What are the Visitor visa options?
Visitor visas are a range of visas designed for short-term trips to Australia for tourism, business, or medical treatment purposes. The reasons for travel and the applicant’s country of passport will affect the eligibility criteria, adding a layer of complexity to the process.
Travellers from around the world rely on our expertise to navigate the visitor visa process efficiently. Whether you’re exploring the country, visiting family and friends, or conducting business, we’re here to assist you every step of the way.
Electronic Visitor Visas
601 Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) allows people to travel to Australia for 3 months per visit for a holiday, visit family, or attend to business visitor activities.
651 eVisitor allows people to travel to Australia for 3 months per visit for a holiday, visit family, or attend to business visitor activities.
Medical Treatment Visas
602 Medical Treatment allows people to travel to or remain in Australia to undertake or complete their medical treatment. This visa type can also be used by family accompanying or providing support to a patient.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they can cover their living and medical costs, that they will not deprive an Australian Citizen or permanent resident access to the same treatment, and do not have a medical condition that could be a threat to the Australian community.
Visitor Visa Streams
600 Visitor allows people to travel to Australia for up to 12 months per visit for holiday. There are a number of streams under this subclass, including:
Tourist – For holiday makers and those visiting family in Australia
Business Visitor – For business people making general enquiries, attending meetings, or going to a conference
Sponsored Family – For visitors who require sponsorship from an Australian relative or Government body in order to satisfy the Department of Home Affairs that they will depart at the end of the stay period
Approved Destination Status – For Chinese passport holders on guided tours with an approved travel agent
Frequent Traveller – For those who frequently travel for business or personal reasons, with passports from:
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- Brunei Darussalam
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Lao People’s Democratic Republic
- Malaysia
- People’s Republic of China
- The Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Vietnam
While not a formal stream, parents of Australian Citizens and permanent residents can apply for a longer 600 Visitor visa with stays of up to 12 months in any 18-month period.
Business Visitors
Business visitors are subject to condition 8115 which allows the holder to undertake ‘business visitor activities’ while in Australia. These include:
- making general business or employment enquiries
- investigating, negotiating, reviewing, or entering into a business contract
- conducting activities as part of an official government visit
- taking part in a conference, trade fair or seminar (unless being paid to take part)
- undertaking tourist activities
Business visitors are not permitted to:
- undertake any paid employment including highly specialised work in Australia;
- engage in activities (such as any form of paid employment in Australia) that could adversely impact on employment, training opportunities or conditions of employment for Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents;
- provide ongoing services to an organisation or other person based in Australia;
- undertake retail activity in Australia (the sale of goods or services to the general public);
- appear as a paid presenter, performer or guest speaker at a ticketed event.
Applicants who may be undertaking work in Australia should consider a Subclass 400 Temporary Work visa.
Key Information for Visitor Visa Applicants
Immigration’s officers are not required to request further documents or information before making a decision on a Visitor visa application. Applicants should ensure all supporting evidence is provided at the time of application, or risk a swift visa refusal.
Sufficient Funds: Applicants must be able to prove they have access to adequate funds to support themselves throughout their stay. Generally, this would be at least AU$1000 per person, per month of intended stay.
Genuine Visitor: Applicants must demonstrate a genuine intention to visit Australia temporarily, with incentive to depart Australia at the end of the stay. This involves providing documents showing ties back to their country of origin, including:
- Ongoing employment
- Schooling
- Active membership in a religious or community group
- Family in home country
- Operating a business
- Owning or renting a property
Biometrics: Australian Immigration collects biometrics (photograph and digital fingerprints) to verify the identity of applicants from certain countries. If requested, applicants must attend a collection centre within 14 days in order for the application to continue processing. This is an additional cost to consider, and may involve extensive travel to a collection point.
Health: Subclass 600 Visitor visa applicants aged 75 years and over will be required to undertake medical examinations as part of the application process. Other applicants may be requested to undertake medicals based on their length of intended stay or risk levels for TB.
Character: Applicants with any sort of criminal conviction must apply for a Subclass 600 Visitor visa. Applicants who have served in the military should provide service papers.
No Further Stay: Condition 8503 prevents visa holders from making a further application while in Australia. This is currently being applied to most Subclass 600 Visitor visas, with plans to extend this to the ETA and eVisitor visas in future.
Eligible Passports for Electronic Visitor Visas
601 ETA passport list
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- British National (Overseas)
- Brunei
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong (SAR of China)
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Monaco
- Norway
- Portugal
- Republic of San Marino
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan (excluding official or diplomatic passports)
- The Netherlands
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Vatican City
651 eVisitor passport list
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Republic of San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- Vatican City
What are the Visitor visa application fees?
As of 1 July 2026, the government application fees are as follows:
601 Electronic Travel Authority Visa Application – per applicant – $20
651 eVisitor Visa – Nil
600 Visitor Visa Application Outside Australia – per applicant – $250
600 Visitor Visa Application Inside Australia – per applicant – $630
602 Medical Treatment Visa Application Outside Australia – per applicant – $Nil
602 Medical Treatment Visa Application Inside Australia – Main Applicant – $480
602 Medical Treatment Visa Application Inside Australia – Dependent Applicant over 18yrs – $240
602 Medical Treatment Visa Application Inside Australia – Dependent Applicant under 18 yrs – $120
What are the current Visitor visa processing times?
As of 29 September 2026, Immigration advises the current processing times are as follows:
| Application Type | 50% processed within | 90% processed within |
| 601 ETA | 1 day* | 1 day* |
| 651 eVisitor | 1 day* | 1 day* |
| 600 Tourist | 21 days | 33 days |
| 600 Business Visitor | 7 days | 19 days |
| 600 Sponsored Family | 40 days | 3 months |
| 602 Medical Treatment | 19 days | 3 months |
* AVIE clients have reported a slow-down in processing ETA and eVisitor applications, with some taking over 1 week.
Why Choose AVIE for Immigration Services?
Personalized Guidance – Every migration journey is unique, and we provide tailored advice to match your circumstances and goals.
Expert Problem-Solving – Our team has extensive experience handling complex visa situations and finding tailored solutions to meet client needs.
Dedicated Support – We intentionally cap our agents’ caseloads to ensure you receive the time, care, and dedication you deserve. You’re never just a number with us.
Avoid Mistakes – Avoid costly delays and reapplications—our expertise ensures visa applications are done right the first time.
Stress-Free Process – We handle the complexities of visa applications, so you can focus on planning your new life in Australia.
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FAQs
Can I extend my visa?
It may be possible to apply for a further Visitor visa while in Australia, if the current visa does not have a ‘no further stay’ condition or other condition requiring the applicant to depart Australia.
All applications are made as a Subclass 600 Visa. It is not possible to apply for a 601 ETA or 651 eVisitor while in Australia.
Are there visitor visa conditions?
Yes, all visitors must comply with the conditions of their visa during their stay in Australia. These include prohibitions on working, limits on the period of time they can study, maintaining adequate health insurance coverage, departing before the visa expiry date, and refraining from engaging in any disruptive activities.