necessary, your sponsor is obligated to submit a security bond, typically ranging from A$5000 to A$15,000. The bond will be reimbursed to your sponsor upon your adherence to visa conditions and departure from Australia before the visa expiration date.

Features of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600):

This visa grants the opportunity to travel to Australia for either visitation or business purposes, with durations spanning three, six, or 12 months. The application charge ranges from AUD190 (offshore) to AUD475 (onshore). Eligible passport holders may apply for a free or reduced-cost visa, such as the eVisitor (subclass 651) with no charge for specific country passport holders, or the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) with an AUD20 service charge for eligible passport holders.

You may be eligible for this visa if you are journeying to Australia for purposes such as tourism, business activities, visiting family, or participating in a tour organized by a registered travel agent from the People’s Republic of China. If you are currently in Australia and hold a valid visa without condition 8503, you can apply for the Tourist stream online. However, for those outside Australia, only specific passport holders can apply online, and if online application is not feasible, a paper application can be submitted.

If your country of passport is not listed  here  or  here , then you must apply for the visitor visa (subclass 600). 

This visa enables you to visit Australia for a holiday or to reconnect with family and friends. The entry conditions are specified as follows:

• You may be granted a single entry, requiring a new visa application for subsequent visits.
• Alternatively, you might have the flexibility to travel to and from Australia multiple times within the visa validity period. However, the cumulative duration of your stays in Australia must not exceed the granted period of stay.
• You may travel to any nearby country before re-entry into Australia to meet the exit and re-entry requirements on your visa.

Visa conditions

If you possess a visa with conditions 8503, 8534, or 8535 and find yourself unable to leave Australia as initially intended, you have the option to request a waiver for these conditions if your visa is set to expire within less than four weeks.

For those with a visa containing condition 8531 who are unable to depart Australia as initially planned, it is advisable to apply for a new visa before the current one expires. This may make you eligible for a bridging visa, maintaining your lawful status in Australia until a decision is reached on your visa application.

If you are holding a visa with condition 8558 and are unable to leave Australia as originally intended, it is recommended to apply for a new visa before the current one expires. By doing so, you may qualify for a bridging visa, allowing you to stay lawfully in Australia until a decision is made on your visa application.

You may be requested to provide evidence of health insurance at the time of entry to Australia, or when applying for another visa.

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From aud $190, 3, 6, 12 or 18 months, processing time, 90% of applications, processed in 25 days, our legal fee, from aud $440.

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600 Onshore Tourist Visa

Introduction

Domestic travel means applying for this type of visa in Australia. When the visa is approved, the applicant should be in Australia.

Application Fees

This visa application fee refers only to the Australian Government fees that must be paid when applying for a visa and does not include service fees that may be incurred when applying for a visa.

• Content Fees (AUD)
• Base Application Charge 475.00
• Subsequent Temporary Application Charge 700.00

Application conditions

1 . intend to travel to Australia only;

2 . Have sufficient funds to stay in Australia;

3 . You must be in Australia while you apply and when we decide your application.

Application Materials

Material sharing instructions.

• 1 . In the initial mode, click on the material to view the corresponding material example.
• 2 . Click "Select Materials to Share" to enter the material sharing mode. At this time, you can click on your existing materials to check them (click again to uncheck). After checking, click "Share Material Link" to share the link with your specialist so that the specialist can understand the status of your visa material preparation.
• 3 . If you want to view material samples, click "Cancel material sharing" to return to the initial mode.
• 结婚证/离婚证复印件 lg ...
• 资产证明：工资单/存折/纳税记录/信用卡限额 lg ...
• 资产证明：车本/房本/营业执照 lg ...
• 户口本复印件 lg ...
• 在澳大利亚的亲戚/朋友的邀请信 lg ...
• 在澳大利亚的计划（旅游/行程） lg ...
• 在职证明 lg ...
• 行程单（机票） lg ...
• 护照首页复印件 lg ...
• 身份证正反面的扫描或者照片 lg ...

application process

Step 1 fill out the online application form.

