How Long Does It Take To Process Australian Tourist Visa?
It is a good thing that you have decided to travel to Australia. It’s a country and a continent with many activities to take part in and have fun with your friends and family. But you need to do a lot of paperwork and have it approved before visiting the Down Under.
Getting an Australian tourist visa is one of the main things you need to clear. Having a clear idea of the standard Australian tourist visa processing time can help you make your trip smoother and hassle-free.
You can apply for multiple tourist visa types, and each has its own purpose and processing time. We will review each of them and help you determine which one you need and what you need to do to get them.
Understanding Australian Tourist Visa Processing Time
Knowing how long it takes to process an Australian tourist visa isn’t enough to help you. You also need to understand the importance of the different tourist visas and their processing time.
As you learn, there are different types of Australian tourist visas, each with multiple types. These visas serve different purposes to different people at different times.
So, let’s properly understand the importance of Australian tourist visa processing time.
Avoiding Last-Minute Stress
Imagine planning the perfect Australian trip, forgetting about visa processing time. Last-minute stress can ensue. Knowing the processing time allows you to prepare and ensure your travel documents are ready on time.
Making Informed Travel Plans
Knowing how long it takes to get your visa helps plan your trip and avoid disappointment, ensuring you choose the best time to visit.
Preventing Travel Hiccups
Understanding visa processing time prevents travel hiccups, allowing you to book flights and accommodation confidently.
Planning for Contingencies
Knowing the processing time lets you plan for uncertainties and adjust your travel dates if visa approval delays occur.
Ensuring a Stress-Free Experience
Awareness of processing time ensures a stress-free experience, avoiding last-minute anxieties and letting you relax and feel confident in your well-planned travel schedule.
Australian Tourist Visa Categories Explained
There are two types of Australian visas that tourists from Bangladesh and other countries can apply for Subclass 600 & 651.
Here is a brief overview of both of them:
Subclass 600
The Subclass 600 is a type of Australian tourist visa. It’s designed for people who want to visit Australia for tourism, family visits, or business purposes. This tourist visa lets you stay in Australia for a specific period, and adhering to the visa conditions is crucial.
e-visitor (Subclass 651)
The e-Visitor visa, or Subclass 651, is another category for tourists visiting Australia. It’s an electronically stored authorization for short stays, typically for tourism or business activities.
Like the Subclass 600, following the visa conditions and respecting the permitted stay duration is essential. Checking and understanding these conditions ensures a smooth and enjoyable visit to Australia.
Australian Tourist Visa Processing Time: Subclass 600
Tourist Stream (Onshore)
This visa is perfect if you’re already in Australia. The tourist stream visa lets you explore the country for up to 12 months. You can visit family and friends or just enjoy a holiday—everything except medical treatment or business.
The cost starts at AUD 365, and to be eligible, you need to meet health and character requirements, clear any debts to the Australian government, have enough funds for your trip, and be a genuine visitor. Also, you must follow all the visa conditions and ensure your visit won’t harm any dependent child under 18. The good news is that 90% of applications get processed in just 25 days!
With this tourist visa, you are allowed to stay in Australia for a year, visit family and friends, cruise, or have an amazing holiday. If you already have a visa about to expire and plan to stay longer, the tourist stream visa could be your best choice.
Tourist Stream (Offshore)
This tourist visa stream is for those applying from outside Australia, allowing them to visit for tourism, family visits, and even cruises. The visa is valid for up to 12 months, with a starting cost of AUD 145.
To be eligible, applicants must meet health and character requirements, clear any debts to the Australian government, have sufficient funds to support their tour, and possess health insurance. The processing time for 90% of applications is 25 days.
Individuals can stay in Australia for 3, 6, or 12 months with this visa. Eligible parents of Australian residents may even receive a longer visa validity. The visa allows for various activities, including visiting family and friends, going on a cruise, or enjoying a holiday.
Business Visitor Stream
If you have business-related purposes for visiting Australia, a valid business visitor stream visa is the way to go. This visa lets you stay for up to 3 months and costs AUD 145.
To be eligible, you must meet health and character requirements, clear any debts to the Australian government, have sufficient funds for the tour, be a genuine visitor, and adhere to all visa conditions. The processing time for 90% of applications is around 18 days.
With this visa, you can visit Australia for business reasons, but you’re not allowed to sell goods, work, or offer other services. You can enter Australia once or several times while the visa is valid, but it’s important to be outside Australia when applying, as the government makes the visa decision.
Australian Tourist Visa Processing Time: Subclass 651
Predicting the exact processing time is challenging as it varies based on the visa application’s complexity. However, eVisitor 651 typically takes two days, with 90% of applications processed within this timeframe.
Conclusion
Australian tourist visa processing time can differ greatly depending on the tourist visa you are applying for. Each type of tourist visa will require different documents and items since they serve different purposes.
So, it would be best to determine which tourist visa type you will apply for. Thus, give yourself appropriate time to process it without any issues. We hope your trip to the Land Down Under is enjoyable.
Further Reading: Visa Fraud and Scams: How to Protect Yourself
FAQs
What is the average Australian Tourist Visa processing time?
The average processing time varies but typically ranges from a few weeks to a few months.
Can I travel while my visa is being processed?
It’s generally advised to wait until your visa is approved before making travel arrangements.
Are there any exceptions for urgent travel plans?
Expedited processing options are available for those with urgent travel needs.
What documents are commonly overlooked, causing delays?
Commonly overlooked documents include proof of financial capacity and health insurance.
How can I avoid common mistakes during the application process?
Double-check all details, submit complete documentation, and seek professional advice if unsure.
