Stay

Up to 12 months

Cost

AUD190.00. We might ask your sponsor to pay a security bond.

Processing times

• 25% of applications: 10 Days
• 50% of applications: 15 Days
• 75% of applications: 24 Days
• 90% of applications: 36 Days

With this visa you can

• visit family or friends
• cruise or have a holiday
• study or train for up to 3 months

You should check if a Visitor (subclass 600) visa in the Tourist stream might better suit you. The Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream visa also lets you visit Australia to see family and friends and does not require a sponsor.

You must

• have a sponsor
• intend to come to Australia as a visitor only

Help with your visa

If you are getting help with your visa, before you pay someone, read the information on Who can help with your visa application.

With this visa you can

• visit family or friends
• be here as a tourist, for a cruise, or for any purpose except business or medical treatment

You can study or train for up to 3 months in total on this visa. If your main reason for travelling to Australia is study, a student visa might be more appropriate.

You can't work.

You should check if a Visitor (subclass 600) visa in the Tourist stream might better suit you. The Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream visa also lets you visit Australia to see family and friends and does not require a sponsor.

Cruise

You will need a visa if you enter Australia during a cruise.

If your cruise is a round-trip cruise, the time you spend on the cruise counts as time spent in Australia. We do not consider you to have left Australia. A round-trip cruise will not reset your stay period on your visa.

Ask your cruise operator or travel agent if we consider your cruise to be a round trip cruise.

How long you can stay

This is a temporary visa. We might grant it for up to 12 months.

We determine the length of your visa on a case by case basis. Things we might consider when determining your stay period include:

• how long you want to stay
• why you want to stay in Australia

You might not be granted the length of stay you want.

Generally we grant this visa with only one entry permitted. This means that after you leave Australia you need to apply for another visa before you can return.

Stay longer

You can't stay in Australia longer by extending this visa. You must apply for another visa in Australia.

You can apply for a new visa if your current visa does not have a condition that prevents further stay, such as condition 8503 - No Further Stay. We can waive a no further stay condition in limited circumstances.

If you want to stay longer or permanently in Australia you will need to apply for a visa that allows this.

Include family

You can't include family members in your application. A separate application must be made for each member of your family, including those listed on your passport.

If other family members are applying for this visa, your applications can be processed together. Learn more when you apply for the visa.

Newborn child

Find out what to do if your child is born after you apply.

Cost

This visa costs from AUD190.00 for each applicant.

You might also have to pay other costs for:

• health checks
• police certificates
• biometrics

Use the Visa Pricing Estimator to work out what your visa will cost. The estimator does not take into account the other costs.

Apply from

You must be outside Australia when you apply and when we decide on your application.

Processing times

We process:

• 25% of applications: 10 Days
• 50% of applications: 15 Days
• 75% of applications: 24 Days
• 90% of applications: 36 Days

Your obligations

You must comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws.

Health insurance

We recommend you obtain health insurance to cover any unforeseen medical treatment you might need in Australia. You are personally liable for all your healthcare costs while you are in Australia. Insurance can help limit your financial liability.

See what we consider adequate health insurance.

Learn more about health insurance for overseas visitors.

Reciprocal healthcare agreements

Some countries have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia. Find out more from Services Australia about reciprocal healthcare agreements.

Travel

If we grant you a multiple-entry visa, you can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want while the visa is valid.

If we grant you a single-entry visa and you leave Australia, you can't re-enter on the visa. You must apply for another visa to come back.

Check if you have multiple or single entry in Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) or your visa grant letter.

Visa record

We will digitally link your visa to your passport. You will not get a label in your passport.

Meet our health requirement

You must meet our health requirement.

Meet our character requirement

You must meet our character requirement.
We might expect other family members to meet the requirement.

Pay your debts to the Australian government

If you or any family members (including those who don't apply for the visa with you) owe the Australian government money, you or they must have paid it back or arranged to pay it back.

