COVID-19 & Visitor Visa Extensions

Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) overview

This visa enables you to arrive in Australia to visit or for business visitor or medical treatment purposes for up to three, six or twelve months.

 

Applicants might be permitted to enter only once. If that is the case, you will need to apply for a new visa if you want to return to Australia again after you leave. You might be able to travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid, but the amount of time you spend in Australia cannot exceed the period of stay that is granted.

 

There are six different streams for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600):

  • Tourist Stream (Inside Australia)
  • Tourist Stream (Outside Australia)
  • Sponsored family stream
  • Business visitor stream
  • Approved Destination Status stream
  • Frequent traveller stream

 

Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) Requirements

You may be able to get this visa if you are travelling to Australia for:

  • Business visitor activities
  • Visiting family
  • As a visitor
  • On tour with a registered travel agent from the People’s Republic of China.

 

If you are in Australia, you can apply for the Tourist stream of the Visitor visa online provided you have a valid visa at present that does not have condition 8503 imposed. If you are outside Australia, only certain passport holders can apply for this visa online. If you are unable to apply online, you can lodge a paper application.

 

 

Cost

The base application charge for this visa ranges from AUD135 to AUD365.

If you hold a specific passport, you might be able to apply for a free or cheaper visa.

The eVisitor (subclass 651) visa is free. You must be a passport holder of a particular country.

The Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) visa has an AUD20 service charge. You must be a passport holder of a particular country.

 

 

How do I apply for a Visitor Visa Extension?

If you want to extend your stay in Australia more than your original visa allows you, you will need to apply for a further visa of the same kind or another visa.

 

The amount of time you are able to stay in Australia is at the discretion of the Department of Home Affairs and will depend on the visa that you have or the visa that you apply for.

 

 

What if I have an 8503 condition on my Visitor Visa?

An 8503 condition is usually imposed on visitor visas (from the family stream, approved destination stream and tourist stream), training and research visa and work and holiday visa. With the numbers of those affected by the novel Coronavirus rising, those who want to stay in Australia for a more extended period could request a waiver in the condition.

  

 

 

Requesting Waiver

Visa holders can request to waive the condition if a significant change has occurred in your situation while you are holding this visa however this change must be out of your control, and you are unable to prevent it or stop it. 

 

 

Examples may be that an individual is unable to travel due to medical reason or a natural disaster in the home country. It can take up to 28 days to receive an outcome from the waiver request as it is not automatic, further information may be requested, or you may even require to undergo a medical examination.

 

The decision to approve or refuse a waiver request is final; this decision will not be reviewed by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) or by another Department office. The minister does not have the power to intervene. 

 

If you apply for another visa, the other visa might also have a ‘No further stay’ condition. You would then have to apply for a waiver again. 

 

If your circumstances significantly change after you have has a waiver request refusal, you can lodge a second request. You must be able to explain how the new circumstances are substantially different from those considered in your previous waiver request.

 

If your visa expires before the Department of Home Affairs can resolve your request, you will become unlawful; this has serious consequences. It’s your duty to ensure you have a valid visa for the whole of your stay in Australia.

 

 

 

If the condition is waived:

If a ‘No Further Stay’ condition is waived, you are able to apply for another visa without having to leave Australia. However, there is no guarantee you will be granted another visa; this will depend on whether you meet the legal requirements. If another visa is granted to you that also might contain a ‘No Further Stay’ condition. 

 

 

If the condition is not waived:

You will not be able to apply for another substantive visa (expect a temporary visa of a particular kind) while you are in Australia. 

 

 

Are there any government fees associated with the Requesting Waivers?

No, there are no Government fee’s associated with requesting waivers. However, there may be fees associated with legal representation.

 

 

How can No Borders Migration help you with waiving your 8503 condition?

We highly recommend not waiting until the last minute to request a waiver on your visa as it can take up to 28 days to receive an outcome. If you are unsure if you would be eligible for a waiver or how to fill out your application correctly, speak to a migration agent as soon as you are aware that you will need to extend your time in Australia. If you require assistance with requesting a waiver on your current visa or would like help with applying for a new visa, contact us today for a free, no-obligation assessment with our legal team.

 

 

What if I have an 8531 condition on my visa?

This condition stipulates that you must leave before visa expiry: You must not remain in Australia after the end of the period of stay permitted by the visa. If this condition is set on your visa, you will not be able to waive the 8503 condition. To be able to apply for another visa, you must demonstrate your compliance with the visa conditions; if not, your visa can be cancelled and consequently being unable to extend your Visitor visa on-shore.

 

 

What if my current Visitor visa is expiring before the new Visitor visa is granted?

You will be granted a Bridging visa A (BVA) (Subclass 010). This visa allows you to stay lawfully in Australia until your substantive visa application is finally determined, or where granted in association with judicial review, until those proceedings are completed and work, if you meet the requirements for work

 

 

How can No Borders Migration help?

No Borders Migration highly recommend not waiting until the last minute to extend your Visitor visa as there may be certain conditions that can take up to 28 days to receive an outcome. If you are unsure if you would be eligible for extending your Visitor visa or how to fill out your application correctly, speak to a migration agent/ lawyer as soon as you are aware that you will need to extend your time in Australia. If you require assistance with requesting a waiver on your current visa or would like help with applying for a new visa, contact us today for a free, no-obligation assessment with our legal team.

 

Need help with your Visa?

Call    1300 066 267 to book a free consultation with No Borders Migration Agents

Book a free consultation today and let us help you find a way forward.