Visiting Australia as a Tourist

If you are looking at visiting Australia as a tourist ether because you want to have a holiday, for sightseeing, social and recreational activities, visit relatives and friend for short term and non-work related purposes, this post for for you.

As a tourist you have several visa options, which are as follows:

1. ETA (Visitor) (subclass 976)

This Visa is an electronically stored authority for people who intend to visit the country, short term (maximum of 3 months). This is available to passport holders from a number of countries or regions.

To be eligible you must have an ETA eligible passport and be outside Australia.

2. Tourist Visa (Subclass 676)

Is a Temporary visa normally granted for those who wise to stay in Australia for 3 to 6 months. Depending on the circumstances, a 12 months stay may be granted.

This is designed for people who want to go to Australia to visit friends and/or Family, or study for up to three months. This visa may also be used for short-term non work related activities including study for less than 3 months.

You may apply for this if you are:

• outside of Australia and want to apply for a visa to visit Australia
• in Australia and want to extend your stay as a visitor

To be Eligible you must meet certain requirements:

Must have a genuine intention to visit Australia as a tourist, for recreation or to visit your family and/or friends

Must meet health requirements

- it is recommended that you secure health insurance to visit Australia

Character requirements

-you may be asked to provide police certificates for each country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the last ten (10) years since turning 16, you do not need to provide this information upon application, you will be advised if this is required

Financial requirements

-To apply you should show that you have sufficient funding to cover all the cost that you will incur for the duration of your stay in Australia, including health insurance if required.

As evidence you will be asked to provide proof. Examples are Banks statements, pay slips, audited accounts, taxation records, credit card limit, others.

3. Sponsored Family Visitors Visa (Subclass 679)

This is for people aiming to visit family members in Australia. As a requirement a formal sponsorship by an Australian Citizen or permanent resident is require.

An applicant must have an eligible relative or a government official willing to sponsor them.

This Visa application will be lodged in Australia by the sponsoring family Member. It is also the sponsors responsibility to pay the fees for the application.

To be a sponsor you must be:

• an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• aged 18 years or over
• settled in Australia.

You must also be one of the following:

• a relative (parent, child, adopted child, spouse, brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle niece, nephew, or 'step' equivalent of any of these)
• a member of an Australian parliament (Commonwealth, State or Territory)
• an authorised person representing a Commonwealth, State or Territory department or instrumentality
• a local government mayor.

Security Bond

The visa processing officer decides, on a case by case basis, whether to request a security bond. This bond is an added assurance that the visa holder will depart Australia and is normally requested where there are some concerns that an applicant may not comply with their visa conditions.

The amount of the security bond is determined on a case by case basis and usually ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 per person. However, any amount may be requested.

If a security bond is required, a letter outlining the process for lodging the bond will be sent to the sponsor. It must be paid in full in Australia before a final decision can be made on the application.

Refunds are arranged once the visitor has left Australia having complied with all visa conditions. Information on refunds is provided at the time the bond is requested.

If you want help to assessing what kind of application you will send in visiting Australia as a Tourist as well as help in guiding you through the application process, I can offer my services.