How do we choose a visa for an overseas hire?

It depends on the work, duration, location, salary, occupation and long-term plan. The Subclass 482 may suit ongoing skilled employment, while the Subclass 400, 407, 408 or 403 may suit particular short-term activities. Regional roles may also involve the Subclass 494 or a DAMA pathway.

Does our business need sponsorship approval?

For the Subclass 482, a business generally needs approval as a Standard Business Sponsor or access to a labour agreement. Other visas use different sponsor, supporter, invitation or nomination arrangements. Confirm the requirements for the selected subclass before the application sequence begins.

Is labour market testing required?

It is required for many employer nominations, but exemptions and different rules can apply. The advertisements, dates, content and supporting records should satisfy the requirements in force when the nomination is lodged.

What salary must we pay a sponsored worker?

The salary must meet the rules for the relevant visa and nomination. For a Subclass 482 nomination, this generally includes the current indexed income threshold and the applicable market salary requirements. The higher practical requirement must be addressed using current figures at lodgement.

Can sponsorship costs be charged to the worker?

Prohibited sponsorship, nomination, recruitment and Skilling Australians Fund costs must not be transferred to or recovered from the worker. Other costs, including the visa application charge, require separate consideration and any arrangement must comply with migration and workplace law.

Do we need to act if a sponsored worker's job changes or ends?

Possibly. The business may need to notify Home Affairs, and the worker should check the conditions and time limits on the visa straight away. A different role, occupation, worksite or employer may also mean that another nomination or visa step is needed before the change takes effect.

Does a 482 visa always become a 186 visa?

No. Some Subclass 482 holders may later qualify for a Subclass 186 visa, but it is a separate application. The worker, employer and nomination must meet the Subclass 186 rules for the selected stream, including any qualifying sponsored employment requirement.

When should a business consider a DAMA?

A DAMA may be relevant where the business operates in a designated region and needs an occupation or concession available under that region's agreement. The employer still needs regional endorsement and the required labour agreement and nomination approvals.

Can a business visitor perform work in Australia?

No. Meetings, negotiations and unpaid conferences may be permitted, but working for an Australian business, supplying services to it or selling directly to the public is not. Check the correct work visa before travel if the planned duties go beyond a business visit.

Visitor and Tourist Visas Australia

Planning a holiday, family visit or short business trip

A week with family, a holiday and a business conference can all involve a short flight into Australia. They do not, however, lead to the same application. Your passport narrows the options first. Your reason for travelling, the time you want to spend here and your location when applying do the rest.

You may end up with a Visitor visa (Subclass 600), an Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601) or an eVisitor (Subclass 651). The names are easy to mix up. The application routes and permitted activities are not.

Kritin Global's registered migration agent can help identify the appropriate visitor pathway, prepare supporting documents and lodge an application where authorised.

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Australia's Main Visitor Visa Options

Visitor visa - Subclass 600

Subclass 600 is used for tourism, visiting family, permitted business visitor activities and certain specialised travel arrangements. It contains five streams, and the correct stream depends on the purpose of travel, the applicant's circumstances and where the application is made.

Electronic Travel Authority - Subclass 601

An ETA is not open to every passport. Where the passport qualifies, the Australian ETA app is used to apply. The app costs AUD 20 to use; there is no separate visa application charge. An ETA normally covers a 12-month period and can be used more than once, with no more than three months spent in Australia on any one visit.

eVisitor - Subclass 651

The eVisitor has its own eligible-passport list. Apply while outside Australia. If granted, it can cover several trips over 12 months, capped at three months per visit. The application itself has no charge.

At a Glance

Subclass 600 stay

Up to 12 months for the Tourist and Sponsored Family streams, depending on the stream and the individual visa grant. The Business Visitor stream is generally up to three months.

ETA and eVisitor stay

Up to three months on each visit during a 12-month period.

Work rights

A visitor cannot take a job or carry out work in Australia. Limited business visitor activities are different from producing work for an Australian business.

Study or training

Study or training for up to three months may be permitted, depending on the visa and its conditions. A Student visa may be more appropriate when study is the main purpose of travel.

Application location

ETA and eVisitor applicants must apply from outside Australia. Subclass 600 location requirements depend on the stream. The Tourist stream has separate onshore and offshore pathways.

Government charges

The eVisitor is free and the ETA app service charge is AUD 20. Subclass 600 charges vary. Confirm the current amount using the Department's Visa Pricing Estimator before applying.

Processing times

Processing varies by visa, stream and individual circumstances. Use the Department's current processing-time guide and do not book non-refundable travel on the assumption that a visa will be granted by a particular date.

The Five Subclass 600 Streams

Tourist stream

For holidays, cruises and visits to family or friends. It can also cover other genuine visitor purposes that are not business or medical treatment. Separate pathways apply to people applying from outside Australia and eligible applicants applying from within Australia. Offshore applicants must be outside Australia when they apply and when the Department decides the application. Onshore applicants must be in Australia at both stages.

Business Visitor stream

For permitted business visitor activities such as making general business or employment enquiries, negotiating contracts, or attending a conference or trade fair. It does not permit the holder to work for or provide services to an Australian business, or sell goods or services directly to the public. Applicants must be outside Australia when they apply and when the application is decided.

Frequent Traveller stream

Frequent travellers from a defined group of countries may be able to use this stream. The current list covers the People's Republic of China, Brunei, Cambodia, the Philippines, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste. A visa may run for as long as 10 years, but each trip is capped at three months. Biometrics form part of the application.

Approved Destination Status stream

For eligible citizens from certain areas of China travelling to Australia on an organised tour arranged through an approved travel agent. This is a specialised stream with group-travel requirements and is not a general alternative to the Tourist stream.

