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Planning a trip to Australia promises an adventure filled with incredible landscapes and vibrant cities. And to ensure the journey begins smoothly, the most important step is obtaining the proper tourist visa.
That said, having the correct paperwork in order is the key to unlocking a seamless and stress-free travel experience.
We’ll explain everything below.
What is the Right Visa For a Holiday?
Australia’s visa system offers several choices for visitors.
That said, for a standard vacation, or for visiting friends or family, the appropriate choice is typically the Visitor Visa (subclass 600). This one is electronic, meaning nothing is stamped. However, the key step is selecting the correct ‘stream‘ under this very visa. There‘re four of them:
- Tourist Stream (Apply outside Australia). The primary option for most tourists applying from overseas.
- Tourist Stream (Apply in Australia). Suitable for individuals that are already staying in the country (on a different visa), and for those who wish to extend their stay.
- Sponsored Family Stream. This applies to visitors who have a close relative that‘s an Australian citizen or permanent resident, willing to provide sponsorship for the trip.
- Business Visitor Stream. This stream is made for business activities (meetings or conferences). Yet, it‘s important to note that a standard tourist visa doesn‘t permit getting a job – those aiming to work and live in Australia would need to explore ‘skilled migration‘ options instead, such as those detailed there: https://sydneyvisas.com/visa/skilled-migration-visas/.
For a classic holiday, the Tourist Stream (which‘s applied outside of Australia) is the best pick.
How Long Can a Visitor Stay
An immigration officer decides the exact length of stay. He does so on a case-by-case basis.
The decision rests upon applicants travel plans, financial capacity, and ties to the home country. For a standard vacation, a stay of up to three months is most commonly approved. Nevertheless, applicants visiting family may have a better chance of obtaining a longer permission, – such as for up to a year.
Note that if you are coming for study, your stay will be determined by the course, and you‘ll need to apply for an Australian student visa.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Applying via ImmiAccount
The entire visa application process is completed online through the Australian Department of Home Affairs portal, called ImmiAccount:
- Signing up. On the homepage, applicants should click ‘Create ImmiAccount.‘ Then, one must fill name, an email address, a mobile number, and create a strong password.
- Starting an application. After logging in, the applicant selects ‘New Application,‘ finds the Visitor Visa category, and chooses ‘Visitor Visa (600).‘ It‘s important to note that each child traveling, even if listed in a parent‘s passport, requires a separate application, – within the same account.
- Filling out the form itself. Applicants must be prepared to provide detailed information, including travel plans, passport info, family, and work & financial details.
If needed, applicants may save the progress and return to the application later. And while it‘s possible to submit the form without immediately uploading documents, it‘s till highly recommended to have all files ready and upload them at once.
Preparing the Documents
A full checklist is available on the Department‘s website. Overall, the documents are categorized as mandatory ones (for example, passport, photo) and recommended ones (for example, any evidence proving the intention to return home).
Important thing to note: Any document not in English requires a translation. Without it, processing can be delayed. Or even disregarded.
Clear scans, accurate translations, and a complete submission make the case officer‘s task way easier and demonstrate respect for the process, which can positively influence the outcome.
Source: https://sydneyvisas.com/
