Looking to holiday or visit an Australian family member?
Read our general information and document checklists in relation to Australia’s Tourist visas below. Contact us directly for specific advice.
- Overview
- Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601)
- eVisitor (Subclass 651)
- Visitor (Subclass 600)
- The genuine temporary stay requirement
Visitor Visas
All travellers to Australia need a visa to enter. Australia’s Visitor visa program allows foreign nationals to enter the country for short-term stays for tourism or “business visitor” purposes. Broadly speaking, tourism include holidays, recreation, and seeing family and or friends. Business visitor activities may include attending business meetings, negotiations, conferences, or undertaking an exploratory business visit.
Target market
- Foreign nationals seeking to travel to Australia to visit family, or for tourism or “business visitor” purposes, on a short-term, temporary basis
Visitor visa options and streams
- Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601) (ETA) visa
- eVisitor (Subclass 651) visa
- Visitor (Subclass 600) visa, under one of the following streams:
- Tourist stream
- Business visitor stream
- Sponsored family stream
- Approved Destination Status stream
- Frequent traveller stream
Duration
- Both the ETA and eVisitor visas are valid for up to 12 months from grant, permitting the holder to enter multiple times during this period, for up to three months per entry
- A Visitor visa is generally also valid for up to 12 months from grant, permitting the holder to enter Australia for either a “single” entry or “multiple” entry, for up to three months per entry. However, the visa duration, stay period, and entry facilities would depend on the application stream and can be adjusted on a case-by-case basis
eVisitor (Subclass 651)
Visitor Visas
Be aware that there are certain differences in eligibility requirements depending on the type of Visitor visa applied for. In all cases, this is general information, and you should contact us or an immigration lawyer prior to making any decisions.
General eligibility
Broadly speaking, you may be eligible for an eVisitor if you:
- intend to visit Australia only temporarily, and for tourism or business visitor purposes;
- are outside Australia;
- hold an eVisitor-eligible passport (see below);
- are free of tuberculosis when you enter Australia; and
- satisfy character requirements – broadly speaking, if you have a criminal conviction in any country, you should instead apply for a Visitor (Subclass 600) visa.
The eVisitor visa will:
- be valid for up to 12 months from the date of grant, and allow you “multi entry” during the visa validity;
- allow you to stay up to three months from each date of entry; and
- not allow you to work in Australia on this visa.
E-Visitor-eligible passports are citizen passports issued by the following countries:
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You are not eligible to apply for the eVisitor if your only passport is a British National Overseas, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British Protected Person or British Subject passport.
Documents required
Generally, the only document required for an eVisitor application is the applicant’s passport.
Visitor (Subclass 600)
Visitor Visas
Be aware that there are certain differences in eligibility requirements depending on the type of Visitor visa applied for. In all cases, this is general information, and you should contact us or an immigration lawyer prior to making any decisions.
This page outlines the general document requirements, and more information can be found in our dedicated Visitor visa checklist.
General eligibility
Any other nationalities not eligible to apply for an ETA or eVisitor visa will need to apply for the Visitor (Subclass 600) visa if they wish to visit Australia.
You might be able to get this visa if you:
- genuinely intend to stay temporarily in Australia;
- have adequate means to support yourself; and
- satisfy one of the Visitor visa streams (see below).
Usually, these visas are valid for 12 months from the date of grant, with a permitted stay period of 3 months per entry. However, longer stay periods can be requested.
Visitor visas do not permit you to work, provide services to any business/organisation in Australia, or sell goods or services to the public whilst in Australia (unpaid genuine volunteer work may be permitted in certain circumstances).
Visitor visa streams
Tourist stream
Allows the visa holder to visit Australia as a tourist and to visit family and friends.
Business visitor stream
Allows the visa holder to visit Australia to undertake “business visitor activities”. You cannot engage in paid work, or sell goods or services.
Sponsored family stream
Allows the visa holder to come to Australia to see their family members. For an application in this stream, you must be sponsored by an eligible family member who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Approved Destination Status stream
Allows citizens from certain areas of China to visit Australia on a tour organised by an approved travel agent.
Frequent traveller stream
Allows citizens of the People’s Republic of China, Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam or Timor Leste who travel often to visa Australia for tourism or business visitor activities.
