Visitor Visa / Short Stay Visas

Visitor visa program and business visitor activities

The visas are:

• Visitor Visa (subclass 600)
• Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
• eVisitor Visa (subclass 651).

All visitors to Australia must:

• Genuinely only intend to visit Australia temporarily;
• Not work unlawfully;
• Not engage in studies or training for more than 3 months;
• Have, or have access to, adequate means to support themselves during the period of the visit so that they do not need to access
• Australia’s social welfare system;
• Leave Australia on or before their visa ceases, unless they make a valid application to stay for a longer period to the benefit of Australia (for example, a subclass 482 visa for a highly skilled occupation);
• Not use visitor visas for temporary stay arrangements to circumvent migration laws;
• Meet Public Interest Criteria; and
• Meet Special Return Criteria.

Visitor visa (subclass 600)

The subclass 600 visa comprises five streams, two of which may be relevant:

• Tourist stream
  • The Tourist stream visa is for persons intending to visit Australia for the purpose of tourism or other recreational activities for a period of 3, 6 or 12 months
• Business Visitor stream
  • The Business Visitor stream visa allows business people to make a short business visit to Australia to engage in prescribed business visitor activities for a period of 3 months and if there is a strong business case, for up to 6 months.

Electronic travel authority visa (subclass 601)

Eligible passport holders who are outside of Australia may apply online or through an approved Electronic Travel Authority travel agent for a subclass 601 visa.

The subclass 601 visa allows the holder to visit Australia:

• For tourism or business purposes; and
• For up to 3 months at a time within the shorter of a 12 month
  period or the life of the holder’s passport.

eVISITOR visa (subclass 651)

The subclass 651 visa is for eligible passport holders from certain European countries who are outside of Australia and wish to visit Australia for tourism or business purposes for up to 3 months at a time within a 12 month period.

Business visitor activities

Business visitor activities include:

• Making a general business or employment enquiry
• Investigating, negotiating, entering into, or reviewing a business contract
• An activity carried out as part of an official government to government visit
• Participation in a conference, trade fair or seminar in Australia unless the person is being paid by an organiser for participation.

Both tourist stream and business visitor stream visitor visa holders are not permitted to engage in employment in Australia. Subclass 600, 601 or 651 visa conditions may include 8101 No Work or 8115 Business Visitor Activity.

Temporary Work (Short stay Specialist) (subclass 400) visa and the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) visa allow the visa holder to engage in employment in Australia.