Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600, 651, 601)
Mike Arnold
Mike is a freelance writer with eight years of experience and a love for travel, all things business, tabletop games and green tea.
Oleksandra Dosii
Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.
Last update: September 13, 2024
Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025
Australia, home to iconic landmarks like the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney Opera House, beckons with adventure and natural wonders. And understandably so. It seems to have everything, with so much to see and do, it's a modern culture like nowhere else on Earth.
Every city has its own charm, history, and style, and whether you’re looking for golden sand beaches, surfing, nature, mountains, art, music, sport, and pretty much anything else you can imagine, Australia has something for you.
To discover it for yourself, whether for leisure, business, or family visits, the Australia Visitor Visa is your entry ticket. However, with flexible options covering various travel purposes and durations, you must follow the right visa path for your upcoming trip.
What are the types of Australia visitor visas?
Australia offers various visitor visas tailored to specific travel purposes and nationalities. It's important to understand the differences between these visas to ensure you select the most suitable one for your visit.
Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)
The Subclass 600 visa is the most versatile visitor visa, offering various streams to accommodate different travel purposes:
- Tourist stream: For individuals visiting Australia for tourism, leisure, or recreational activities.
- Business visitor stream: For those engaging in short-term business activities, such as attending conferences, meetings, or negotiations.
- Frequent traveller stream: For frequent travellers who intend to make multiple visits to Australia within a 12-month period.
- Sponsored family stream: For individuals sponsored by an Australian citizen or permanent resident to visit family in Australia
- Approved destination status stream: For citizens of specific countries participating in approved tourism programs.
The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) allows stays of up to 3, 6, or 12 months, depending on your individual circumstances and the purpose of your visit.
eVisitor (Subclass 651)
The Subclass 651 is an electronic visa available to citizens of eligible countries, allowing multiple entries to Australia within a 12-month period for stays of up to three months each time.
This is a visa mainly designed for visiting family and friends, enjoying a cruise or holiday, undertaking some business visitor activities, or training and studying for durations of up to three months.
It's a convenient and free option for frequent travellers visiting for tourism or business purposes.
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (Subclass 601)
Similar to the eVisitor, the ETA is an electronic visa available to citizens of specific countries, granting multiple entries to Australia within a 12-month period for stays of up to three months each time.
This visa is mainly for visiting family and friends, undergoing a cruise or holiday in the country, or even partaking in some kind of business visitor activities.
Note: A business visitor for:
What can a business visitor do?
- Make general inquiries about business or employment opportunities.
- Research, negotiate, sign, or review business contracts.
- Participate in activities related to an official government visit.
- Attend conferences, trade fairs, or seminars, but you can't be paid to participate.
What can't a business visitor do?
- Work for or provide services to a person, business, or organisation.
- Sell goods or services directly to the public.
It's also a convenient option for tourism or business visits, but it comes with a service fee of A$20.
How to choose the right visa
Within these subclasses of visas, there are plenty of streams to explore to help you get a streamlined experience when visiting Australia.
Take your time to explore the best visa option for you, depending on your nationality, the purpose of your visit, and your intended length of stay.
If you're unsure which visa to apply for, the Australian Department of Home Affairs website provides a helpful Visa Finder tool to guide you through the options or consult a visa consultant.
What are the eligibility criteria for the Visitor visa?
To be eligible for an Australia Visitor Visa, you must meet certain general requirements, regardless of the specific visa subclass or stream you are applying for:
- Genuine visitor: You must demonstrate that you are genuinely travelling to Australia for a temporary purpose, such as tourism, recreation, visiting family and friends, or conducting short-term business activities.
- Health insurance: You must have adequate health insurance coverage for your stay in Australia. This is important because you won't be covered by Australia's national health scheme (Medicare) unless your country has a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia.
- Character requirements: You must declare any criminal convictions and ensure no outstanding debts are outstanding to the Australian government. This demonstrates your good character and compliance with Australian laws.
- Location at time of application and decision: Depending on the specific visa subclass, you may need to be either inside or outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided. Check the requirements for your chosen visa to confirm your location eligibility.
Specific requirements for each visa
In addition to the general requirements, each visitor visa subclass and stream has its own specific eligibility criteria. Some common factors that may be considered include:
- Nationality: Your country of citizenship will determine which visitor visas you are eligible to apply for.
- Purpose of visit: The purpose of your trip, whether it's tourism, business, or family visit, will influence the appropriate visa stream.
- Intended length of stay: The duration of your planned stay in Australia will also play a role in determining the suitable visa subclass.
- Financial capacity: You may need to provide evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Australia.
- Health requirements: Depending on your circumstances and the length of your stay, you may need to meet specific health requirements, such as undergoing a medical examination or providing proof of vaccination.
For specific requirements, it's important to check the individual pages for each visa type to ensure you meet the regulations. You can find the visa pages here:
How to apply for an Australia Visitor visa
Applying for an Australia Visitor Visa involves a straightforward process, but it's important to follow the steps carefully to ensure a smooth and successful application.
Step #1 - Determine your eligibility and choose the right visa
The first step is determining what type of visitor visa is suitable for your circumstances.