Documents required
- Valid passport
- Travel itinerary
- Proof of funds
- Supporting documents for the genuine temporary stay requirement
The genuine temporary stay requirement
Visitor Visas
All Visitor visa streams require that the applicant ‘genuinely intends’ to stay temporarily in Australia for the purpose for which the visa is granted.
General eligibility
Officers must consider three matters:
- whether the applicant has complied substantially with the conditions to which the last substantive visa, or any subsequent bridging visa, held by the applicant was subject;
- whether the applicant intends to comply with the conditions; and
- any other relevant matter (with which there is a significant list of factors that can be considered such as purpose of visit, employment and financial circumstances, immigration history, ties to Australia etc.).
For certain nationalities, this criterion can pose a significant barrier, and a successful visa application will require detailed submissions addressing the above point prior to grant of a Visitor visa. Speak to an experienced immigration provider if you’d like assistance with this.
We also have a separate blog post on what is considered in a genuine temporary entrant (GTE) assessment and the documents that could be provided as supporting evidence.
Visitor Visas
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the differences between the three visitor visa options?
- Visitor (Subclass 600) Visa: For citizens of any country, available for tourism, family visits, or business. Usually valid for up to 3, 6, or 12 months.
- ETA (Subclass 601): Only for passport holders from eligible countries (e.g., USA, Canada, Singapore). Usually valid for 12 months, permits multiple entries, and stays for up to 3 months per entry.
- eVisitor (Subclass 651): Only for passport holders from eligible countries (most European countries). Also allows multiple entries for up to 12 months, stays for up to 3 months per entry.
If you have a criminal conviction in any country, you should apply for a Visitor (Subclass 600) visa instead of an ETA or eVisitor visa.
How do I apply for a visitor visa?
- Visitor and eVisitor visas: Online through the ImmiAccount
- ETA: Apply via the Australian ETA app (available on Apple or Android)
How long can I stay in Australia?
- Visitor Visa: Generally up to 3, 6, or 12 months (depending on approval).
- ETA and eVisitor: Multiple visits allowed over a 12-month period, for up to 3 months per entry.
Can I travel in and out of Australia multiple times?
Multiple-entry is standard for the ETA and eVisitor visas. Visitor visa may be single or multiple entry – please check your visa grant notice to confirm.
Can I extend my stay?
There are no “visa renewals” in Australia, meaning if you’d like to stay in Australia beyond your permitted stay period, you would need to apply for a new visa – the most appropriate of which would depend on the purpose of your stay.
If you wish to extend your stay for tourism purposes, you could potentially apply for an onshore Visitor (Subclass 600 visa).
The Visitor visa can be granted with a condition 8503 attached – which prohibits the holder from applying for another other substantive visa while they are in Australia.
It may be worth speaking to an immigration professional to help you understand the most appropriate visa to apply for, any potential complications, and prospects.
Can I work or study on these visas?
Work rights are not granted on any visitor visas. Study is allowed for up to 3 months.
How long does each visitor visa take to process?
- ETA: Usually within minutes to a few days.
- eVisitor: Usually within minutes to a few days.
- Visitor visa: Processing varies depending on the stream, and can take up to a month (you can refer to the Department’s website for up-to-date processing times)
What are the common reasons for a visitor visa refusal?
The most common reasons for refusal typically relate to whether the Department accept that the applicant genuinely intends to stay in Australia temporarily. This typically relates to one of the following:
- Insufficient proof of funds
- Lack of strong ties to home country (and/or strong incentive to remain in Australia)
- Unclear travel purpose
- Past visa overstays or immigration issues
How much do visitor visas cost?
You can refer to our pricing guide for an estimate of fixed fee professional fees. You will also need to pay government fees for this visa application.
Broadly speaking, the lodgement fees as at May 2025 are:
- Visitor visa: $195 per person
- ETA: $20 per person
- eVisitor visa: Free
Disclaimer
The information contained here is offered for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or give rise to an attorney-client relationship between you and our firm. The information: (i) must be regarded as a practical guide for general information and not a process guide for determining the specific immigration requirements of the countries covered, (ii) should not be a substitute for a more indepth analysis of applicable facts and circumstances conducted by competent professionals, and (iii) does not represent an opinion from Hannan Tew or any of its agents with regard to the laws of any of the jurisdictions concerned. The information does not guarantee the outcome or approval of any particular immigration application.
What can we do for you?
With extensive experience assisting applicants applying for visas from all corners of the world, our staff are well placed to assist with all issues relating to Visitor visas.
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