Applicants must carefully read and complete the Australian 600 tourist visa application form to ensure that all information is accurate and true

Step 2 Prepare and submit application materials

Applicants must complete the application form and all required materials and submit them to the designated department in accordance with the requirements of the Immigration Bureau. It should be noted that all materials must be in English or translated.

Step 3 Pay visa fees

According to the regulations of the Immigration Bureau, applicants are required to pay the corresponding application fee. Please make sure to complete the payment as required and keep the payment receipt for subsequent inquiries or application needs.

Step 4 Moderated

After submitting the application, the immigration office will review the applicant's materials. If additional materials are required, the immigration office will contact the applicant.

Step 5 Obtaining a visa

When the visa application is approved, the visa holder will receive an electronic visa approval letter. At this point, the visa has been approved

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Visitor Visa: A Guide To Visitor Visa Subclass 600 For Australia [Update March 2023]

Nilesh Nandan · October 23, 2023 · 38 Comments

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What Is A Subclass 600 Visitor Visa?

Subclass 600 is a visa that permits you to visit Australia as a tourist, to see family and friends or for business purposes on a temporary basis.

How Long Does A 600 Visitor Visa Last?

Grant periods are usually three, six or twelve months. 

How Long Does It Take To Process A 600 Visa?

Processing times vary depending on which stream you are applying for, ranging from 16 Days to up to 5 months.

How Much Does A Subclass 600 Visa Cost?

The application fee for a subclass 600 visitor visa ranges from AUD$145 to AUD$1065. This depends on the stream that you are applying for.

If you are a passport holder of the following countries, you are eligible to apply for the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)  online  with a charge of AUD$20:

• Brunei – Darussalam
• Hong Kong (SAR PRC)
• Korea, Rep of (South)
• United States

If you are a citizen of the countries below and you hold a valid passport, you may be eligible to apply for an eVisitor visa (subclass 651) through your  Immi Account  for free:

Which stream should I apply to?

There are 5 different streams for visitor visas:

Tourist stream

For the tourist stream, you can apply inside or outside Australia. However, if you are in Australia and you would like to lodge a visitor visa application, you must not have the dreaded ”  8503 No Further Stay  ” condition attached to your visa grant. Recently processing time is 3 months give or take 1 month. 

Sponsored family stream

If you have a relative who is at least 18 years old and he or she is an Australian permanent resident or citizen, then you might be able to apply for a visitor visa under the sponsored family stream. Normal processing time for a family-sponsored visitor visa is 4 months plus or take 1 month.

Business visitor stream

This stream will suit you if you are currently outside Australia, and you plan to visit Australia for business purposes for a short time for business meetings but not actually to “work” in Australia. The normal processing time for this stream is typically shorter than the others. You will be required to provide evidence of your trip, this may include but is not limited to:

• an invitation from a host organisation
• conference registration details
• a letter from your employer stating why you are visiting
• your plans for your stay and details of your Australian business contacts
• proof of your current employment and professional qualifications
• evidence your company is an active business, such as an annual report
• evidence of prior contact with Australian businesses

You can apply to fast-track your application under this stream if you are a citizen of China (Mainland), United Arab Emirates or India with an extra cost of AUD$1000. The fast track cannot be applied for online, you can check the  Immigration partner institution  for this service.

Approved destination status stream

This stream is for people who plan to travel as part of a group for a temporary short period of stay in Australia. Your travel agent can apply for this on your behalf. Please contact your local overseas-based travel agent for further assistance.

If you are a travel agent who is looking for assistance in applying for this visa stream for your client, and you need the help of an immigration lawyer, you can book a consultation with me to discuss this further.

Frequent traveller stream

If you are a passport holder of China (Mainland) who travels often to Australia for business or personal reasons, you may consider the frequent traveller stream which can be granted for up to 10 years with a stay of up to 3 months for each time you enter.

Health and character concerns?

Do you have  health issues ? Or do you have a criminal record that you are worried that Immigration might refuse your visitor visa application? Talk to me today. Book a consultation , and together we can decide what you should do next.

How do I apply for a tourist visa to Australia?

Visitor visas can be applied for online through an online portal called the  Immi Account  without any assistance and in most cases, you do not need the assistance of a  migration lawyer   like me . 

