What is the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)?

The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is a temporary visa intended for individuals who want to visit Australia for various reasons, such as tourism, business activities, or visiting family members under sponsorship. This visa includes several streams, each offering different rights and conditions. The available streams are:

• Tourist (apply in Australia)
• Tourist (apply outside Australia)
• Sponsored Family
• Business Visitor
• Frequent Traveller
• Approved Destination Status

The duration of stay under this visa can range from three, six, to twelve months, depending on the specific visa stream and conditions. It’s important to note that for the Tourist stream (apply in Australia), you must be physically present in Australia when you submit your application. For other streams, you must apply from outside Australia and remain there until a decision is made on your application.

Each stream under the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) comes with distinct rights and privileges. For instance, the Business Visitor and Frequent Traveller streams allow you to engage in certain business activities while in Australia.

If you’re an international student, you can initially enter Australia on a visitor visa and later switch to a student visa. Additionally, if your student visa is expiring and does not have a ‘No Further Stay’ condition, you may extend your stay in Australia by applying for a relevant visitor visa stream. Some streams also allow you to undertake short courses in Australia, lasting up to three months. However, if you intend to study for longer than three months, you will need to apply for a different visa while in Australia.

It’s essential to understand that each stream within the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) has its own unique features and requirements. Therefore, it’s crucial to carefully assess your specific needs and objectives before selecting the appropriate stream for your visit to Australia.

Purpose of the Visitor Visa Subclass 600

The Visitor Visa Subclass 600 serves various purposes, enabling individuals to:

• Visit Australia for tourism, allowing them to explore the country and enjoy its attractions.
• Participate in certain business activities, such as attending conferences, meetings, or negotiations. The Business Visitor and Frequent Traveller streams are specifically designed for these purposes.
• Visit family members in Australia under the Sponsored Family stream, which is available to those with relatives who are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
• Travel to Australia as part of an organised tour group from specific countries, under the Approved Destination Status stream.
• Enter Australia on a visitor visa as an international student, and later apply for a student visa while in the country. This gives students time to acclimate to their new environment and make necessary arrangements before starting their studies.
• Extend their stay in Australia if their student visa is about to expire and does not have the ‘No Further Stay’ condition, by applying for a relevant visitor visa stream.
• Undertake short-term courses in Australia, up to three months in duration, under certain visitor visa streams, allowing for participation in educational or vocational programs.
• Visit Australia as part of a cruise, with the visa allowing them to disembark and explore the country during their cruise itinerary.

Stream Options for Visitor Visa Subclass 600

Tourist Stream (Apply in Australia): This stream allows you to visit Australia for purposes other than medical treatment or business. Whether you’re on holiday, part of a cruise, or visiting family and friends, the Tourist Stream offers the flexibility to travel abroad once or make multiple trips. The details of your travel rights—whether single or multiple entries—can be found in your visa grant letter or VEVO documentation.

Tourist Stream (Apply Outside Australia): Similar to the Tourist Stream applied for within Australia, this stream also provides the opportunity to visit Australia, but with some key differences. Your VEVO documents or visa grant letter will specify whether you’ve been granted single or multiple entry privileges. Additionally, if you meet specific criteria and are a parent, step-parent, stepmother, or stepfather of an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible to stay in Australia for more than 12 months.

Sponsored Family Stream: The Sponsored Family Stream under the Visitor Visa Subclass 600 allows for similar activities in Australia as other tourist visas, but with distinct conditions regarding the duration of stay, international travel rights, and specific requirements from the Department of Home Affairs. Generally, this stream is granted with a single-entry travel option and allows a stay of up to 12 months. To apply for this stream, a sponsor who is an eligible family member holding Australian citizenship or permanent resident status is required. For more details about the Sponsored Family Visitor Visa 600, feel free to consult with one of our professional migration agents.

Business Visitor Stream: If you need to make a short business-related trip to Australia, the Visitor Visa 600’s Business Visitor Stream might be suitable for you. This stream offers both single and multiple entry options, enabling you to engage in activities related to business, such as attending meetings or making general business inquiries. However, it’s important to note that this visa does not permit you to sell products or services or engage in any form of employment in Australia. The Frequent Traveller Stream shares some similarities but differs by having additional conditions and being available only to applicants with a Chinese passport applying from China.

Frequent Traveller Stream: This stream allows individuals to enjoy vacations, visit family and friends, or participate in business activities, similar to the Tourist Stream (apply outside Australia) and Business Visitor Stream. It grants a visa valid for up to 10 years, although each visit is limited to a stay of up to 3 months. Details of your visa’s duration and conditions can be found in your visa grant letter. For Chinese passport holders residing abroad, this visa can be applied for from China, and it permits multiple trips between China and Australia during the visa’s validity period.

