How to Extend Your Australian Visitor Visa?

Visiting Australia is a dream come true for most people. And, once you’re there, you might never feel like leaving and may want to extend your stay. If you are in the same situation and want to stay longer, either to deal with an unexpected event or to explore the country more, this article will undoubtedly help guide you in the right direction. Follow this step-by-step guide to extend your current visitor visa or apply for a new one while in Australia. But, honestly, is it even possible to extend a visitor visa?

Can You Extend Your Visitor Visa In Australia?

Technically, no. You cannot just extend your Australian visa. But there is an option to extend the stay by applying for a new one. You are eligible to apply for a new visitor visa in Australia as long as you currently hold a valid and active visa. Thus, it should not have already expired. Plus, the current visa shouldn’t have a “No Further Stay” condition (such as 8503, 8534, or 8535). If it does, you can apply while outside Australia or have some strong reasons that are convincing enough for a waiver.

Here are the basic eligibility requirements for a visitor visa extension:

• Your visitor visa is still valid.
• Your intent for extending your stay is actually genuine.
• You have not violated any visa conditions during your stay, such as engaging in illegal work or breaking travel restrictions.
• You have enough money to cover your expenses without having to work.
• If requested, you will have to undergo a health and character examination.

Options To Extend Your Stay On A Visitor Visa In Australia

The first and most practical option is to apply for an Australia Visitor Visa Subclass 600 again, if you are eligible. The Subclass 600 Visitor Visa, also referred to as a transitory visa, allows visitors to stay in Australia for up to a year. This visa allows travellers to travel within the country or spend time with family. However, it is important to note that the Subclass 600 Visitor Visa restricts business activity to the Business Visitor stream and does not include Medicare coverage. The following are the streams that fall under this subclass 600:

• Visa Stream for Visitors: It enables visitors to travel to Australia for sightseeing or to visit their loved ones.
• Visa Stream for Sponsored Family Visitors: This allows visitors to visit family in Australia with the sponsorship of a permanent Australian citizen.
• Business Traveller Visa Stream: This permits people to come to Australia for three months in order to attend conferences, meetings, or other events. But they can’t work or sell goods/services.

Thus, for an eligible applicant, they just need to file a “New Visa Application”. Additionally, to be granted a visa with the “No Further Stay” condition, the applicant must submit a thorough application citing compelling circumstances for extension.

Steps to Extend Visitor Visa in Australia

Follow the following process to extend your subclass 600 application:

1. Check Your Visitor Visa Conditions

Although we have provided the basic eligibility criteria, for deeper insight, visit the Department of Home Affairs’ website and log in to ImmiAccount. Check the terms of the new visitor visa now to see if you truly meet the requirements for eligibility.

2. Collect Required Documents For Extension

To extend the visa application, you need to have the following documents:

• A scanned copy of a valid passport that remains valid for the entire extension period.
• The present letter of visa grant.
• Bank statements, such as recent bank statements, payslips, etc., to prove your financial capacity.
• A legitimate proof of the health insurance coverage.
• A letter of invitation from family or friends (if visiting family).
• Supporting documents describing the reason for extended plans, such as a trip schedule or otherwise.

3. Apply for a New Visitor Visa

Once eligibility is confirmed and you have all the necessary documents, you can apply for a new Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) through your ImmiAccount. To do that, simply choose Visitor Visa as the visa type, fill out all the information, attach supporting documentation, and pay the application fee.

4. Wait for Visa Processing

Now, it’s time to wait for your visa to be processed. If your visa expires during this waiting period, you can obtain a Bridging Visa A (BVA) to stay in the country temporarily. The processing time for visas typically ranges from 20 to 45 days, but this can vary based on the type of visa you applied for, the complexity of your application, and other factors.

5. Receive Your Visa Decision

You will receive the outcome of your visa application via email. If approved, ensure you comply with the required terms of stay to prevent visa cancellation.

Conclusion

Australia warmly welcomes people from all around the world to visit the country and enjoy their stay. And for those who wish to stay longer, there are pathways to extend their visitor visa. However, many find the process overwhelming due to the required document collection and multiple steps involved. This is where Ozee Migration can help. As Adelaide’s leading migration agents, we provide expert guidance and personalised support to help you manage your visa extension application. Our team can assist you with drafting and submitting your visa application, ensuring that everything is handled correctly. Book your consultation today!

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