You should understand that a visitor visa can be applied for in most cases outside of Australia (offshore) but also in limited cases when you are already inside Australia (onshore).

For a discussion about making an application for a visitor visa to enter Australia or for making a further visitor visa application or visitor visa extension whilst onshore, please  book a chat  with me to discuss your options.

How much money do you need in the bank?

To apply for a visitor visa, you need to satisfy the following requirements:

• Be a  genuine temporary entrant  
• Have adequate means of support
• Meet the Australia  Public Interest Criteria
• Meet special return criteria

There is no specific amount of money that is required when you apply for a visitor visa. The case officer may seek evidence including, but not limited to: 

• bank statements and/or passbooks showing a consistent history of saving
• letters from banks and/or other financial institutions concerning the financial position of the applicant or the applicant’s access to the funds of another person
• air tickets that have already been purchased
• available credit card funds. 

Please note, cash and traveller’s cheques are not considered acceptable evidence of funds. You’ll need to prove that you “own” such funds. That’s awkward!

If you are invited by a family or friend, and they will cover the expenses for your stay, generally the person offering the support should confirm their offer, in writing. 

You can  book a consultation with me to discuss how I can help you put a better visitor visa submission.

Your Experience?

Please share your comments with me.

I’d love to know more  about your experience with applying for this visa subclass!

Reader Interactions

August 20, 2023 at 10:59 pm

My mother got her visa for 1 year with (3 months max stay) without “no further stay” multiple entries. Her visa expires in late January 2024

Can i apply her visit visa again as onshore applicant ? Regards Omer

February 20, 2023 at 8:17 pm

Hi Nilesh, My mum has applied for 864 visa while on vsitor visa(multiple visi with max stay of 12months and must not arrive by feb2025) She arrived on 13march 2022 and planning to leave 5mar2023. She is now granted bridgingA which will come into effect after substantiative visa expires. does this mean she can leave australia and come back on her vistor visa? please advise

January 30, 2023 at 5:32 am

My sister and family of 4 have applied for tourist visa on 2nd Dec to Australia from Denmark and not much progress yet. They just attached the return flight tickets on 29th Jan. they plan to travel end of March 2023. Can we convert to sponsored family tourist visa as she is a blood relative. Also does her husband also qualify for sponsored family visa if travelling with her?

Regards Sunita

January 23, 2023 at 11:30 pm

please guide me in planning for partner visa.I want to apply for partner Visa 820, if I get visitor visa600 that does not have No further stay. Should I mention about temporary visa or satisfy the clause about returning back.

December 24, 2022 at 3:23 am

I got finalised status on my application on 10 November but still didn’t get my e paper.Can you please help me with that?

December 21, 2022 at 9:36 am

Hello, i have a question, my mother is in the country and she is currently on 600 visa with the following conditions 8558, 8101, 8201 – she has been about 11 months here, and i am looking at a way to extend this visa for another year or more, what are my current options, I am not on PR yet but have lodged the application in April 2022.

October 11, 2022 at 10:48 pm

Hi Nilesh Nandan! I have Swedish nationality and i want to stay in Australia legally, so which the best way can i stay and work there. I have my cousin who Australian citizen and he has jobb. I will buy a coffe for you ,,, Best regards Ahmad Alissa

September 28, 2022 at 5:46 am

Hello, My application for tourist visa subclass 600 was rejected. The reason was I failed to satisfy the decision maker that I will go back to my country. My question is: can I reapply for a tourist visa or not..? Can I apply for tourist visa again immediately with additional documents? Thank you

September 14, 2022 at 5:58 am

Hi, My parents are here in Australia on tourist visa subclass 600. I want to extend their visa. So what are the requirements for it and what are the processing Times for onshore subclass 600 visa. Thanks

September 12, 2022 at 4:08 pm

I have applied for my tourist ( subclass 600) on June 5th ,2022 and I’m still waiting till now . Just wanted to follow up regarding my Visa because I really wanna visit Australia during this festive season to see families and friends before I return back to continue with my studies here in Fiji. Can you just help me out on this , please ? Thank you 😌

September 13, 2022 at 7:44 am

Thank you very much for your question. Here are the first three (3) things that come to my mind in relation to your post. There may also be other important issues which arise from your particular circumstances and you should seek specific immigration law advice before taking any further steps. It could be that I misunderstood you.

