Visitor Visa | Subclass 600
Visitor Visa
The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is a temporary visa that allows you to travel to Australia for tourism, business visitor activities, or to visit family and friends. Whether you are planning a short holiday or a series of business meetings, this visa provides the legal framework for a secure and compliant stay in Australia.
Subclass 600 Visitor Visa – At a Glance
| FEATURE | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Temporary |
| Stay | Typically 3, 6, or 12 months |
| Cost | From $250 AUD (Offshore) or $630 (Onshore)1 |
| Processing Time | Visa Application timeframe in the Tourist stream is approx. 13 days – 29 days others stream timeframes vary2 |
| Key Requirement | Genuine Visitor requirement |
Fees are subject to change by the Department and other concession fees may apply.
To view our professional services fees click here.
Key Eligibility Criteria
To be successful in a 600 visa application in 2026, you must demonstrate to the Department of Home Affairs that you are a Genuine Visitor who will obey visa conditions and return home.
1. Genuine Visitor Requirement
This is the cornerstone of the Visitor visa. You must prove that your intention is to stay in Australia only temporarily for the purpose for which the visa is granted. The Department assesses your ties to home, such as stable employment, business ownership, property, or family responsibilities that would compel you to return.
2. Financial Capacity
You must have, or have access to, enough money to support yourself (and any accompanying family) for the duration of your stay and to leave Australia at the end of your visit. Evidence typically includes itemised personal bank statements for at least a three-month period, pay slips, or audited accounts.
3. Purpose of Visit: Selecting the Right Stream
The subclass 600 is divided into several streams. Choosing the wrong one is a common cause of refusal:
- Tourist Stream: For holidays, cruises, or visiting family.
- Business Visitor Stream: For attending conferences, negotiations, or general business enquiries.
- Sponsored Family Stream: Requires a formal sponsorship bond from an eligible Australian relative.
- Frequent Traveller Stream: Specifically for citizens of the People’s Republic of China.
4. Health and Character
All applicants must meet Australia’s health and character standards. Depending on your country of origin and planned length of stay, you may be required to undergo a medical examination or provide police clearances.
How to Apply for the Subclass 600 Visitor Visa
A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Identify the Correct Stream & Validity
We begin by assessing whether a 3, 6, or 12-month stay is appropriate for your travel goals and whether you require single or multiple entry rights.
Step 2: Compile a Decision-Ready Document File
Evidence of “incentive to return” is critical. We assist in gathering employment letters, leave approvals, and asset records that satisfy Departmental scrutiny.
Step 3: Lodge Your Online Application
Applications are lodged via ImmiAccount. For onshore applicants, this process typically triggers a Bridging Visa, allowing you to remain lawful while your new Visitor visa is processed.
Step 4: Biometrics & Medicals (If Requested)
After lodgement, the Department may request biometric data (fingerprints and photos) or a health check. Prompt completion of these is vital to stay within the median processing window.
Step 5: Receive Your Visa Grant
Upon grant, you will receive a notification outlining your stay period and conditions. We provide a full compliance briefing to ensure you understand your stay limits.
Being on a Subclass 600 Visitor Visa means…
What You Can Do on the Subclass 600 Visa
As a temporary visitor, you have the right to:
- Visit family and friends residing in Australia.
- Engage in tourist activities, including sightseeing and cruises.
- Conduct business visitor activities, such as attending trade fairs or contract negotiations.
- Study or train for a maximum of 3 months.
Your Visa Obligations
The 600 visa is subject to strict conditions that must be maintained:
- Condition 8101 (No Work): You are strictly prohibited from working in Australia.
- Condition 8201: You must not study for more than 3 months.
- Condition 8503 (No Further Stay): Many Visitor visas are granted with this condition, which prevents you from applying for most other visas while in Australia.
The Pathway to Permanent Residency
The subclass 600 is not a direct pathway to permanent residency. However, it is often used by families to stay together while preparing for Partner visas or Parent visas. If your visa does not have Condition 8503, you may be eligible to transition to other visa subclasses onshore.
Your Best Chance of Success with Visa Advisory Australia
The Visitor visa has one of the highest refusal rates in the Australian system due to subjective assessments of genuine intent. Our Registered Migration Agents specialise in overcoming these hurdles.
Our Subclass 600 Services include:
Risk Mitigation Strategy: We identify potential red flags in your travel or financial history before you pay government fees.
Decision-Ready Application: Using our proprietary checklist to ensure every document is verifiable and compliant.
Complex Cases Specialist: Expert management of applications for individuals with previous visa refusals or limited ties to their home country.
Condition 8503 Waivers: Assisting clients in requesting the removal of “No Further Stay” conditions where compassionate or compelling circumstances exist.
Full Management: From initial stream selection to final grant notification.
And much, much more.
Don’t risk a visa refusal. Talk to an expert today.
Related Visas
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the
Subclass 600 Visitor Visa
Q: Can I include my family or partner on my 600 visa?
A: No. Each family member, including dependent children, must lodge their own individual application and pay the required fee. However, we can process them as a single group application for consistency.
Q: Can I work part-time to fund my holiday?
A: No. Subclass 600 holders are strictly prohibited from working in Australia. Doing so can lead to visa cancellation and a 3-year ban on future applications.
Q: My visa is about to expire. Can I “extend” it while in Australia?
A: You cannot technically extend a 600 visa. You must apply for a new Visitor visa to stay longer. If you apply onshore, the VAC is significantly higher.
Q: What happens if my visa is refused?
A: If refused offshore, you generally have no right of appeal. If your visa is refused while you are onshore, you may have rights to appeal the decision to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Our firm is highly experienced in representing clients at the ART for partner visa matters. Our firm specialises in ART appeals for family visas – click here for further details.
- Base application charge only. Prices are subject to change. Source: Department of Home Affairs. ↩︎
- Visa processing time current as of 04 May 2026. For the latest processing time click here. ↩︎
