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.
Grant periods are usually three, six or twelve months.
Processing times vary depending on which stream you are applying for, ranging from 16 Days to up to 5 months.
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:
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:
There are 5 different streams for visitor visas:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To apply for a visitor visa, you need to satisfy the following requirements:
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:
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.
Please share your comments with me.
I’d love to know more about your experience with applying for this visa subclass!
View Comments
Hi Nilesh,
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?
Is there any approvals of visitors visa in Australia during this period for South Asia?
Bijay
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.
Help me answer more questions like this: https://www.facebook.com/myvisa/reviews
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
I don't know why the delay this time.
The discretion applied by a decision maker is unique to that decision maker.
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?
Hi Nilesh,
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.