1. To access the current processing times for a given visa type visit this site https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-visa-processing-times . Remember it keeps changing.

2. Check that you have uploaded necessary supporting material.

3. I wonder whether you have travelled previously to Australia on a visitor Visa. Make sure that your expectation level is appropriate and that you have clearly demonstrated that you will return after your period of stay in Australia.

Did you benefit from this response? Feel free to buy me a coffee if this was useful. It helps me answer more questions like yours! https://Buymeacoffee.Com/NileshNandan

Regards Nilesh Nandan BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus) Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory myvisa.com.au/about/ 1300558472

*In the interest of speed, my communications are transcribed and transmitted using voice-to-text software – please ignore any unintended typographical or interpretation errors. Please also see the standard Notes and Disclosures which apply to my communications. These are located at the footer of my work emails.

September 10, 2022 at 10:55 am

How are you. My mum would like to invite my grandma to visit to Australia. She will apply sponsor subclass 600.My grandma is 90 now, but she is still strong. Could my mom invite her? Does the visa subclass 600 limited the age?

September 7, 2022 at 12:47 pm

Hi, I have a question,

I got refused on my 408 visa as I haven’t uploaded my police check. (I am 100% sure I did but I can’t find the document in the application) i am not sure if I could win the aat. I was on bridging visa a and now I have 35 days to leave the country, or to get another visa. Will it be possible to apply for a onshore visitor/tourist visa?

I’ll prefer to be able to apply for the covid visa again but I’m not sure if that willl be possible?

Thanks, shazz

September 6, 2022 at 5:46 am

Hi we have applied for a visitor visa 600 for my son’s Filipino girlfriend. We did apply while we were on holiday in the Philippines and we also git the Biometric scan done in Manila. I’ve also attached a letter stating that my son’s girlfriend will be staying with us and she will also have travel insurance. I am just wondering about the wait time? Is it because she is from the Philippines that the application takes much longer??? Also when the visa is approved and maybe only 3 month’s at a time? Would she need to leave the country and come back to get another 3 month’s? Or can we apply for extension?

August 19, 2022 at 6:13 pm

Can we fast track the visit visa?

August 15, 2022 at 11:50 am

Hi, I have applied for my mother’s tourist visa – 600 from Fiji. Last updated on 08/07. All the documents uploaded, biometrics & medical completed as well in May/July. Immi account is still showing further assessment. How long does it take usually? Or is there anything I can do about it?

She has been to Australia few times in the past. However, during her last stay, she over stayed 1 day as I completely forgot to reapply. We hired the migration lawyer who applied for the visa (on-shore) and got approved for 3 months. She went back to Fiji and reapplied in June’22 and since then no update.

Please assist. I really appreciate your help.

August 12, 2022 at 9:07 pm

Hi Nilesh I submitted a visitor visa for my mum to visit. I put in the application on the 27th of June, had the biometrics and health checks done in her home country and I acknowledged that we had provided all the information sought after she went for both the biometrics and health checks. But all it says on the the application home page is further assessment and it still displays the “arrange biometrics collection”. It approaching the maximum processing time frame of 37 days and we not heard anything back from them. Is this normal, for them to take such a long time to process visitor visas. She was granted one pre covid once we submitted all the requested documents. I am not sure what we can do at this stage. She can’t travel alone and we had hoped that she will get the visa in time to travel with my sister who has gotten her visa and will be travelling down on the 26th. Any advise is appreciated.

July 27, 2022 at 9:35 pm

Hi Nilesh, I applied for visitor visa family sponsored stream subclass 600 in march 2020..after two years in june 2022 i recieved an emal and they asked me for further information via s56 request..i have submitted very next day..now one month has passed but i am still waiting..can u help me regarding this issue?