- Nationality: Your country of citizenship will play a significant role in determining which visa options are available to you. Check the Australian Department of Home Affairs website to see if you're eligible for the eVisitor or ETA visa, as these are the most convenient options for eligible passport holders.
- Purpose of visit: Consider the primary purpose of your trip to Australia. Are you visiting for tourism, business, or to see family and friends? This will help you choose the appropriate visa stream within the Subclass 600 visa or opt for the eVisitor or ETA if eligible.
- Intended length of stay: The duration of your planned stay in Australia will influence your visa choice. If you intend to stay for over three months, you'll likely need to apply for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600).
Step #2 - Gather required documents
Once you've identified the correct visa, gather all the necessary supporting documents. While the specific requirements can vary depending on the visa subclass and stream, some common documents include:
- Completed visa application form
- Valid passport
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay in Australia
- Evidence of ties to your home country to demonstrate your intention to return after your visit
- Travel itinerary outlining your planned activities in Australia
- Health insurance details
Step #3 - Apply online
Most visitor visa applications are submitted online through the Department of Home Affairs' ImmiAccount system.
- Create an ImmiAccount: If you don't already have one, create an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website.
- Complete the application form: Fill out the online application form, providing accurate and complete information about yourself, your travel plans, and your supporting documents.
- Upload documents: Upload scanned copies of all the required supporting documents.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable): Pay the visa application fee online. The fee varies depending on the visa subclass and stream. The eVisitor is free, while the ETA has a service fee of A$20.
Step #4 - Await processing and decision
- Processing times: The processing time for your visa application can vary depending on several factors, including the visa subclass, your country of residence, and the volume of applications being processed. You can use the visa processing time guide tool on the Department of Home Affairs website to get an estimate.
- Decision notification: Once a decision is made, you'll be notified via email or through your ImmiAccount.
- Visa grant: If your application is approved, you'll receive your visa electronically or, in some cases, a visa label will be placed in your passport.
By following these steps and providing all the required documentation, you can increase your chances of a successful visa application and enjoy a memorable trip to Australia.
What are the application costs for the Australia Visitor visa?
Applying for an Australia Visitor Visa involves specific fees that you'll need to consider.
Visa application fees
The cost of your visa will depend on the specific subclass and stream you are applying for:
- Visitor Visa (Subclass 600): The base application charge for a Visitor visa starts from A$145 (approximately £75/€90). However, the exact fee can vary depending on your circumstances, such as the length of your intended stay and whether you're applying from within or outside Australia.
- eVisitor (Subclass 651): This visa is free of charge, making it a cost-effective option for eligible passport holders.
- Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (Subclass 601): While the ETA itself is free, there is a service charge of A$20 (approximately £10/€12) for online applications.
Additional costs
Beyond the visa application fee, you may also incur other expenses during the application process:
- Health examinations: Depending on your circumstances and the length of your intended stay, you may be required to undergo health examinations by a panel physician approved by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. The cost of these examinations will vary depending on the specific tests required.
- Police clearance certificates: You may need to provide police clearance certificates from countries where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past ten years. The cost of obtaining these certificates will depend on the country and the specific requirements.
- Other costs: You may also incur additional costs for document translations, certified copies, or professional assistance with your visa application.
Remember to factor in these potential additional costs when budgeting for your Australia Visitor Visa application.
Important note: Visa application fees and other associated costs are subject to change. Always consult the official Australian Department of Home Affairs website for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
How long does an Australian visitor visa application take to process?
The average time for a Visitor Visa application to be processed is between 48 hours and 20 days, depending on the visa itself and subclass, as well as how complete and accurate the application is.
Other important factors to consider include:
- Visa subclass and stream: Different visa subclasses and streams have different processing times. For example, the eVisitor and ETA visas are typically processed much faster than the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600).
- Complexity of application: The complexity of your application, including the number of supporting documents and any particular circumstances, can influence processing time.
- Volume of applications: During peak seasons or periods of high application volume, processing times may be longer.
- Completeness of application: Providing a complete and accurate application with all required documents can help expedite the processing.
Estimated processing times
- eVisitor (Subclass 651) and ETA (Subclass 601): These visas are usually processed within a few days, often less than 24 hours for the ETA.
- Visitor Visa (Subclass 600): The processing time for this visa can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on the stream and individual circumstances. The Department of Home Affairs provides a visa processing time guide tool on its website to give you an estimate based on recent applications.
Factors affecting processing time
Several factors can influence the processing time of your visa application:
- Time for external checks: The Department of Home Affairs may need to conduct health, character, and security checks, which can add to the processing time.
- Need for additional information: If the Department requires further information or documentation from you, it can delay the processing.
- Peak periods: During peak travel seasons or periods of high application volume, processing times may be longer.
Tips for faster processing
- Submit a complete application: Ensure your application is complete and includes all required supporting documents.
- Respond promptly to requests: If the Department requests additional information, respond promptly and provide the necessary details.
- Apply early: It's always advisable to apply for your visa well in advance of your intended travel date to allow for sufficient processing time.
Australia's Home Affairs office has designed the Visitor Visa process to be as simple and as concise as possible.
However, if you're left trying to figure out which visa is for you, or you want to ensure the process is completed successfully the first time, it can help to use the guidance of a professional visa consultant.
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