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Visitor Visa Australia

Tourism, Family Visits & Short Business Trips 

Whether you’re planning a holiday, visiting family or attending short business meetings, you’ll usually need a Visitor Visa Australia pathway. For most travellers this means one of three options: the Visitor Visa (subclass 600), the eVisitor (651) or the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA 601).


Visa4you helps you choose the right option, understand requirements and avoid common mistakes that cause delays. 


  • Clear overview of Subclass 600, 651 and 601
  • Tourist, family-visit and short business visitor options 
  • Guidance on documents, processing times and onshore/offshore rules
  • Support in English, German and Dutch, online or in-office


Check Your Visitor Visa Options ​  ​Book a Visitor Visa Consultation


What Are the Main Visitor Visa Options for Australia? 

Most short-stay travellers use one of these:


  1. Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – for tourists, family visits or short business trips, usually 3, 6 or 12 months.
  2. eVisitor (Subclass 651) – free online visa for certain European passports, multiple visits up to 3 months at a time within 12 months.
  3. Electronic Travel Authority (ETA – Subclass 601) – app-based authorisation for eligible passports, multiple visits for up to 3 months each within 12 months. 

The right Visitor Visa Australia option depends mainly on your passport, purpose of visit, trip length and where you apply from.

 


Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)

Flexible Tourist & Family Visit Option ​


Streams commonly used by individuals:

  • Tourist Stream (outside Australia): visit for a holiday, cruise or to see family/friends, typically up to 3, 6 or 12 months.
  • Tourist Stream (in Australia): extend your stay as a visitor if you’re already onshore and eligible.
  • Sponsored Family Stream: visit family in Australia with sponsorship (and sometimes a security bond) from an eligible relative.
  • Business Visitor Stream: attend conferences, meetings or explore business opportunities without working in the Australian labour market.

Basic eligibility highlights:

  • Be a genuine visitor staying temporarily.
  • Have enough funds for your stay and onward travel.
  • Meet health and character requirements. 


eVisitor (Subclass 651)

Free Short-Stay Visitor Visa ​


The eVisitor 651 is a visa for citizens of certain European countries. It allows: 

  • Multiple entries to Australia over 12 months
  • Up to 3 months per visit
  • Travel for tourism, visiting family/friends or short business visitor activities
  • Limited study or training (usually up to 3 months)

You must:

  • Apply from outside Australia
  • Hold a passport from an eligible eVisitor country
  • Intend to visit temporarily and obey visa conditions 

For many EU/Schengen travellers, the eVisitor is the most convenient Visitor Visa Australia pathway.  


ETA (Subclass 601)

App-Based Visitor Permission ​


The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA 601) is a digital visa linked to your passport and requested via the Australian ETA smartphone app for eligible nationalities. 


Key features:

  • Valid for 12 months
  • Multiple entries, up to 3 months per visit
  • For tourism, visiting family/friends or certain business visitor activities

You must:

  • Apply from outside Australia
  • Hold an eligible passport
  • Use the official ETA app to submit your application 

Visa4you helps you understand if you’re eligible for ETA or whether you should use a Visitor Visa 600 instead. 


Who Can Apply for a Visitor Visa Australia Pathway?


You might need one of these visas if you plan to:

  • Tour Australia – holidays, road trips, cruises, sightseeing.
  • Visit family or friends living in Australia.
  • Attend short business meetings, conferences or trade fairs (without working in an Australian job).
  • Undertake short courses or training (usually up to 3 months) where permitted.

General requirements across Visitor Visas include being a genuine temporary visitor, showing sufficient funds, and meeting health/character checks.

How to Apply for a Visitor Visa Australia

The exact steps depend on the visa type, but a typical Visitor Visa 600 process looks like:

​

1

Choose the Right Visa 

Confirm whether you are eligible for eVisitor 651 or ETA 601. If not, or if you need a longer stay, look at Visitor Visa 600.

2

Create an ImmiAccount (for 600/eVisitor)

Apply online via the Department of Home Affairs portal (ImmiAccount).

3

Gather Documents 

  • Valid passport
  • Proof of funds
  • Travel plans/itinerary, employment letter, or invitation from family/friends (where relevant)
  • Evidence of ties to home country (job, study, property, family)


4

Submit the Application & Pay the Fee

Submit forms, upload documents and pay the visa charge (eVisitor is free; others have a fee).​​

5

Biometrics, Health & Additional Information

Some applicants must provide biometrics and medicals; you might also receive requests for more documents.

6

Wait for a Decision & Check Conditions

Processing times can vary and may be several months for some nationalities, especially where biometrics or health checks are involved.

Once granted, check your visa conditions (length of stay, single vs multiple entry, no further stay, work restrictions, etc.).  

Visa4you can guide you through each step, so your Visitor Visa Australia application is clear, consistent and complete.

Visitor Visa Processing Times – What to Expect 


Official guidance notes that Visitor Visa 600 processing times vary depending on stream, country and whether extra checks are needed.


Recent travel coverage also reports that, for some applicants (especially in high-volume countries), tourist visa processing can stretch to several months or more, so applying well in advance is important.


Visa4you can’t speed up processing, but we can help you avoid preventable delays like missing documents or unclear explanations.  

Why Choose Visa4you for Your Visitor Visa Australia Application?


  • Australia focus – We specialise in these destinations and monitor changes to visitor visa rules and processing times.
  • Help choosing the right pathway – We explain whether 600, 651 or 601 is best for your passport and plans.
  • Clear document guidance – We help you show you’re a genuine visitor with strong ties home.
  • Support for families and groups – Applications for couples, families and multi-country trips.
  • Multilingual service – Advice in English, German and Dutch, online or at our offices.

Frequently Asked Questions

​

On a Visitor Visa 600, stays are typically 3, 6 or 12 months, depending on your grant. On eVisitor 651 and ETA 601, you can usually stay up to 3 months per visit within a 12-month validity period. 

Some travellers need a visa even for transit; others may qualify for specific transit visa arrangements. Requirements depend on your passport and transit time. It’s important to check the latest transit visa rules before booking flights.

No. Visitor visas (600, 651, 601) do not allow you to work in the Australian labour market. You can usually attend business meetings or conferences, but not take up paid employment. 

Visitor Visa holders can often undertake short courses (commonly up to 3 months). For longer study, a Student Visa (subclass 500) is usually required.  

Because processing times for some Visitor Visas can be several months, especially where biometrics or health checks are required, travellers are generally advised to apply well in advance of their intended trip (often at least 3–6 months where possible).

Ready to Plan Your Visit to Australia?

   If you’re organising a holiday, family reunion or short business trip, getting your Visitor Visa Australia right is the first step.


Tell us your passport country, travel dates and the purpose of your visit. We’ll help you choose the right visa (600, 651 or 601), understand the documents you need, and submit a clear, well-prepared application. 


Book a Consultation

Start Your Visitor Visa Assessment