August 7, 2022 at 8:19 pm

Please contact me if you are still waiting for a response after a few days of having provided the additional material. Unfortunately it can be that your case has been handed to another person or added to another persons work queue And delays of several months are not uncommon.

I know this must be frustrating for you. Once you get it is not uncommon.

Did you benefit from this response? Feel free to buy me a coffee if this was useful. It helps me answer more questions like yours!

Nilesh Nandan BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus) Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory myvisa.com.au/about/ 1300558472

June 29, 2022 at 4:27 pm

Excellent language choices! Isn’t it satisfying to produce such excellent work? Very interesting ideas! Your capacity to think through these issues. I’m amazed with how you’re approaching your posts and the effort you put into obtaining this. Really, you went above and above with your suggestions. You’re fulfilling your duties and responsibilities effectively. Continue your wonderful work.

June 13, 2022 at 2:45 pm

Hi, thanks for the informative website. My husband has applied for a tourist visa on 9th April and its well over 37 days at this point. We are thinking of withdrawing our application and applying for a new fasttrack visa. However MHA is unclear about fast track processing time, and if it goes against the applicant or not? Would you have any advice on this?

June 12, 2022 at 11:00 am

Hi, my application for tourist visa subclass 600 was rejected. The reason was I failed to satisfy the decision maker that I will go back to my country. My question is: if I will not appeal will I still be able to apply for a visa in the future?

May 31, 2022 at 8:41 pm

Hi, I have a small concern. I applied for a tourist visa as a friend back in March 2022 from UAE. However, I had done biometrics and health examinations. The health examinations have been cleared, but there is still a flag indicating “arrange biometrics collection”, with the overall status as “Further assessment” When we contacted the Department of Home Affairs, they informed us that there has been a technical issue. But this issue has been going on for a few months. We are in two minds if we should reapply the application again. Is there something we can do re-submit the biometrics? They have now increased the global processing time for 90% of the applications to 20 months.

May 11, 2022 at 10:21 pm

If I applied for 600 onshore and ask for 2 days stay, would I be able to get 2 days visa instead of 3month?

May 5, 2022 at 4:18 pm

HI Nilesh Nandan,

You are doing a great job.

Can I ask one question? Can we apply for a Partner visa while the partner is in Australia on a Visit visa SC 600?

Does she get a bridging visa?

May 9, 2022 at 12:08 pm

1. yes. 2. yes.

I’m assuming that there is no condition on the Visa which suggests “No further stay”. If such a condition does attach to the Visitor Visa held in an application will need to be made for a waiver of that prohibition.

I can help with making submissions in respect of the waiver in certain circumstances.

Hope this helps. Please help me answer more questions like these by leaving an honest review here: https://g.page/r/CfBw8UcKreaaEAg/review

Nilesh Nandan BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus) Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory

April 26, 2022 at 12:03 am

I would like to know, Does DUI conviction (First Offence , NZD $800 fine only in New Zealand) prevent to obtain Visitor visa to Australia? with Nepalese Passport? & as I am Nepalese passport holder, am I eligible to apply (Fast-Track processing)? I opt your team to apply my visa Asap.

May 5, 2022 at 10:22 am

Certainly would be easier if you did not have any drink driving charge at all. I do not believe the charge is photo of particularly in circumstances where it was only a fine. I am more concerned about the fact that you are the holder of a Nepali passport and whether or not you will meet the requirements to be a genuine temporary entrant. This involves looking at the factors pulling you back to Nepal after your temporary stay on the one hand and potential motivation for you to stay in Australia and overstay your Visa on the other hand. Your employment and social ties could particularly impact this as well your immigration history not just with Australia but with other countries.

January 26, 2022 at 5:25 pm

What if my visa subclass states, must enter before 30/03/2022 and I am entering Australia on 15/03/2022, in this case what is the maximum time I can stay in Australia?

November 28, 2021 at 9:49 am

Is it true, that a tourist visa 600 stream- requested period of stay 3 months, does not require a medical check to be done, by the applicant?

November 9, 2021 at 8:14 pm

I managed to get a 600 visa, however, I requested the visa for a period of 12 months but I got it granted for 6 months only. Is there a way to appeal or should I just apply for a new visa when this expires?

