Australia has a lot to explore apart from lazing on the white sandy beaches and enjoying a relaxing holiday in the middle of Great Barrier Reef.
The country offers many interesting sites to visit such as the Opera House and Darling Harbor with Marine Aquarium. Visiting the downtown tower (Sydney Tower) will provide a complete view of the city from the top. Also, the Blue Mountains will provide a beautiful panorama of Sydney. Australia Tourist Visa (Australia Visitor Visa) allows you to either sight see all these popular destinations of Australia or to meet your friends and family.
A tourist visa is granted only if you have a genuine intention to visit Australia as a tourist for recreation or to visit your family and friends. This kind of visa will generally cancel or cease any other visa held and come into effect as soon it is granted.
You should contact your nearest visa office before applying for a Tourist visa application if you have questions about how a Tourist visa would affect your existing visa.
Categories of Australian Visas
The Australian tourist Visa has been divided four categories:
- ETA visitor visa (subclass 976)
- eVisitors (subclass 651)
- Tourist Visa (subclass 676)
- Sponsored Family Visa (Subclass 679)
ETA visitor visa (subclass 976)Â
This visa is for applicants who are outside Australia and want to visit Australia for recreation, spending holidays and pursuing informal studies. This visa is valid for twelve months or three months from the date of visit.
E Visitors Visa (Subclass 651)
This visa is for those applicants who come for the purpose of attending conferences and business meetings along with recreation and visiting friends and family. This visa is valid for a period of twelve months.
Medical Treatment Long Stay (Subclass 685)
This visa is for those individuals who want to visit Australia for getting medical treatment or medical consultations.
Tourist Visa (Subclass 676)
This visa is for applicants who want to visit Australia for tourism, holiday or to visit family members or friends but also want to study for a period of three months, six months or twelve months.
Sponsored Family Visitor Visa (Subclass 679)
This visa is for those individuals who want to visit Australia to meet their friends and family. The individual must have a relative or an Australian employer sponsoring them. This visa allows you to stay in Australia for a period of three, six or twelve months only if you are living outside Australia.
Eligibility:
In order to apply for the Australia Tourist Visa, the following eligibility criteria should be met:
- Applicants should provide evidence to prove that they possess sufficient funds to support themselves and their family for the entire period of their visit.
- Applicants should not seek or undertake a job in Australia.
- Applicants should not have any criminal record and intend to abide by the laws of Australia.
Benefits of the Australian Tourist Visa
The Australian Tourist Visa allows you to travel throughout Australia and to visit your friends and family. Visitors can also register for short courses related to areas of general interest. Visitors can also meet with prospective employers or recruiters to seek employment opportunities for their future trips.