Have enough money

You must have, or have access to, enough money to support yourself while you are in Australia.

Be a genuine visitor

You must intend to:

• stay only temporarily in Australia
• obey any condition and stay period attached to your visa

Have a sponsor

You must have a sponsor.

To learn about who can sponsor you, see the Sponsor Eligibility tab.

If a family member wants to support you without becoming a sponsor, you can apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream. Provide a letter of invitation from your family member with your application.

Best interests of the child

We might not grant this visa if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.

Step 1

Before you apply

Check your passport

You need a valid passport or other travel document for this visa. If you plan to get a new passport, do this before you apply.

Organise health exams

You can complete your health examinations before you apply or you can wait until we tell you to have them.

Find out the examinations you need and how to arrange them.

Get help with your application

Only some people can help you with your application. If you appoint someone to give you immigration assistance they must be:

• a registered migration agent
• a legal practitioner, or
• an exempt person.

You can appoint anyone to receive documents on your behalf relating to your visa matter.

Step 2

Gather your documents

Include as much information as possible to support your application. This includes English translations of your documents.

We may decide your application without requesting further information from you.

Follow these instructions to ensure you submit a complete visa application.

Provide accurate information

Provide accurate information.

See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide true information.

Identity documents

Provide the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details and passport issue and expiry dates.

Also provide:

• a national identity card, if you have one
• proof of change of name, if applicable, such as:
• a marriage or divorce certificate
• change of name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant overseas authority
• documents that show other names you have been known by

Genuine visitor documents

Provide as much proof as you can to show you are visiting Australia as a temporary visitor only. This could include:

• proof you have enough money for your stay and to leave Australia, such as,
• Itemised personal bank statements showing a 3 months period
• pay slips
• audited accounts
• tax records
• term deposits
• credit card statements.
• a letter from your relative or friend in Australia, inviting you to visit. The letter could state:
• their relationship to you
• the purpose of your visit and length of stay
• if you will be staying with them. If this person will be paying for your stay, provide proof of their funds
• your plans while in Australia

Your reasons to return home such as:

• a letter from your employer stating you plan to return to your job
• your study at a school, college or university in your home country
• you immediate family members in your home country
• you can return home
• you own a house or other major assets in your home country.

Character documents

Provide any military service record or discharge papers, if applicable.
We may ask you to provide a police certificate.

Tell us you are getting help

To nominate someone to:

• receive your correspondence, use Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (301KB PDF)
• provide immigration assistance, use Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (308KB PDF).

Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount.

Additional documents for applicants under 18

If you are under the age of 18, you should provide a copy of your birth certificate showing the names of both parents. If you can’t provide a birth certificate, provide one of the following:

• identification pages of a family book showing the names of both parents
• identification pages of an identification document issued by the government
• identification pages of a court-issued document that proves your identity
• identification pages of a family census register

If somebody other than your biological parents has legal guardianship over you (for example, adoptive parents or a court-appointed guardian), you must provide proof of their legal guardianship.

Provide adoption papers or parental court orders, if applicable.

Anyone with a legal right to decide where you live, and who is not travelling in Australia with you, must complete either:

• Form 1229 - Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years (240KB PDF)
• a statutory declaration giving their consent for you to visit Australia on this visa

Include a document with the signature and photo of the person who completed the form, or declaration, such as a:

• passport
• driver’s licence

In addition to consent information if you’re not staying with a relative or legal guardian, provide Form 1257 - Undertaking declaration (211KB PDF). The person you’re staying with must sign the form.

Prepare your documents

Translate

Have all non-English documents translated into English.

Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.

Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:

• full name
• address and telephone number
• qualifications and experience in the language they are translating

These details must be in English.

Note: You do not need to have any documents certified unless we ask you to.

Scan or photograph

Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour.

The scans and photos must be clear and legible.

If a document is more than one page, save it all as one file.

Attach

Attach a document only once, even if you are using it to show more than one thing.