October 31, 2021 at 9:25 pm

After a visa subclass 600 is approved, how much time do you have to travel to Australia/ what is the start date of the visa?

September 5, 2021 at 10:23 pm

My husband working in Australia and we applied 190 visa and waiting for the PR grant. He is planning to apply visitor VISA for us to travel from India. Are we eligible to apply this VISA as we yet to get the PR grant?

August 27, 2021 at 9:55 pm

Is there any approvals of visitors visa in Australia during this period for South Asia?

August 29, 2021 at 2:10 pm

If you’re asking whether or not immigration has ceased processing applications for visitor visas to enter Australia, I’m not aware of any cessation in processing.

The difficulty of course is in obtaining a travel exemption in respect of crossing Australian borders even if a visitor visa is held.

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May 25, 2021 at 7:00 am

Informative article so I thought I would share my experience with subclass 600 visa. I am a NZer who was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment in 2005. My application for a visitor visa has been sitting under further assessment for the past 3 months they have not asked for any further information nor have they notified if it has been sent to the character assessment (VACCU). I have had two previous such visas granted; the first one took 9 months for a decision to be made and was granted for 1 years. The 2nd was a 2year visa that took just 2 weeks to process after application. I am at a loss at the current delay as my circumstances are unchained e.g. no further convictions, same employer/residence for past 10 years

May 29, 2021 at 6:11 am

I don’t know why the delay this time.

The discretion applied by a decision maker is unique to that decision maker.

Reasonable minds may differ on each exercise of the discretion.

Additionally, guidelines and policies may change from time to time. This may require a different consideration or a different weighting to be given to the the nature and seriousness of the particular offending or the present likelihood of re-offending.

In short, unfortunately, just because you were granted previously, it does not necessarily follow that you’ll be granted again.

Does that help?

May 29, 2022 at 6:34 pm

Thanks for the insights.I also have a query, I applied for a Visitor visa (family visit) 600 ( paid AUD 145)a month back on 26th April 2022. Since, my brother is on a PR, I thought this would be the fastest visa to get. However, till date status on immi showing only application received. What could be the reasons, was it better to apply for Tourist visa instead & can I do anything further to expedite the visa processing. I was planning to travel in June 1st week. I am seriously not sure what went wrong.

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How Do I Apply For A Visitor Visa 600 Extension To Stay In Australia?

Every year, thousands of people visit Australia for different purposes like tourism, business, or visiting family or friends. If you are one of them and not a citizen of New Zealand, you must obtain your Visitor Visa 600 to be eligible to enter this country. The Visa 600 is a temporary visa, and holders have to leave Australia once it expires. Though the usual validity of this visa is 3 months, business visitors can have the maximum validity of 12 months, in which they need to leave Australia after every 3 months.

However, emergencies may arise when a visitor finds it impossible to leave the country because of sudden restrictions (as happened in the case of the still-going COVID-19 pandemic). The only option left is applying for a 600 visa extension in those situations. This blog discusses all the essential details one must know regarding this extension.

Latest News: Australia Is All Set To Reopen Its Borders

What Should You Know About Visitor Visa 600 Australia?

Before discussing the extension process, some basic facts are discussed regarding the Visitor Visa 600.

• Holders of this visa are generally allowed to stay in Australia for 3 months. However, people coming for business purposes can have a maximum period of 12 months.
• There are five streams under this visa – Tourist Stream (for visiting purpose only; both offshore and onshore application options available), Sponsored Family Stream (for visitors sponsored by a family member who is an Australian PR or citizen), Business Visitor Stream (for business people), Approved Destination Stream, and Frequent Traveller Stream (the last two are for Hong Kong passport-holders).
• Like other Australian visas, you have to meet the basic eligibility criteria and fill out the application form for your Visa 600.
• If you have previously held an Australian visa, you have to show that you have complied with all its conditions.
• Other important eligibility criteria include having the adequate financial capacity to cover all the costs during your stay in Australia, holding the required health and character certifications and a health insurance coverage, valid for 12 months.
• The Australian Subclass 600 Visa is different from the other visas in terms of one key benefit. While most other visas allow applicants to include their family members in the application, the 600 Visa does not. If you want to visit this beautiful country with your loved ones, they must lodge separate applications.

