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
- Canada
- Hong Kong (SAR PRC)
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- 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!
41 Responses
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.
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?
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.
thank you
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
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
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
Hi Nilesh,
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 😌
Hi Ratu
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.
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Regards Nilesh Nandan BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus) Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory myvisa.com.au/about/ 1300558472
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