Tourist Visa Australia | All you need to know before you apply for an Australian tourist Visa
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Australia is one of the highly developed nations in the world. This country also has rich wildlife, dazzling beaches, and numerous natural wonders. These technical and natural wonders have fascinated its visitors for ages. Therefore, this is a country that gives a bundle of unique experiences to its visitors. You can also experience those wonders first hand with a tourist visa. This guide will explain all you need to know before you apply for an Australian tourist visa.
What is a tourist visa in Australia?
You need to have a tourist visa in hand if you are hoping to visit Australia. You can use it for traveling or see your family and/or friends living in Australia. Any visitor other than New Zealand passport holders has to apply for this visa before entering the country. There are a variety of visas to choose from if you are planning to make a visit. So, your choice will depend on the reason for your visit and your passport type. The length of your stay plays a role here too. You can always contact us at immigration agent Sydney before planning your trip to Australia. We will help you to find out the right visa for you.
Categories /subclasses of tourist visa Australia
Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
This is a temporary visa that is valid for 12 months. Australia offers this visa to visitors from a number of countries around the world. You can visit Australia as many times as you want with this visa. However, you can only stay for three months at each visit. Electronic Travel Authority visa is free, except the $20 service cost for the online applications.
eVisitor (subclass 651)
This is also a free temporary visa that is valid for 12 months and this visa cannot be extended. You can visit Australia as many times as you want with this visa. You can only stay for three months in each visit. However, this visa is only for visitors from a number of European countries.
Visitor visa (subclass 600)
The Visitor visa subclass 600 is for the other countries. In other words, this visa is for those who are not eligible for the eVisitor or Electronic Travel Authority visa. There are 6 streams available under this visa subclass.
Tourist stream (apply in Australia)
This visa type is for your visits to Australia as a tourist. This could be to see family and friends or any other purposes but business or medical treatments.
Tourist stream (apply outside Australia)
This visa type lets you visit the country as a tourist. So, you can see family and friends, or to go on a cruise with this.
Sponsored family stream
This visa type lets people who come to Australia to visit their family members. However, their family members should sponsor them.
Business visitor stream
Visitors come to Australia for business reasons should have this visa in their hand.
Approved Destination Status stream
This visa type is for citizens from certain areas of China. They should be on tours with a travel agent. Moreover, there travel agent should get the approval of the government first.
Frequent traveler stream
This visa type is for citizens of the People’s Republic of China who travel often to Australia for business and many other personal reasons.
Requirements to fulfill before applying a tourist visa Australia
Below are the most common requirements of the Australian government. Keep in mind, that these requirements could change according to your unique situations. The visa types you are applying for could request extra requirements other than the ones below.
Health requirement
Australia has the best health standards in the world and tries its best to maintain these standards. So, you are to assess your health as a part of the visa application process. You can find more information about these health requirements through https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/health
Character requirement
You must fulfill the character requirements asked by the Australian government to get this visa. You can get more information about this from https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/character
Payback your debt
Check whether you or any family members (even the ones who wouldn’t apply for the visa) of yours owe money to the Australian government. If so, you or they should pay them fully or show that you will pay them fully with proof.
Have enough money
It’s vital to have enough funds to support your stay in Australia while you continue your visit. So, it is wise to discuss with a professional and measure the cost of living and your travel expenses while applying to the visa.
Be an honest applicant
You must understand that the visitor’s visa is a temporary visa. So, you must respect the laws of Australia and return home after your visit to Australia. You can contact us at Immigration agent Sydney to know more.
Health insurance requirements
You and any of your family members who you added to the application are to maintain health insurance. So it will cover any unforeseen medical treatment you might need within your visit.
Difference between eVisitor visa and visitor visa
The visitor visa (subclass 600) is designed to suit every traveler’s needs. However, the evisitor visa (subclass 651) is only for passport holders of certain countries. There are six different streams available under the subclass 600 with different stay periods. The subclass 651 is for visits of three months at a time within a year. The cost of each stream of subclass 600 differ but the subclass 651 visa is free. You have to be outside of Australia when you forward the application of the 651 subclasses. But the subclass 600 could be applied from outside or within Australia according to the visa subclass you are applying.
Cost and processing time of a tourist visa
Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
- Cost : Free
- Processing time : Processing time for this visa is varied. So, please refer to https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/ for more information.
eVisitor (subclass 651)
- Cost : Free
- Processing time : 90% of applications in 4 months
Visitor visa (subclass 600)
Tourist stream (apply in Australia)
- Cost : From AUD365
- Processing time :
- 75% of applications in 4 months
- 90% of applications in 5 months
Tourist stream (apply outside Australia)
- Cost : From AUD145
- Processing time :
- 75% of applications: 4 month
- 90% of applications: 5 months
Sponsored family stream
- Cost : AUD145. Your sponsor might have to pay a security bond.
- Processing time :
- 75% of applications: 3 months
- 90% of applications: 6 months
Business visitor stream
- Cost : AUD145
- Processing time :
- 75% of applications: 5 days
- 90% of applications: 11 days
Approved Destination Status stream
- Cost : AUD145
- Processing time : Processing time for this visa is varied. So, please refer to https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/ for more information.
Frequent traveler stream
- Cost : AUD1,065
- Processing time : Processing time for this visa is varied. So, please refer to https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/ for more information.
How long you can stay in Australia under a tourist visa?
Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
The visa valid for 12 months and you can stay up to 3 months after every visit. But you can’t extend this visa.
eVisitor (subclass 651)
The visa valid for 12 months and you can stay up to 3 months after every visit. But you can’t extend this visa.
Visitor visa (subclass 600)
Tourist stream (apply in Australia)
You can only stay for the exact period or dates specified on the visa grant letter. However, this visa is only valid for 12 months and you can’t extend it.
Tourist stream (apply outside Australia)
You can only stay for the exact period or dates specified on the visa grant letter. Usually, this visa is only valid for 12 months but the government might grant you a visa that lasts longer than 12 months if you have a family member in Australia. Please refer to https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/ for more information.
Sponsored family stream
The visa valid for 12 months and you can’t extend that time.
Business visitor stream
The visa valid for 12 months and you can stay up to 3 months after every visit. But you can’t extend this visa
Approved Destination Status stream
You can only stay for the exact period or dates specified on the visa grant letter. But you can’t extend the visa any longer.
Frequent traveler stream
The visa valid for 10 years and you can stay up to 3 months after every visit. But you can’t extend this visa
Work rights under a tourist visa
You are not given any specific rights to work in Australia as an employee with a tourist visa in your hand. However, you have permission to conduct certain business activities under specific visitor visas such as the business visitor stream of a visitor visa (subclass 600). Please refer to https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/ for more information or contact us at Immigration agent Sydney.
Social benefits under a tourist visa
With these tourist visas in Australia, you are given the ability to travel within the country. Moreover, you are protected under Australian law and treated as any civilian with citizenship. However, this might change for certain circumstances. You can contact us at Immigration agent Sydney for more information.
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