Learn more about attaching documents.

Step 3

Apply for the visa

Provide accurate information

Provide accurate information.

See what happens if you can't prove your identity or don't provide true information.

Apply online

1. Log in or create an Account.
2. Attach documents.
3. Submit family applications together.
4. Pay the application fee. We will not process your application until you pay the fee.

Step 4

After you apply

We will let you know when we have received your application and documents.

There are other things you need to know and might need to do.

Travel

Tell us if you want to travel outside Australia while we process your application.

If you:

• applied within Australia
• hold a Bridging visa A.

You might be eligible for a Bridging visa B, which will allow you to return to Australia if you leave.

Biometrics

We will let you know if you need to provide biometrics.

Health exams

If you didn't have health exams before you applied for the visa, have them if we tell you to.

Send more information

If you did not send us all documents when you applied, attach them to your application in ImmiAccount as soon as you can.

We may decide on your application without requesting further information from you.

Stay lawful

You must stay lawful by holding a valid visa while we process your application.

Apply for this visa in Australia before your current visa expires. We will grant you a Bridging visa A (BVA). You can stay in Australia on the BVA while we process your new visa application.

Don't let your current visa expire before you apply. If you do:

• you will be in Australia unlawfully
• you might not be eligible for a BVA

Learn more about visa expiry.

Mistakes on your application

Let us know as soon as you can if you made a mistake on your application.

Find out what to do if you made a mistake on your application.

Help with your application

Let us know if you no longer want someone to:

• receive your correspondence - complete Form 956A Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (301KB PDF)
• provide immigration advice - complete Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person (308KB PDF).

Upload your written notification or your forms to Account.

For more information see Who can help you with your application.

Tell us if things change

Tell us if things change after you submit your application but before we have made a decision.

Things you need to let us know about include:

• you want to withdraw your application
• changes to your phone number,
• address or passport
• changes to your relationship status
• the birth of a child

Step 5

Visa outcome

We will let you know our decision on your visa application in writing. We will tell you:

• your visa grant number
• the date your visa starts
• your visa conditions

Keep a copy of our decision with you when in Australia.

If we refuse your visa we will let you know in writing. We will tell you why we refused and whether you have a right to a review of the decision.

Coming to Australia

Before you travel

Check your travel documents

You must have:

• a valid visa to enter Australia
• a valid passport or other travel document

At the border

Complete an Incoming Passenger Card

Everyone who arrives in Australia must complete an Incoming Passenger Card.

Using the SmartGate

A SmartGate is an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.

In Australia

What you must do on your visa

You must meet all visa conditions and obey Australian laws. See your conditions in VEVO or your visa grant letter.

Learn more about visa conditions.

Tell us about a change in your situation

Tell us if there is a change in your situation.

Things you need to let us know about include:

• changes to your phone number, email, address or passport
• changes to your relationship status
• the birth of a child

What you can do on your visa

This visa lets you:

• visit family or friends
• cruise or have a holiday
• study or train for up to 3 months

To see your specific conditions, work and study entitlements use VEVO.
Volunteer work tourism schemes
You can't work in Australia on a Visitor visa, but you might be able to do volunteer work.

Travel on your visa

If you have multiple entry, you can travel outside Australia and return while your visa is valid.

If you have no travel and you leave Australia, you have to apply for another visa to return.

See how long you can stay

See when you must leave in VEVO.

Staying longer

You can't stay in Australia longer by extending this visa. You must apply for a new visa if you want to stay longer. See Explore visa options.

Prove you have a visa

To prove you have a visa and show your conditions to someone, use VEVO.

Leaving Australia

Before you leave

Check your travel documents
You must have a valid passport or other travel document to leave Australia.

At the border

Departures SmartGate
We have an automated process that uses facial recognition technology and your ePassport. You might be able to leave the airport faster if you use SmartGate.

After you leave

International Movement Record
Request your international movement records to get proof of your travel in and out of Australia.