Subclass 600 — Visitor visa
Statutory definition
Subclass 600 is prescribed in Schedule 2 of the Migration Regulations 1994. The visa has four streams: Tourist (for tourism or visiting family); Business Visitor (for short-term business activities); Sponsored Family (for applicants sponsored by an approved Australian citizen or PR); and Approved Destination Status (for Chinese tour groups). The duration is typically 3 or 6 months, with some applicants granted multiple-entry visas valid for up to 12 months.
Explanation
The Subclass 600 is the most commonly applied for visitor visa. The key criterion is that the applicant has genuine intention to visit temporarily and does not intend to remain permanently — the Genuine Temporary Entrant test. A condition 8503 (no further stay) is commonly imposed on Subclass 600 visas granted offshore, which prevents the holder from applying for most other visas while in Australia. Applicants who receive a Subclass 600 with condition 8503 and wish to extend their stay or change status must apply for a waiver of the condition or depart.