Australia is a perfect destination for travelers from China looking for beautiful beaches and relaxing nature landscapes. But before packing your bag and departing from Beijing or Shanghai, ensure you have an Australia Visitor Visa to enter the country.
Luckily, you can count on our service for a smooth application to get an Australia Visitor Visa. The following information will explain the visa requirements, how to apply, and if an Australian Embassy appointment is necessary.
Check below everything you need to know to get your visa hassle-free.
Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Australia?
Yes, Chinese travelers need a visa to access Australian territory. If you’re visiting the country for tourism or business purposes, you can complete most application steps online.
If you’re traveling to work or to live permanently in Australia, you must apply for a visa through the Australian Embassy.
What should I apply for: The Australian Visitor Visa or the Australian eVisa?
The country offers three entry documents for tourism:
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Australian ETA: an Electronic Travel Authority available for a few countries and can be applied for 100% online. Unfortunately, Chinese travelers aren't eligible for the ETA at the moment.
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Australia eVisitor Visa: an electronic visa with fewer requirements than the Visitor Visa and with an online application process. This visa is also currently unavailable for Chinese passport holders.
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Australia Visitor Visa: The option available for most nationals. You submit the application form online, but the process entails an appointment at an Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) or an Australian Biometrical Collections Centre (ABCC). Sometimes, a phone call interview is required.
All three have different application processes and eligible countries. Only the Australia Visitor Visa is available for Chinese citizens, so this is the option you must apply for.
We are here to make your travel experience easier, and offer comprehensive support for your application for an Australia Visitor Visa. We will assist you throughout the entire process, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free application.
General rules for the Australia Visitor Visa
It’s essential to learn what you can and cannot do during your stay in Australia with this visa to avoid any problems. Pay attention to the allowed activities:
What you can do with an Australia Visitor Visa:
- Travel to Australia for tourism and to go on a cruise.
- Visit friends and family (if you’re sponsored by immediate family members that live in Australia).
- Do business activities like negotiating contracts or attending trade fairs or conferences.
- Study or do a short course for a maximum of three months in Australia.
What you cannot do as an Australia Visitor Visa holder
- Work or sell goods.
- Participate in a trade fair or conference if the organizer pays you.
- Study or do a course for longer than three months.
- Travel to Australia for health reasons, such as medical treatment.
How long is the Australian Visitor Visa valid for Chinese citizens?
It’s a Multiple entry visa, valid for 1 year after arrival. This means you can travel to Australia as often as you want during the validity period.
It allows you to stay in Australia for 3, 6, or 12 months each time. The Australian consular officers will decide your permitted stay according to your background.
Australia Visitor Visa requirements for Chinese visitors
All visa applications have requirements and it’s no different with the Visitor Visa. When applying for the Visitor Visa with us, you will receive a detailed manual guide and a complete list of all necessary documents according to your situation. Here are the general Australia Visitor Visa requirements for Chinese nationals:
- A copy of your current valid passport showing your photo, personal details, passport issue and expiration dates, and immigration stamps.
- A copy of your ID (if you have one).
- Applicant’s photo - Use our digital passport photo service if you don’t have one.
The Australian government may ask you for additional documents, such as:
- Proof of financial means to support your trip, such as bank statements or financial assets.
- Documents showing ties with your home country, like proof that you’re employed or studying.
- Travel itinerary or any evidence of planned tourism activities in Australia.
- Letters from your relative or friend in Australia inviting you to visit.
- A police certificate.
- Family register and composition form (if applicable).
When applying with us, we’ll send you the complete list of required documents for your application and ensure your form matches all your documents information. It’s important to know that if your documents are in a language different from English, you will need to translate them.
More about Australia Visitor Visa financial requirements
You must provide proof of financial support to show that you can support yourself during your stay in Australia and that you have ties to India that would motivate you to return after your trip.
You can provide the following documents to support your financial situation and ties to China:
- Three months of bank statements stamped by your bank
- Your pay slips or employment contract
- Tax records, income tax returns documents, or credit card statements
- Proof of owning a house or rental contract
- Proof that you are studying at a school, college, or university in India
- A letter from your employer
More about Australia Visitor Visa passport requirements
Ensure your passport meets the following criteria:
- Be valid for at least three months after your arrival in Australia.
- Be in good condition.
Australia Visitor Visa requirements for children in China
Chinese children also need a visa to travel to Australia. Minors' applications must include the following documents:
- Your birth certificate stating both parents' names or a family book with both parents' names.
