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Visitor Visas

Visit Australia — for tourism, family, or business.

Nilesh Nandan

Immigration Lawyer · BBus(Accy) LLB MBA · Last updated March 2026

Overview

The Visitor visa (subclass 600) allows you to visit Australia for tourism, to visit family, or for business visitor activities. While visitor visas may seem straightforward, refusal rates can be surprisingly high — particularly for applicants from certain countries or those with complex travel histories. I help ensure your application is prepared to the highest standard.

The subclass 600 visitor visa has several streams: Tourist stream (for holidays and visiting family), Business Visitor stream (for business meetings and conferences), Sponsored Family stream (for visiting family members who sponsor your application), and Approved Destination Status stream (for Chinese tour groups). Each stream has different requirements and evidence expectations.

Common reasons for visitor visa refusal include: failure to demonstrate genuine temporary entrant (GTE) intention, insufficient financial evidence, weak ties to your home country, previous visa breaches or overstays, and incomplete applications. I help you build a strong application that addresses all of these potential issues.

If your visitor visa has been refused, you may be able to apply for merits review at the ART (for onshore applications) or lodge a fresh application addressing the grounds for refusal. I advise on the best approach based on your specific circumstances.

Key Facts

Visa Subclass600 (Visitor)

Stay Period3, 6, or 12 months depending on stream

Work RightsNo — visitors cannot work in Australia

Application FeeFrom $190 (as at March 2026 — verify on DHA website)

Key RequirementGenuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) intention

How I Work — Step by Step

Eligibility Assessment

I assess which visitor visa stream is appropriate for your circumstances and identify any potential issues.

Document Preparation

I help you gather and prepare all required documents, including financial evidence and proof of ties to your home country.

GTE Statement

I prepare a compelling Genuine Temporary Entrant statement that addresses the Department's key concerns.

Application Lodgement

I lodge your application with all supporting evidence, ensuring nothing is missing or incomplete.

Follow-Up

I manage any requests for additional information from the Department and keep you informed throughout the process.

What I Do

Assess your eligibility for the appropriate visitor visa stream
Prepare a strong application demonstrating genuine temporary entrant intention
Advise on the financial evidence and ties to your home country required
Handle complex cases involving previous refusals, overstays, or character concerns
Appeal visitor visa refusals at the ART
Advise on visitor visa extensions and changes of status while in Australia

Who Is This For?

›People wishing to visit Australia for tourism or to visit family
›Business visitors attending meetings, conferences, or negotiations
›Family members being sponsored to visit relatives in Australia
›Applicants whose visitor visa has been refused
›Visitors wishing to extend their stay or change visa status

Recent Case Outcome

I recently assisted a client whose application for a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) was refused because the Department was not satisfied they met the 'genuine temporary entrant' requirement. We lodged an appeal with the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) and prepared detailed submissions, supported by extensive evidence of the client's strong employment, family, and financial ties to their home country. The ART found that my client's intention was to visit Australia for a short holiday and that they had every reason to return home, leading to the ART overturning the original decision and the visa being granted.

* Details anonymized to protect client confidentiality.

Common questions about

Why was my visitor visa refused?+

Common reasons include failure to demonstrate genuine temporary entrant intention (the Department was not satisfied you would leave Australia before your visa expires), insufficient financial evidence, weak ties to your home country, previous visa breaches, and incomplete applications. I can review your refusal and advise on the best next step.

Can I extend my visitor visa while in Australia?+

In some cases, yes. You may be able to apply for a further visitor visa while in Australia, but this depends on the conditions of your current visa and your circumstances. Some visitor visas have a 'no further stay' condition (condition 8503) that prevents further applications.

Can I work on a visitor visa?+

No. Visitor visas do not include work rights. Working on a visitor visa is a breach of visa conditions and can result in visa cancellation and a re-entry ban. If you wish to work in Australia, you need to apply for an appropriate work visa.

My Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) has a 'No Further Stay' condition (8503). Can I apply for another visa in Australia?+

I often receive queries about the 'No Further Stay' condition, specifically condition 8503, which can be imposed on a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600). This condition prevents you from applying for most other visas while you are in Australia. However, it's not an absolute bar. Under Regulation 2.05(4) of the Migration Regulations 1994, you can apply for a waiver of this condition if 'compelling and compassionate' circumstances have developed since your visa was granted. These must be circumstances that were beyond your control. For example, a serious medical emergency or significant changes in your home country that prevent you from returning. The threshold for a waiver is high, and a simple change of mind about wanting to stay longer is not sufficient. I can help you assess if your situation meets the criteria and prepare a strong submission to the Department of Home Affairs for a waiver.

How much money do I need to show for an Australian Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)?+

A common reason for visitor visa refusals is the failure to demonstrate sufficient funds. While there is no specific amount of money you must have, under Public Interest Criterion (PIC) 4011 of the Migration Regulations 1994, you must satisfy the decision-maker that you have adequate means to support yourself during your stay in Australia. As a general guide, I advise my clients to have access to at least AUD $1,000 to $1,500 per month of their intended stay, in addition to the cost of their return airfare. It's crucial to provide verifiable evidence, such as bank statements for the last 3-6 months showing a consistent savings history, payslips, and a letter from your employer confirming your leave and intention to return to work. If a relative or friend in Australia is sponsoring your visit, they must provide a statutory declaration and evidence of their own financial capacity to support you. I can guide you on preparing the right financial evidence to present a strong application.

Your Visa Was Refused — What Now?

I wrote a free guide covering the 5 most common refusal reasons, your appeal options, and the deadlines you cannot miss. It is the same advice I give clients in their first meeting.

Nilesh Nandan

Immigration Lawyer · 27 years

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The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Thoughts only — not legal advice.