Sponsored Family Visitor Visa

This visa allows people to travel to Australia to take a holiday or visit their family.

Eligibility

With this visa you can visit Australia once, usually to stay for a period of up to three (3) months or six (6) months, but in certain circumstances a stay of 12 months may be granted. While in Australia you can:

visit family and/or friends

engage in tourist activities

study for up to three (3) months.

Studying

If you are granted this visa, you can study for up to three months. If you want to study longer than three months you should apply for a student visa.

Working

You are not able to work in Australia. If you are coming to Australia to work, you should consider applying for a visa which allows you to work in Australia.

Security bond

The visa processing officer decides, on a case by case basis, whether to request a security bond. This bond is an added assurance that the visa holder will depart Australia and is normally requested where there are some concerns that an applicant may not comply with their visa conditions.

The amount of the security bond is determined on a case by case basis and usually ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 per person. However, any amount may be requested.

If a security bond is required, a letter outlining the process for lodging the bond will be sent to the sponsor. It must be paid in full in Australia before a final decision can be made on the application.

Refunds are arranged once the visitor has left Australia having complied with all visa conditions.

Financial requirements

You must have access to sufficient funds to cover all costs for the duration of your stay in Australia, including health insurance if required. You may be asked to provide evidence of your funds.

Examples: personal bank statements, pay slips, audited accounts, taxation records, credit card limit.

Health Insurance

Medical treatment in Australia can be very expensive. As a tourist, you are not covered by Australia's national health scheme, unless there is a reciprocal health care agreement between Australia and your country.

It is recommended that you take out health insurance for yourself and your family for the duration of your stay in Australia.

Health & Character

Australia has strict health and character requirements. The same has to be met before grant of visa. The applicants will be required to:

Undergo a medical examination and chest x-ray (if over 11 years of age), to be undertaken by one of a panel of doctors selected by the Australian authorities, and;

Obtain police certificates for all countries in which they have lived for more than 12 months in the 10 years leading up to the application.

Processing Time

The current processing time is several weeks from the start of the process.