Those visiting Australia to see family, attend conferences, or simply enjoy the splendor of the Land Down Under can use visitor visas, which allow them to stay longer than a few weeks. These are valid for 3, 6, or 12 months, depending on the visa stream you select, letting you see more of the country. This article will explain the different purposes of tourism visas and how to apply for them.
Understanding the Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)
This visa allows you to visit Australia for a year or less, depending on your chosen visa stream. You cannot work, but you can study for up to 3 months. Depending on your specific visa conditions, you may receive a multiple-entry visa that allows you to leave and return multiple times during your visa period.
Purpose and Benefits
This visa enables you to enjoy an extended vacation or business trip in Australia, with plenty of time to visit family and friends or simply explore all that the country has to offer. You can generally obtain a visa in less than one month, and it has a lower fee than other visa types. Unlike some visa types, there are no age restrictions for eligibility.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs criteria to receive a visa. This includes being valid passport holders, having sufficient funds to support themselves while in the country, proving that they intend to leave the country at the end of their visa, and meeting the medical and character requirements.
Visa Streams
There are three primary visitor visas. To ensure you are approved, you must decide which option best explains your purposes for entering the country.
Tourist Stream: These tourist visas are generally valid for three months, but in certain circumstances, they may be valid for up to a year. With this visa, you can attend a special event, visit family, and see Australia’s natural wonders. You may be able to re-enter the country multiple times.
Business Visitor Stream: This is a visitor visa tailored to business purposes, and it is usually valid for 3 months. With this visa, you can attend conferences, visit a subject property as an investor, or negotiate contracts. If you are visiting multiple countries during your trip, you can apply for multiple entries.
Sponsored Family Stream: Relatives of an Australian citizen or permanent resident can stay in the country for up to 12 months so as to meet with loved ones and explore the country. You must have a documented relationship with the person sponsoring you, such as by blood relation or marriage.
Eligibility Requirements for the Visitor Visa
To visit Australia on a visitor visa, you must be aware of the obligations and requirements, which include agreeing to respect all Australian laws and leave the country on or before the expiration date on your visa. Eligibility requirements include the following.
Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement
This is only a valid Australian visa for stays up to 12 months; it is not a permanent visa. As such, you must prove that you are a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE), meaning that you do not intend to stay longer than your visa date.
You will need to submit proof that you will return to your home country, such as a letter from an employer stating that you have been granted leave but will be returning, evidence of significant assets at home, or relatives that have remained in your home country.
Financial Requirements
The Australian government wants to ensure that all visitors can pay for themselves during their visit and will not request benefits from the government. You must show documentation proving you have access to sufficient funds for your stay.
While certain areas of Australia are more expensive than others, you will generally need at least AUD 6,000 to AUD 8,000 for a short stay. You can prove this through bank statements, credit advance limits, or pay stubs.
Health and Character Requirements
The Australian government wants to ensure that visitors do not pose a risk to Australian citizens and permanent residents, which includes meeting the character and health requirements.
Those who enter Australia on a tourist visa must undergo a medical exam to check for infectious diseases and significant health concerns. You should also have health insurance that covers your entire visit. If you are visiting Australia for medical treatment, you will need a medical visa instead.
You will also need to provide a police certificate which details any criminal history you may have. For further information on how to get an Australian police certificate, contact the applicable justice bureau in your area. You can find this on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Other Requirements
If you are eligible for the Sponsored Family Stream, you will need a letter from your sponsoring relative stating that they intend to assist you while you are in Australia.
Any document that is in a language other than English will need to be professionally translated, which may have an additional cost.
Should you request legal assistance with preparing your travel documents, you must submit a form appointing that person as your legal representative.
Applying for the Visitor Visa
You can apply for an Australian visitor visa online by signing up for an ImmiAccount. This allows you to upload all your documents, pay your visa fee, and receive up-to-date information on the status of your application. Have all your documents ready ahead of time.
Visa Application Process
To begin the visa application process, you will gather all your documents together and digitize them so that they can be uploaded. Then, you will sign up for an ImmiAccount through the Australian government website.
You will select the visitor visa from the form, including which visa stream you would like to apply for, and then upload the necessary documents when prompted. After that, you will pay for your visa online.
The Department of Home Affairs will inform you whether you need to complete a biometric appointment or upload a health certificate.
Required Documents
To receive a visitor visa, you will need to show the following documents:
- Valid passport
- National identification card
- Genuine Temporary Entrant details, such as proof of family or property back home
- A letter from your relative if they are sponsoring you
- Proof of financial capacity, like bank statements or credit limits
- Military service record of discharge papers, if relevant
Visa Application Fees
The current cost for an Australia visitor visa is AUD 195. There is an extra charge of AUD 295 if you apply while inside Australia. There may be additional costs for biometric appointments, medical exams, police clearances, and document preparation.
Processing Times
On average, 50% of visitor visas are processed within two weeks, and 90% are processed within a month. Business visas are generally approved faster than other visa types. If family members in Australia are sponsoring you, the application process may take longer. Ensure that you provide the correct information upfront, as any requests for additional information will cause delays.
Visitor Visa Conditions
To maintain a valid Australian visa, you must abide by all the conditions of your visa; otherwise, you may be asked to leave the country. Visitor visa conditions include the following.
Work Restrictions
You cannot work in Australia on a tourist visa. You cannot be paid for your services if you are a business visitor presenting at a conference or other event.
Study Restrictions
While you can study or train in Australia for up to 3 months on tourist visas, this cannot be the primary purpose of your visit. If you are intending to enroll in a full-time course, you should instead pursue a student visa.
Visa Duration and Extensions
When you are granted your visa, it will have an expiration date based on your intended purpose for visiting Australia; this may not be the maximum time permissible for the visa type. If you need to stay for longer, you will need to apply for a new visa, as a visitor visa cannot be extended.
Travel Conditions
You should maintain valid health insurance for the entire duration of your stay unless you are in a country that has reciprocal insurance conditions with Australia. Your visa will list whether you are able to re-enter the country multiple times. If you have a single-entry visa, you cannot leave and re-enter Australia.
Tips for a Successful Visitor Visa Application
To have the best experience when you visit Australia on a tourist visa, follow these tips.
Start Early
While a tourism visa has a relatively prompt processing time, you should apply well in advance in case there are unexpected delays. If circumstances allow, start your application at least 45 days ahead of time. Do not book any flights or travel arrangements until you have your visa grant letter.
Provide Comprehensive Evidence
Ensure that you provide correct and comprehensive information for all aspects of your application, which includes your financial capacity, the period of your intended stay, and proof that you will be a temporary visitor, such as evidence of employment or property ownership back home.
Prepare a Strong GTE Statement
Your GTE statement is to assure the government that you are only temporarily visiting Australia. The more proof you have that you will leave the country once your visa expires, the more likely you will be approved. Evidence such as owning a home, holding employment, and having relatives at home will enhance your chances of success.
Represent yourself honestly and be clear about your reasons for visiting Australia, whether that is a specific relative you are seeing or a conference you will attend. You may also show an itinerary of where you intend to visit in Australia, though you should not book anything until you have been granted a visa.