Also Read: Before Lodging Visitor Visa Australia – Check Eligibility, Financial requirement, Document Checklist

How to Apply For A Visitor Visa 600 Extension?

The stay extension you require in Australia on your 600 Visa may be for a period more than what is allowed. If such a situation arises, you must apply for a Visitor Visa 600 extension or extension for any other Australia visa. If you go for the second option, you can apply for visas like:

• Temporary Skill Shortage Visa Subclass 482
• Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186
• Student Visa Subclass 500

One thing to keep in mind is that your 600 Visa extension or another visa application will take several weeks or months to get processed. So, make sure you start planning early.

As a potential applicant, you must also remember that whether you will get your next visa will depend on your purpose for the extended stay and eligibility criteria.

You Might Like: Avoid These Rejection Reasons For Your Visitor Visa Subclass 600

Procedures for Obtaining a 600 Visa Extension

Complete the following steps to make your 600 Visa extension application.

1. Decide how long you will stay in Australia

As we have stated, international visitors can stay for up to 3 months in Australia with their visitor visa. So, first, you have to decide how long you will stay here because it will impact your visa options. If you want to stay for more than 12 months, you will be required to apply for a visa extension.

2. Check how much your current visitor visa is valid for

Once your period of stay in Australia is decided, you must now check how much time you are left with. Migration experts typically advise making the application quite early for the extension. Make sure you have at least 3 weeks in your hand.

3. Choose the most suitable visa option

This is one of the most important points to keep in mind, especially if you want to apply for a completely new visa type for the period of extension. Make sure you have made your choice based on your situation. Otherwise, you may have to regret it later.

If you do not have enough funds, it will not be a good idea to go for a visitor visa extension simply because, as per Australian Immigration laws, tourist visa holders cannot find any job for an Australian company.

On the other hand, if your partner or a parent is an Australian permanent resident or citizen, choosing a student visa or work visa will be the best option.

4. Decide on your visa according to your situation

You should make your visa extension choice according to your situation. You may qualify for multiple visa options. Compared to partner visas, work and holiday visas involve fewer restrictions.

If money is not an issue for you, you can apply for the Tourist Visa 600 extension because it will be the simplest and cheapest option.

5. Check if there is any ‘no further stay’ condition attached to your current visitor visa

This is another important check you must carry out before applying for a visa extension. From the term, you can easily understand that this condition will not let you stay in Australia any further after your visa expires. However, this condition is usually imposed on cases like:

• You coming from a country that the Australian Immigration considers as ineligible to allow a further stay.
• Record of not remaining compliant with conditions attached to any previous Australian visa.

If this condition is imposed on your visa and you want to waive it due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, you must provide a written request to the authority.

6. Gather all the necessary documents

Once you find no ‘no further stay’ condition on your Tourist Visa 600, you can now gather the necessary documents. Remember that you must submit the same documents you have provided at the time of the first application.

7. Go through a necessary medical examination

Once all the documents are gathered, you can take scanned copies of them to upload while making an online application. To make sure you have good health, you must undertake a medical check within 28 days of the application.

8. Wait for your visa outcome

As the entire procedure takes a significant period, you have to wait for some weeks to get your visa approved. If your current visa expires during this period, Australian Immigration will grant you a bridging visa.

Also Read: Visiting Australia: Know The Five Big Reasons

Cost of Visa Subclass 600 Extension in Australia

Before you start your Visitor Visa Australia extension, it is also important to understand the total cost. Currently, this fee is approximately $345, and remember that you have to pay this amount while applying for your Visa 600 application.

Get Professional Assistance From A Migration Agent Perth

The whole procedure will become smooth, and you can get the best visa outcome if you hire a registered immigration agent Perth . ISA Migrations have been providing top-notch services in this field for years. So, you may contact the representatives for any inquiry or professional assistance. They can assign you their best visa agent Perth and walk you through the process easily.

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