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Visitor Visa: A Guide To Visitor Visa Subclass 600 For Australia [Update 2022]

Nilesh Nandan · May 4, 2021

Home » Immigration Guides » Visitor Visa: A Guide To Visitor Visa Subclass 600 For Australia [Update 2022]

On This Page...

  • What is a subclass 600 visitor visa?
  • How long do visitor visas last?
  • How much is a subclass 600 visa?
  • Which stream should I apply?
  • Health and character concerns?
  • How do I apply for a tourist visa to Australia?
  • How much bank balance is required for an Australian tourist visa?
  • COVID-19 & Visitor Visa
  • Your Experience?

What is a subclass 600 visitor visa?

A visa which lets you visit Australia as a tourist, to see family and friends or for business purposes on a temporary basis.

How long do visitor visas last?

Grant periods are usually three, six or twelve months. 

How much is a subclass 600 visa?

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:

Countires that are eligible to apply for an eVisitor visa subclass 651 Nilesh Nandan Immigration Lawyer

Which stream should I apply?

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 month 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 sponsored family stream. Normal processing time for a family-sponsored visitor visa is 4-month plus or take 1 month.

Business visitor stream

This stream will suit you if you are currently outside Australia, and you have a plan to visit Australia for business purposes for a short period of 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 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 Emirate or India with an extra cost of AUD$1000. Fast track cannot be applied 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 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 stay up to 3 months for each time you enter.

Health and character concerns?

Do you have health issues? Or you have a criminal record that you are worried the Immigration might refuse your visitor visa application? Talk to me today. Book in a consultation, together we can decide what you should do next.

How do I apply for a tourist visa to Australia?

Visitor visas are able to 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 in a chat with me to discuss your options.

How much bank balance is required for an Australian tourist visa?

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 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 travellers 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 in a consultation with me to discuss how I can help you put a better visitor visa submission.

COVID-19 & Visitor Visa

The processing time for visitor visas has been delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic. 

If you are overseas and you are granted a visitor visa, the next step is to apply for travel exemption for Australia. To find out whether you may be eligible for travel exemption, you can read my blog and get an instant answer here. 

Book in a chat with me to discuss how I can help you with your travel exemption needs.

Your Experience?

Please share your comments with me.

I’d love to know more about your experience with applying for this visa subclass!

Immigration Guides

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Raza says

    May 5, 2022 at 4:18 pm

    HI Nilesh Nandan,

    You are doing a great job.

    Can I ask one question?
    Can we apply for a Partner visa while the partner is in Australia on a Visit visa SC 600?

    Does she get a bridging visa?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Nilesh Nandan says

      May 9, 2022 at 12:08 pm

      1. yes.
      2. yes.

      I’m assuming that there is no condition on the Visa which suggests “No further stay”. If such a condition does attach to the Visitor Visa held in an application will need to be made for a waiver of that prohibition.

      I can help with making submissions in respect of the waiver in certain circumstances.

      Hope this helps. Please help me answer more questions like these by leaving an honest review here: https://g.page/r/CfBw8UcKreaaEAg/review

      *In the interest of speed, my communications are transcribed and transmitted using voice-to-text software – please ignore any unintended typographical or interpretation errors. Please also see the standard Notes and Disclosures which apply to my communications. These are located at the footer of my work emails.

      ​Regards​

      Nilesh Nandan
      BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
      Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
      MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory

      Reply
  2. Hunter Chaudhary says

    April 26, 2022 at 12:03 am

    I would like to know, Does DUI conviction (First Offence , NZD $800 fine only in New Zealand) prevent to obtain Visitor visa to Australia? with Nepalese Passport? & as I am Nepalese passport holder, am I eligible to apply (Fast-Track processing)? I opt your team to apply my visa Asap.

    Reply
    • Nilesh Nandan says

      May 5, 2022 at 10:22 am

      Certainly would be easier if you did not have any drink driving charge at all. I do not believe the charge is photo of particularly in circumstances where it was only a fine. I am more concerned about the fact that you are the holder of a Nepali passport and whether or not you will meet the requirements to be a genuine temporary entrant. This involves looking at the factors pulling you back to Nepal after your temporary stay on the one hand and potential motivation for you to stay in Australia and overstay your Visa on the other hand. Your employment and social ties could particularly impact this as well your immigration history not just with Australia but with other countries.

      *In the interest of speed, my communications are transcribed and transmitted using voice-to-text software – please ignore any unintended typographical or interpretation errors. Please also see the standard Notes and Disclosures which apply to my communications. These are located at the footer of my work emails.

      ​Regards​

      Nilesh Nandan
      BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
      Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
      MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory

      Hope this helps. Please help me answer more questions like these by leaving an honest review here: https://g.page/r/CfBw8UcKreaaEAg/review

      Reply
  3. Bijay Ghimire says

    August 27, 2021 at 9:55 pm

    Is there any approvals of visitors visa in Australia during this period for South Asia?

    Reply
    • Nilesh Nandan says

      August 29, 2021 at 2:10 pm

      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

      Reply
  4. robyn moses says

    May 25, 2021 at 7:00 am

    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

    Reply
    • Nilesh Nandan says

      May 29, 2021 at 6:11 am

      I don’t know why the delay this time.

      The discretion applied by a decision maker is unique to that decision maker.

      Reasonable minds may differ on each exercise of the discretion.

      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?

      Reply

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Nilesh Nandan has previously been nominated to work alongside other leading experts to provide strategic advice to the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs including potential reforms to the legislative framework governing the industry. Views expressed on this web site are his own and do not reflect the views of the Migration Advisory Group.