What Genuine Visitor Evidence Should Show

No two visitor applications are quite the same. A case should be easy to follow from the papers alone. They should show what the trip is for, where the money is coming from and what the visitor is returning to afterwards. Depending on the case, that may involve:

A clear travel purpose and proposed itinerary

Recent financial evidence showing how the visit will be funded

Employment, business, study, family or other commitments in the applicant's home country or usual country of residence

An invitation from family or friends, where relevant

Evidence from the person funding the trip, if someone else will pay the costs

Previous travel history and compliance with earlier visa conditions

Additional documents for applicants under 18

No single document guarantees approval. The documents should be consistent with each other and with the information entered in the application.

What to Gather Before You Apply

There is no universal bundle that works for everyone. Start with the items relevant to the chosen visa and the traveller's own situation:

Identity

A clear copy of the passport personal-details page and evidence of any name change.

Travel purpose

A short explanation of the visit, intended dates and itinerary where available.

Financial capacity

Recent bank statements and other relevant evidence showing sufficient funds for the trip.

Reasons to return

Employment and approved-leave evidence, enrolment evidence, family responsibilities or other genuine commitments.

Invitation and support

An invitation letter and evidence of the inviter's status and financial support where relevant.

Travel history

Set out earlier overseas trips and attach visa copies when the application asks for them.

Applicants under 18

Include the child's birth record and the relevant consent, guardian and accommodation papers.

Translations

Attach an English translation to each non-English document. In Australia, the translator should quote their NAATI practitioner number. Outside Australia, the translator should give their full name, address, telephone number and language qualifications.

Upload documents in the form requested by the Department. Do not send original documents unless the Department specifically asks for them.

How the Application Process Works

Step 1: Choose the correct visa and stream

Check the applicant's passport, travel purpose, intended stay and application location.

Step 2: Confirm the application method

Most Subclass 600 and eVisitor applications are lodged online through ImmiAccount. ETA applications are made through the Australian ETA app.

Step 3: Build the document set

Include what is relevant to this applicant and this stream, rather than relying on a generic bundle.

Step 4: Check, then lodge

Names, dates, travel history and funding details should agree across the form and attachments.

Step 5: Deal with follow-up requests

Biometrics, health examinations or more information may be requested after lodgement.

Step 6: Leave room for the decision

The published timeframes are indicative, not a promise. It is sensible to wait for a grant before paying for travel that cannot be changed or refunded.

Step 7: Read what was granted

The grant letter and VEVO show the approved stay and conditions. Check both before travelling.

Visitor Visa Updates Relevant in 2026

Lower Subclass 600 charge for eligible Pacific and Timor-Leste applicants

From 1 July 2026, a lower Subclass 600 visa application charge applies to eligible citizens of specified Pacific countries and Timor-Leste who lodge a valid application. Eligibility and the current charge should be checked using the Department's information and Visa Pricing Estimator.

Streamlined option for certain Papua New Guinean applicants

From 1 July 2026, certain eligible Papua New Guinean citizens can use a streamlined "Apply again" option in ImmiAccount for a Subclass 600 Tourist or Business Visitor stream application. It is limited to applicants with a history of immigration compliance who had a Subclass 600 application in one of those streams finalised within the previous five years.

Common Problems to Avoid

Selecting a visa or Subclass 600 stream that does not match the real purpose of travel

Treating permitted business visitor activities as permission to work in Australia

Giving vague travel plans or inconsistent dates

Providing insufficient evidence of funding or reasons to leave Australia after the visit

Omitting previous visa refusals, travel history or other information requested in the form

Uploading untranslated documents or incomplete translations

Assuming sponsorship, an invitation or a pending Parent visa guarantees a visitor visa

Assuming a previous visitor visa means a new application will be granted

Booking non-refundable travel before receiving a visa decision

How Kritin Global Can Assist

Choose the right pathway. Prepare the right evidence. Lodge with clarity.

Kritin Global's registered migration agent can assist with:

Confirm which visitor option fits the proposed trip

Set out a practical, case-specific document list

Review the travel, financial and invitation evidence as one complete story

Prepare and lodge the application through the correct channel

Deal with Department requests and keep the applicant updated

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Frequently Asked Questions

Subclass 600 deals with several kinds of visit, including tourism, seeing family and permitted business activities. The ETA and eVisitor are narrower because they are tied to particular passports. Each allows trips of up to three months, although the way you apply is different.

The correct stream depends on what you plan to do in Australia, together with your passport, application location and whether family sponsorship applies. Subclass 600 has Tourist, Business Visitor, Sponsored Family, Frequent Traveller and Approved Destination Status streams.

That depends on what is granted. Tourist and Sponsored Family visas can run for as long as 12 months, whereas a Business Visitor grant is generally for no more than three months. An ETA or eVisitor may cover a year of travel, but each individual visit is capped at three months.

No. Meetings, contract discussions and conferences may fall within permitted business visitor activities. Taking a job or producing work for an Australian organisation does not.

A visitor may be allowed to study or train for up to three months, subject to the conditions on the grant. If the course is the main reason for coming to Australia, look at the Student visa requirements instead.

For some people, yes. The Tourist stream has an onshore route, although a condition on the current visa may block another application. The ETA and eVisitor are offshore options only.

A visitor visa is not extended. A person may be able to apply for another visa before the current visa expires, but this depends on eligibility and any conditions on the current visa, including a No Further Stay condition.

No. A sponsor is required for the Sponsored Family stream but not for the Tourist or Business Visitor streams. The Department may request a security bond in a Sponsored Family case, but a bond is not required for every applicant.

Think of the application as one connected account of the trip. Travel plans, available funds, an invitation, earlier journeys and commitments outside Australia can all add context. The useful mix changes from person to person, and no one item secures approval.