Approved Destination Status Stream: This stream is available to Chinese citizens who wish to visit Australia as part of an organised group tour managed by a registered travel agent. Depending on the specifics of your group tour, the visa may offer single or multiple entry options. The Department of Home Affairs will determine your allowed stay duration based on the length of your group trip. This visa must be applied for from within China, and during your stay, you are permitted to participate in the activities included in your group tour.

Eligibility Criteria for Visitor Visa Subclass 600

Health Insurance and Health Requirements：

To obtain a Visitor Visa Subclass 600, you must meet the health requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs. This may involve undergoing a health examination, similar to the process when applying for a student visa. Our counsellors can assist you with this straightforward step.

Additionally, you are responsible for covering all your health-related expenses while in Australia. As such, it is essential to have adequate health insurance to cover any unexpected medical treatments you may need. These costs can be substantial, so we strongly recommend obtaining overseas health insurance for your Visitor Visa 600.

Character Requirement：

To fulfill the character requirement, you must demonstrate good character both before applying for the visa and during your stay in Australia. This involves passing the Australian character test, which is based on the criteria outlined in the Migration Act 1958. The Department of Home Affairs uses these criteria to assess whether a visa applicant meets the character standards.

Financial Requirements：

All streams of the Visitor Visa require you to have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Australia. Additionally, neither you nor any family members should owe any money to the Australian government.

Genuine Visitor Requirement：

You must intend to stay in Australia only temporarily and comply with the stay period and any other conditions associated with your visa.

No Extension Option：

The Visitor Visa Subclass 600 cannot be extended to allow a longer stay in Australia. If you wish to remain in the country beyond your visa’s expiration, you must apply for a different visa that better suits your circumstances.

No Family Members Included in Your Application：

You cannot include family members in your Visitor Visa Subclass 600 application. If you wish to bring your family to Australia, each member must apply for their own visa separately.

Single Entry, Multiple Entry, and Travel Restrictions：

If your visa includes a multiple entry option, you may travel abroad and return to Australia as long as the visa remains valid. If your visa does not permit international travel and you leave Australia, you will need to apply for a new visa to re-enter the country. For visas with a single entry option, you can return to Australia only once after leaving for your home country.

Application Process for Visa Subclass 600

The process for applying for the Subclass 600 Visitor Visa generally involves the following steps:

• Choose the Appropriate Stream Determine which stream of the Subclass 600 Visitor Visa best suits your purpose for visiting Australia.

• Gather Required Documents Collect all necessary documents to support your visa application. While the specific documents may vary depending on the stream you select, they typically include your passport, proof of financial means, travel itinerary, health insurance evidence, and any other relevant documents (such as an invitation letter, business papers, or a sponsorship letter).

• Complete the Application Form Accurately fill out the visa application form, ensuring that all required information is provided.

• Pay the Visa Application Fee Submit the required visa application fee along with your completed application.

• Additional Requirements Depending on your nationality and personal situation, you may need to undergo biometric data collection (e.g., fingerprints and facial recognition) and/or a health examination as part of the application process.

Visa Conditions and Duration

The conditions and duration of the Subclass 600 visa vary depending on the stream you apply for, such as the Tourist stream, Business Visitor stream, or Sponsored Family stream. Typically, this visa allows for a stay of up to three, six, or twelve months, depending on individual circumstances and the specific stream chosen. It’s important to remember that this visa usually does not permit the holder to work in Australia, and they must comply with Australian laws and visa conditions throughout their stay.

Visitor Visa Extension and Reapplication

If your Subclass 600 visa is nearing its expiration date, you may consider applying for an Australian Visitor Visa Extension. This extension can prolong your stay by three, six, or twelve months, based on your personal situation.

Please note that this extension is only available to those intending to remain in Australia for tourism purposes.

Requirements:

To apply for a visa extension, you will need to provide several documents, which may include:

• A valid passport with blank pages, extending at least three months beyond the e-visa expiration date.
• A completed application form.
• Proof of sufficient funds to support your stay in Australia.

The Subclass 600 Visitor Visa offers flexibility for individuals looking to visit Australia for various reasons, including tourism, business, and family visits. With different streams and adaptable stay durations, it provides numerous opportunities. However, it is crucial to meet all the requirements and adhere to the visa conditions for a successful visit.