Visitor Visas
Are you interested in coming to Australia for tourism, to visit family or short business trip?
There a several different visas subclasses and streams that are currently available. However, it is essential to apply in advance before finalising your travel plans, because in most cases, it will not simply be a matter of obtaining the visitor visa it just as you board your flight or upon arrival into Australia.
How you choose your appropriate visitor visa type depends on your country of citizenship and your purpose or intention of your travel. Be mindful that you cannot include family members in your application. A separate application must be made for each member of your family. Applicants need to be outside of Australia at the time of application and decision.
Visitor Visa (FA600)
The most commonly chosen visitors stream as it caters to tourists, individuals embarking on a cruise, those wishing to visit family and friends in Australia.
This visa is also appropriate (subject to your circumstances), if you are already in Australia and you want to extend your stay for these purposes.
This stream allows you enter Australia for tourism, visit family and friends, or any purpose other than business or medical treatment.
To be eligible you would need a formal sponsorship, which is usually provided from an Australian citizen or permanent resident relative. Your relative may be required to provide payment of a security bond as an incentive that you abide by your visa conditions. This amount can range from $5000-$15000, and is refunded after you depart Australia.
You will not be able to extend your stay or apply for another visa in Australia.
This stream is suitable for conducting business-related activities. It allows you come into Australia for the purpose of attending a conference or trade fair, making inquiries related to general business or employment matters. This visa grants temporary stay only, and you are not permitted to engage in direct work or the sale of goods or services to the public in Australia while holding this visa.
Available only if you are a citizen of the People’s Republic of China and require frequent travel to Australia for business or personal purposes.
There is a higher visa application charge, but the visa is often granted for a travel period of 10 years and allowing you to stay for three months every time you arrive.
This stream is also specific to citizens of the People’s Republic of China who intend to travel to Australia as part of a tour organised by an approved travel agent. As such the travel agent should be responsible for obtaining the visa for this purpose.
The Visitor 600 subclass is generally granted for 3 months but can also be granted for 6-12 depending on the purpose of your stay.
The basic requirements, common to all streams, is that you demonstrate that your visit is for a temporary stay and do not have an intention to work. You will need to show you have access to sufficient funds for the duration of your stay and may also be required satisfy health and character requirements.
Want to know more? Enquire here
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA - UD601)
If you hold an eligible passport from:
Andorra
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Canada
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Malta
Monaco
Norway
Portugal
Republic of San Marino
Singapore
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan (excl official or diplomatic passports)
The Netherlands
United Kingdom—British Citizen
United Kingdom—British National (Overseas)
United States of America
Vatican City
You need to be either offshore or in immigration clearance (customs) at the time of application.
Unlike other visitor visas, this visa can be applied through an authorised travel agent, airline or reservation counter. Alternatively, you can also apply using your mobile device or tablet through the Australian ETA app which you can download for free via the Apple Store or Google Play store.
The visa is free but there is a service fee of $20 to use the Australian ETA app.
Ensure that should check if you have a valid passport, as the visa is linked to the passport number you hold when you apply. The ETA allows you to travel to Australia for up to 12 months (or the life of the passport, whichever the shorter period), and stay in Australia for 3 months per visit for holiday or business purposes.
Want to know more? Enquire here
eVisitor (UD651)
Andorra
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
The Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Republic of San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom – British Citizen
Vatican City
The eVisitor visa application is free and you can apply online on the Department of Home Affairs website.
You need to be outside of Australia at the time of application and decision, however processing times is generally almost immediate as there are streamlined processing arrangements as there are reciprocal short stay entry arrangements between Australia and these countries.
Like the ETA, the eVisitor visas allow you to travel to Australia for up to 12 months, and stay in Australia for 3 months per visit for holiday or business purposes.
If you find that three months was insufficient time to visit your family or complete your Australian sightseeing bucket list, although you cannot renew or extend the validity of your ETA or eVisitor, but you may consider continuing your holiday by applying for the Tourist (FA600) visa.
Want to know more? Enquire here
If you are a dual citizen, i.e. you are an Australian citizen and also holding a foreign passport, you should be showing your valid Australian passport to enter and leave Australia. Australian citizens do not need to (and cannot) apply for Australian visas.