Visa Information

Understanding Australian Visitor Visas and Stay Conditions

Information Disclaimer

This information is provided for general guidance only. For official and up-to-date visa information, always refer to the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.

Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)

Overview

The Visitor visa (subclass 600) allows you to visit Australia for tourism, business visitor activities, or to see family and friends. It's suitable for people traveling to Australia for a temporary stay.

Typical Visa Length

3, 6, or 12 months

Common Streams

Tourist, Business Visitor, Family Sponsored

Entry Type

Single or multiple entries

Key Restriction

Cannot work in Australia

Common Activities Allowed

  • Tourism and recreational activities
  • Visiting family and friends
  • Business visitor activities (meetings, negotiations, etc.)
  • Short-term study (up to 3 months in some cases)
  • Attending conferences or trade fairs

Not Permitted

  • Working for or providing services to a business in Australia
  • Selling goods or services to the Australian public
  • Staying longer than your visa permits
  • Engaging in activities not consistent with a visitor's status

Condition 8558: Maximum Period of Stay

What is Condition 8558?

Condition 8558 is commonly applied to Visitor visas (including subclass 600) and limits the maximum consecutive time you can stay in Australia.

Key Points About Condition 8558

  • Maximum Stay Period: Typically restricts you from staying in Australia for more than a specified period (often 3, 6, or 12 months) during any visit.
  • Multiple Entries: If you have a multiple-entry visa, this condition applies to each separate stay, not the total visa validity period.
  • Consecutive Time Limit: Limits how long you can remain in Australia in a single visit, even if your visa is valid for a longer period.
  • No Extension: Generally, you cannot extend your stay beyond this limit without applying for a different visa.

Example Scenarios

Scenario 1: 3-Month Stay Limit

Your visa has condition 8558 with a 3-month limit. If you enter Australia on January 1, you must leave on or before April 1, even if your visa is valid for a year.

Scenario 2: Multiple Entries

You have a 12-month multiple-entry visa with condition 8558 limiting each stay to 3 months. You could visit Australia multiple times throughout the year, but each individual stay cannot exceed 3 consecutive months.

How Our Calculator Helps

Our Visa Stay Calculator helps you understand and plan your stays in accordance with condition 8558 by:

Stay Duration Tracking

Tracking how long you've stayed and when you need to leave Australia to comply with your visa conditions.

Remaining Days Calculation

Calculating how many days you can still stay in Australia based on your entry date and condition 8558 limit.

Future Trip Planning

Helping you plan future trips to ensure you don't violate the consecutive stay limitation on your visa.

Compliance Alerts

Providing alerts when you're approaching your maximum permitted stay duration under condition 8558.

Official Resources

For official and up-to-date information about the Visitor visa (subclass 600) and condition 8558, please refer to these authoritative sources:

Importance of Compliance

Violating visa conditions, including condition 8558, may result in serious consequences such as visa cancellation, difficulty obtaining future visas, or being denied entry to Australia. Our calculator is designed to help you understand these requirements, but the responsibility for compliance ultimately rests with you as the visa holder.

For personalized advice about your specific situation, please consult with a registered migration agent.