Step-by-Step Process to Get an Australia Visitor Visa (2026 Updated Guide)

The Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is the visa that allows you to visit Australia for temporary stay for tourism purposes, business purposes, or for visiting your family or friends. The duration of stay in the visitor visa can vary between 3 and 12 months with single or multiple entries as per the visa stream. The application fee for visitor visas differs according to the stream and generally starts at AUD 190 with additional costs for biometrics and health checks.

Various streams for the Australia Visitor Visa

The various streams for the Australia Visitor Visa are as follows:

Tourist Stream

This visa is for people travelling to Australia for tourism purposes. Depending on the decision by the Department of Home Affairs, the applicant will be given a visa for 1 year or 3 years and will be allowed to stay for a continuous period of 3 months and the applicant then have to exit and can enter again. With this visa, working is not permitted, and the applicant has to provide adequate evidence of funds for travel, accommodation, and living expenses and should demonstrate strong ties to the home country.

Sponsored Family Stream

This visa allows people to visit family in Australia with sponsorship from a family member who is an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. The applicant can stay up to 12 months, on the basis of circumstances. The sponsor must provide a declaration stating they will support the visitor financially if the need arises. The applicant cannot work with this visa.

Business Visitor Stream 

People who are visiting Australia for business purposes, such as attending conferences, signing contracts, etc., can apply for the Business Visitor visa stream. A person cannot work for an Australian company or earn an income in Australia with this visa. This visa allows the applicant to stay up to 3 months and at times more, depending on the circumstances.

Frequent Traveller Stream

 The Frequent Traveller Visa Stream is ideal for people who frequently visit Australia for business, tourism, or family visit purposes. On this visa the applicant is allowed multiple entries for short-term visits, with each stay generally limited to 3 months. The applicant must provide proof of sufficient funds for the stay and cannot work in Australia on this visa.

Australian Visitor Visa Processing Time

The Australian Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) processing time for applications can vary according to the:

• Visa stream
• The profile of the applicant
• Application completeness and information accuracy
• Biometrics and medical examination requirements
• Travel seasons
• Requests for additional documentation

Processing Time

• Tourist Visa Stream:- Typically you receive the decision within 2–6 weeks, but the processing time may take longer.
• Business Visitor Visa Stream:- The processing time is short and takes around 1–4 weeks.
• Sponsored family visa stream:- The processing time takes around 6-10 weeks and more.
• Frequent Traveller Visa Stream:- The processing time is very short, and it takes around 1–3 weeks.

Note: For faster processing and to meet any unexpected requirements, plan and apply for the visa in advance. Furthermore, ensure that your application is complete and properly documented.

 Application Process

• Choose the visitor visa stream that matches your purpose for the visit.
• Check your eligibility criteria.
• Collect the documents in advance.
• Keep ready the certified translations of documents that are not in English.
• Visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs website and create an ImmiAccount.
• After logging in to ImmiAccount, select Visitor Visa (Subclass 600).
• Complete the online application form with consistency, accuracy, and honesty.
• Scan, label, and upload the supporting documents in a readable and clear format.
• Pay the required visa application fee (fees vary according to the stream) through the ImmiAccount (Note: Fees are non-refundable even if the application gets refused).
• If required, provide biometric.
• Complete the medical examination (if required).
• Track your visa status in your ImmiAccount dashboard.
• Receive the visa decision.

Visitor Visa Document Checklist

 The documents that are generally required while applying for a visitor visa are:

1. A valid passport with at least 6 months validity
2. Recent passport-size photos
3. A cover letter with a proper explanation regarding your purpose of visit
4. Bank statement of the last 6 months
5. Income tax return statements
6. Salary slips
7. Employment Letter
8. Sponsor’s financial documents (if applicable)
9. Travel itinerary including accommodation details, flight details
10. Travel insurance with medical coverage
11. Documents demonstrating property or business ownership
12. Invitation letter (if visiting family or friends)
13. Proof of relationship, such as birth certificates and marriage certificates
14. Police clearance certificate (if required)
15. A medical check certificate / Health insurance (if required)
16. Completed online application form
17. Visa application fee receipt

Common Reasons for Visitor Visa Refusals and How to Avoid Them

1. Insufficient funds

One of the major reasons for visitor visa refusal is failure to demonstrate that you have enough funds to support your travel and stay.

 How to avoid:

• Submit bank statements for the past six months (the statements must show a consistent income and savings).
• Submit payslips and employment letters.
• Submit income tax return statements.
• If the trip is being sponsored, then submit the financial documents of the sponsor, such as bank statements, proof of income, and a sponsorship letter.
• Avoid sudden, huge bank deposits that are unexplainable.

2. No Proof of Genuine Temporary Stay (GTE)

Being unable to prove your Genuine Temporary Stay (GTE) in Australia will get your visa refused.

How to avoid:

• Provide enough evidence of assets and property in the home country.
• Submit a cover letter with an adequate explanation regarding your visit intention (it must match the visa stream), period of stay, and intention to return.
• Provide enough proof to show your strong ties with your home country (such as family responsibilities, studies, business ownership, employment, etc.).
• Provide a detailed itinerary (if applicable).
• Provide details of return travel plans.
• Invitation letter (for family/friends)

3. Weak Travel History

Having no or limited international travel history can lead to visa refusals.

How to avoid:

• Provide visas and entry/exit stamps from previous international travels.
• Do not submit any fake travel documents.
• Submit your application with strong financial and employment evidence.

4. Health or Character Concerns

 Not meeting the health and character standards under the Australian law can lead to visa refusals.

How to avoid:

• Complete the health checks as required.
• Submit the police clearance certificate as required.
• Provide evidence of health insurance.

5. Documentation that is incomplete and inaccurate  

Another common reason for visa refusals is submitting incomplete documents and giving inaccurate and inconsistent information.

How to avoid:

• Ensure the details, such as names, dates, job details, financial information, etc., are all consistent in the documents.
• Do not submit any fake documents.
• Submit all the necessary documents.
• Scan, label, and upload the documents clearly in the specified format.
• Double-check the application before submission.
• Submit certified translations for documents that are not in English.

6. History of previous visa refusals and immigration issues

Having a history of previous visa refusals, immigration issues, overstays, or breaches of rules can lead to visa refusals.

How to avoid:

• Declare and submit proper explanations for previous visa refusals.
• Provide strong and more convincing documentation.
• Be transparent and never hide any immigration history.

You can contact ImmiLaw Global for more information about the Australia Visitor Visa and for applying to the ideal stream according to your purpose of visit. Our team will take care of everything regarding the application process and submission!