Tourist Visa Australia (Subclass 600, 408, 444)

Overview

The visit and tourist visas allow you to come to Australia temporarily for a short period. The duration of these visas can vary from 3 months up to 4 years, depending on the visa subclass and the subclass stream. You will need to pay in order to make an application for any of the subclasses. Processing for these visas can be from one day to 43 months. You will need to abide by the conditions you may get with the visa grant letter. Breach of any of the conditions might result in the cancellation of your visa. Some of the very popular streams are outlined below:

SC 600

This visa is known as a visitor visa. It allows you to visit Australia as a tourist, to see family and friends, or for business or medical treatment purposes. The duration of this visa will depend on the stream you choose for your visa SC 600 application. Generally, you will need to prove your genuine intentions to visit Australia temporarily. You must prove you have enough money for your stay in Australia. You will receive some conditions with this visa including work and stay limitations. You must comply with all the visa conditions, as a breach of any of these conditions can lead to the cancellation of your visa. The application will cost you AUD 150 if you apply from offshore. The cost for onshore applicants is AUD 370. Your application will be processed between 16 days to 4 months. You can make an application for any of the streams mentioned below:

Tourist stream (apply in Australia)

Tourist stream (apply from outside Australia)

Business visitor stream

Approved destination status stream

Frequent traveller stream

SC 408

Also known as the temporary activity visa, SC 408 allows you to come to Australia to do specific types of work on a short-term, temporary basis. The duration of this visa will depend on the stream you choose for your visa SC 408 application. In order to get this visa, you must have the required skills to undertake the activity to be carried out in Australia and must be supported or sponsored for the same. You might have to meet some additional requirements depending on the stream of SC 408. Generally, you must prove your genuine intentions to pursue the activity in Australia on this temporary visa. The application will cost you AUD 325. Your application will be processed between 1 day to 43 months. Under this visa, you might have to comply with conditions 8106, 8107, 8114, 8301, 8501, 8502, 8503, 8516, 8522, 8525, and 8526, and a breach of any of these conditions can lead to the cancellation of your visa. You can make an application for any of the streams mentioned below:

Australian government endorsed events

Special program

Religious work

Research activities

Invited for other social and cultural activity (Invited participant)

Sporting activities

Entertainment activities

Superyacht crew

Exchange arrangements

Domestic work for executives

Important

Due to the impact of the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic, the government has introduced a new stream for SC 408. This visa lets you stay in Australia to work if you are employed or have an offer of employment in a key sector or any other sector of the economy. The key sectors include Agriculture, Food processing, Healthcare, Aged Care, Disability Care, Child Care, and Tourism & Hospitality. Generally, this visa is granted for up to 12 months, however, the duration can be 6 months if you are working in any other sector other than the Key sectors. If you are a visitor with no work rights, you should make an arrangement to return home. If you apply after 21^st Feb 2022, you are not allowed to lodge this visa, on the basis of not being able to return to your home country. This visa is free of cost. The processing time for this visa has not been specified by the government.

To be able to apply for this visa, you must be in Australia and must maintain adequate health insurance. You must prove that you are a Genuine Temporary Entrant. At the time of your application, you must have sufficient evidence of your employment or an offer of employment. You must hold a substantive visa with work rights that expires in 90 days or less or that expired 28 days ago or less. If you arrived after 21^st Feb 2022, you must hold a substantive visa with work rights unless you have a job offer from commonwealth funded aged care.

SC 444

This is a special category temporary visa that lets you study, stay and work in Australia if you are a New Zealand Citizen and meet the eligibility criteria. It is usually applied each time you enter Australia. With this visa, you can apply for a permanent visa if eligible. Generally, it is granted for an infinite time and ceases when you leave Australia. At the time of the application, you must remain in New Zealand and continue to meet the character requirement. There is no cost for an application for this visa. If you applied on arrival in Australia, your application will be processed at the airport, however, if you apply inside Australia, your application may take longer to process. Generally, it is granted without any condition.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I apply for an Australian tourist visa?

Also called a visitor visa, subclass 600 visa of Australia lets you visit the country as a tourist, for medical treatment, business purposes, or to meet family and friends. You need to prove that your intent to visit Australia is genuine and temporary. The visitor even needs to fulfil certain conditions with this tourist visit, including stay and work limitations. Furthermore, an individual must comply with all the visa requirements. You may make an application for the following streams for your visa:

Tourist stream (apply from outside Australia)
Tourist stream (apply in Australia)
Business visitor stream
Sponsored family stream
Frequent traveller stream
Approved destination status stream!

Can I extend a visitor visa?

Even if you have a visitor visa (subclass 600), you need to apply for another visa for extending your stay. However, you may not be able to apply for a new visa if there is any specific condition in the visa that prevents your further stay.

You must remain lawful while applying for a new visa. Or you may consider applying for tourist visas 600, 408, 444 for extending the say. For full details, consult a professional visa consultant to help you with the process.

How long can a tourist stay in Australia?

A tourist can stay for around 3 months every time he/she enters the country. The visa processing generally depends on the age of applications that are finalised within a given period. For more information on visa processing time and the duration of your stay in the country, consult a professional migration consultant.

How long can a tourist stay in Australia without a visa?

Typically, U.S. passport holders visiting Australia for business or tourism purposes for less than 90 days can get an electronic label-free visa, ETA (Electronic Travel Authority). They can get ETA from the official ETA website for a small amount of service fee.

Who can sponsor for a visitor visa to Australia?

To be a sponsor of a visitor visa, one needs to be a permanent resident in Australia or an Australian citizen of 18 years or more.

For full details, it’s best to consult a professional education agent in Australia.

What are the requirements for a tourist visa in Australia?

Proof you have enough money for your stay and to leave Australia, such as temised Personal Bank Statements For a 3-month period
A letter from your relative or friend in Australia, inviting you to visit
Your plans while in Australia.
Proof that you have reasons to return home