Can I Obtain a Visitor (SC600) Visa with a 12 Month Stay Period?

Is it possible for an individual to obtain a Visitor (Subclass 600) Visa for an extended stay period of up to 12 months rather than the usual 3-month stay per entry? The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) allows individuals to visit Australia for tourism, visiting family, or for certain short-term business activities. It is a temporary visa; the length of stay granted (3, 6 or 12 months) is at the discretion of the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA).

What Are the Circumstances That May Lead to a Longer Stay Period?

A continuous 12-month stay period is generally reserved for specific circumstances, where they must meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criteria and will be subject to a critical assessment. Below are the specific circumstances where a longer stay may be considered:

Parents of Australian citizens or Permanent Residents (PR) intending to visit family, especially those in the parent visa queue, particularly if they are considered low risk and have a strong visa compliance history.
Applicants with an Australian family or a partner, especially those who are at low risk of working or breaching visa conditions, including those who have lodged an offshore Partner Visa (Subclass 309/100) application.
Frequent business travellers, such as board members or directors, may be considered.
In exceptional circumstances, sponsored family applicants who are needed to care for a critically ill relative may have their requests considered.

What Happens if You Exceed the 12 Consecutive Months?

If your cumulative stay period might exceed 12 consecutive months, you must have an “exceptional circumstance”. This may include:

A significant and unanticipated change in personal or family circumstances beyond your control, such as a natural disaster.
A critical need to support a critically ill, seriously injured, or recently deceased close family member in Australia.
If your visa has been refused, you may have the right to appeal the visa decision to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) within a limited period of time. Speak with an immigration lawyer about your next steps.

Read our clients’ testimonials on Agape Henry Crux and Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law, Jason Ling.

How Can Agape Henry Crux Help

For those who wish to extend their stay on a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600), consider seeking professional services to assess their circumstances and obtain tailored advice. Consult with an experienced immigration lawyer at Agape Henry Crux to guide you through the application process tailored to your circumstances. Our team of immigration lawyers work closely with two of our Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law, specialising in highly complex matters. You can schedule an appointment to seek professional legal advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.

We speak fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.

This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.

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Visitor Visa (SC600) Grants and Overcoming GTE Criteria