Australian tourist visa is for tourism purposes and to visit family and friends. This visa does not permit you to work. The tourist visa is given up to a year and can cost around AUD 195.00. Those who want to explore the country can apply for this visa. However, you must know about the application process, documentation requirements, eligibility requirements, processing time and other details. This blog covers everything you need to know about Australian tourist visas.
This Blog Includes:
- What is an Australia Tourist Visa?
- Conditions of an Australia Tourist Visa
- Australia Tourist Visa Eligibility
- Documentation Requirements for an Australian Tourist Visa
- How to Apply for an Australian Tourist Visa?
- What is the Australian tourist visa fee?
- Australia Tourist Visa Processing Time
- Things to Keep in Mind After You Have Obtained the Australia Tourist Visa
- How Much Money Do You Need for an Australian Visa?
- FAQs
What is an Australia Tourist Visa?
An Australian tourist visa is a visa that permits you to visit the country legally. The visa is given for up to a year and is given for the following reasons:
- Visit Australia as a tourist
- Visiting family and friends in Australia
- Visit Australia on a cruise
However, you cannot get this visa for business or medical treatment. You can get this visa for short-term (up to 3 months) study as well
Learn about Australian student visa process in detail
Conditions of an Australia Tourist Visa
The following are the conditions for an Australian tourist visa. You must agree to follow these conditions to obtain the visa.
- You must not work in Australia
- You will undertake studies only for less than 3 months
- You have adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay
- Moreover, as a non-resident, you cannot stay for longer than 12 months in any 18 months
- Leave Australia before your visa expires
Australia Tourist Visa Eligibility
The following are the eligibility requirements for an Australian tourist visa:
- You must apply for the visa solely for visitation purposes
- You must not work in Australia for the duration of your stay
- Moreover, you must have sufficient finances to cover your expenses
- Must be living outside Australia at the time of application
Documentation Requirements for an Australian Tourist Visa
The following are the documents required to apply for a tourist visa
- Filled in visa application form (Form 1419) for a visitor visa (tourist visa stream)
- Fill in the application form (Form 956) in case you have authorised another person to receive all the communication about the application.
- Must have a valid passport, two recent passport photographs
- Provide an invitation letter from your Australian inviter (in case you are visiting family or friends). You must also provide proof of your relationship with the inviter
- Those visiting Australia for tourism purposes must provide the details of their travel itinerary
- Proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your travel expenses
- Also, you need to prove that you have reasons to return home. For example, provide a letter from the employer that confirms your return back to your job, proof that you studied in a college/school in the home country, and proof that you own a house or other assets in the home country.
- You also need to provide military service record/discharge papers (if applicable)
- If you want to stay for a longer period you must provide additional documents. For example, proving that your child is an Australian permanent resident or citizen
- Applicants under the age of 18 need to provide additional documents as well. For example, they need to fill out Form 1229 – Consent form (to be filled by your parent or guardian), a statutory declaration that they are giving consent for your visa. Moreover, you must submit a passport or diver’s license of the person who has completed the declaration
- If you are under 18, you also need to provide a copy of your birth certificate that showcases the name of your parents. You must also fill in a consent form (Form 1257) if you are going to stay with someone other than a relative or legal guardian. This must be filled by the person you are going to stay with.
- You must also translate any documents that are not in English to English
- Provide additional documents, if requested.
How to Apply for an Australian Tourist Visa?
You can apply for an Australian tourist visa online. The steps for the same are as follows:
- First, gather the required documents
- Next, create an ImmiAccount or log in to the same
- Attach the necessary documents
- Pay the Australian tourist visa application fee of AUD195.00.
- The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs will let you know when they have received your application including the documents
- At this stage, the visa application would be processed
- You will be informed of your application result in writing
- If the visa application has been rejected, the reasons for the same would be provided.
To learn about Australian tourist visa application process watch the video below:
What is the Australian tourist visa fee?
The Australian tourist visa fees are provided below: You must pay the visa fee, and print the fee receipt.
Visa | Fees |
Visitor visa (subclass 600)-Tourist stream | From AUD195.00 |
Australia Tourist Visa Processing Time
The Australia tourist visa processing times are as follows: The information provided below is as of July 29th, 2024
Visa | 50% of the visas are processed in | 90% of the visas are processed in |
Visitor visa (subclass 600)Tourist | 10 days | 30 days |
Things to Keep in Mind After You Have Obtained the Australia Tourist Visa
You must keep the following things in mind after you have obtained the Australian tourist visa:
- Ensure that you have travel documents your visa, and a valid passport before you travel
- At the border, you will have to complete an Incoming Passenger Card.
- You can use the SmartGate (a facial recognition technology at the airport)
- Ensure that you are following all the Australian rules and are meeting the visa conditions
- In case your relationship status changes, or your phone number, email address, or passport changes you must inform the Australian government of the same.
- Know that you cannot stay longer than the given period. To stay for a longer duration, you need to apply for a new visa
- Complete the Request for International Movement Records form after leaving Australia. Also, ensure that you are using the departures SmartGate.
Learn about Australian work visa requirements
How Much Money Do You Need for an Australian Visa?
The amount of money you need in your bank account for an Australian visa depends on the visa you are applying for. It also depends on your duration of stay. For the visit visa, no specific amount of money has been provided. What you need to ensure is that you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses, and tuition fees (if applicable) for the course duration. You need to provide proof of the same:
- Personal bank statements of the last 3 months
- Pay slips
- Tax records
- Audited accounts
- Term Deposits
- Credit card statements
FAQs
You can get an Australia tourist visa as long as your intention to travel is tourism, or to visit family or friends in Australia. You can also get a visa for studies (less than 3 months). However, to obtain the visa you need to meet the eligibility criteria, and the documentation requirements.
The Australian tourist visa application approval rate is 85.8%. This means that as long as you meet the eligibility criteria, and submit the relevant documents you will obtain the visa. Hence, the visa process can be said to be easy.
Yes. You are required to submit your previous bank statements. Therefore, the visa officers would check these statements to ensure that you have sufficient funds to cover your travel expenses, and living expenses.
We hope you now understand what the Australia Tourist Visa is. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!
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