There is actually no limit to the number of times you can be granted a visitor visa, but this requires somewhat of an explanation. A visitor visa is for people that want to visit Australia for a temporary visit only. Most people generally apply for a visitor visa under the tourist or sponsored family visitor streams. These streams are for people that want to visit Australia for tourism or other activities such as:
- holidays or sightseeing
- social or recreational reasons
- visiting relatives or friends
- studying for less than three months
- other short-term, non-work purposes.
What is a genuine visitor?
A genuine visitor is someone that will not work illegally in Australia, not engage in studies or training for more than 3 months, and they will have, or access to, adequate means to support themselves during their visit to Australia. A genuine visitor is also someone that will depart Australia on or before their visitor visa ends unless they apply for another visa prior to their current visa expiring.
Can I study in Australia on a visitor visa?
Yes. As long as your study does not exceed 3 months. If you intend to study for more than 3 months you will need to apply for, and be granted a student visa.
How many times can I be granted a visitor visa?
As we have previously stated there is no limit to the number of times you can be granted a visitor visa. However, the frequency and duration of your previous visits to Australia may lead to a determination that you are not intending to use a visitor visa for tourism or the purposes for which that visa is supposed for.
A visitor visa is not intended to allow people to remain in Australia on an ongoing basis. When the Department assesses a visitor visa application, they will need to consider whether an applicant is attempting to use a visitor visa to effectively live in Australia. Of importance to the Department will be how often an applicant has previously visited Australia or the length of each previous stay in Australia.
At Thai Visa Express we have seen instances where applicants with a solid history of previous Australian visa compliance have been refused a visitor visa because the Department has taken the view that they are attempting to maintain a residence in Australia through the use of multiple visitor visas, which is not want a visitor visa is intended for.
The length of each visit to Australia that a person has previously made and the time spent outside of Australia in between each visit will be taken into consideration. A visitor is generally expected to spend as much time outside of Australia as in. However, it is also important to note that this is a policy only. There is no requirement under the Migration Act and Regulations that states how long a person must remain outside of Australia in between visits, and as such, every visitor visa application must be assessed on its own merits.