- ID cards of both parents or Adoption papers with the ID of the guardians.
- If they're traveling alone or with only one parent, they must include the Form 1229 in the application, which consent to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years. This form must be completed and signed by the parents or legal guardians and be along with a copy of their driver's license or passport (or other identification with signature and photo).
- If they're traveling without a parent or guardian and not staying with a relative or organized tour, besides the form 1229, they must also include the Form 1257 - Undertaking Declaration. This form must be completed and signed by the person providing accommodation and responsible for you during your stay in Australia. The parents or legal guardians must nominate this person.
Australia Visitor Visa photo requirements
Ensure your photo for the Australian Visitor Visa application meets these requirements:
- The photo must be taken within the last six months and in color.
- The photo's background must be plain white or light-colored and free from shadows or reflections.
- You must face the camera directly with your head centered in the frame.
- Your facial expression must be neutral, with your eyes open and mouth closed.
- Head coverings aren’t allowed unless worn for medical or religious reasons.
- If you wear glasses, the lenses should be free from any reflections.
- The photo size should be 45mm high x 35mm wide (passport size).
Remember, you can get your photo 100% government-compliant and stress-free using our digital passport photo service.
Australia Visitor Visa application: How to apply in China
The Australia visa application is quick and easy. Applicants must follow these steps:
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Step 1: Fill out the simplified visa application form on our website or our app with your personal details.
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Step 2: Check if all your information is correct. If there is a mistake, the government may reject your visa process. Then, you must pay the visa fees.
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Step 3: Upload the necessary documents and click the ‘Submit’ button. Attend the biometric appointment at the Australian Visa Application Centre as instructed.
Then wait for the Australian government’s answer, receive your visa, and get ready to travel!
The appointment at the Australian Visa Application Centre
Generally, the Australia Visitor Visa application requires you to give your biometric information at an Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) or an Australian Biometrical Collections Centre (ABCC) and have a medical examination. Don’t worry! We’ll help you schedule the appointment and give you all the necessary instructions.
We’ll also send you an email with the documents you will need to bring. The documents must be placed in a manila or transparent plastic folder.
How to prepare for the Australian Visitor Visa interview in China
A visa interview is not mandatory, but sometimes the Australian government may require it. In this case, the authorities will call you unannounced, interviewing you by telephone. Usually, it’s a short 5-minute call just to check your travel purpose.
Otherwise, a formal interview could take place if the immigration officers have serious concerns about your situation. If that happens to you, don’t worry, we’ll provide a detailed manual guide with tips for the interview. However, here is some advice, helpful whether you have a phone call or an in-person interview.
- Have all your documents ready and organized in your folder.
- During the interview, be an active listener, and don’t give short answers. Use this opportunity to tell the authorities the context you could not write on the form and will convince the visa officer of your travel intentions.
- Be clear that you have enough reasons to return to your country so the visa officer will understand that you don’t have motives to stay permanently in Australia.
- You must provide evidence about your economic and family situation, like bank statements, salary, work, and employment documents. You can provide study documents if you are a student. You also need to give information about your family ties and properties.
Tips for a flawless Australia Visitor Visa application
Here are some extra tips to increase your chances of getting an approved visa to visit Australia:
- Apply early: It's recommended to apply for your Australia Visitor Visa at least two months before your travel date to ensure sufficient processing time.
- Check eligibility: Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements for the Visitor Visa (subclass 600), including having a valid passport, no criminal convictions, and sufficient funds for your stay.
- Complete the application accurately: All the information you provide on the application must be accurate and match the details on your passport. Any discrepancies could result in delays or a rejected application.
- Submit all required documents: Submit all the required documents, including a valid passport, photo, and any additional forms or information required for your specific situation.
- Include a cover letter: A well-written cover letter can help explain your purpose for visiting Australia and provide additional details that may not be clear from the application.
- Be honest: Ensure that all the information you provide is truthful and accurate, as providing false information can result in a rejected application and may affect your ability to apply for a visa in the future.
- Get professional assistance: Count on our iVisa experts to guide you throughout the visa process and review all the information for an error-free application.
Australia Visitor Visa fee: Cost of the visa for Chinese citizens
When applying with our guidance, this Australian visa for citizens of China costs USD $594.66. This is the total visa cost, including the government visa fee of US$101.
What is the Australian Visitor Visa processing time in 2023?
With our easy process, you’ll have two visa stages to consider. The first one, our application processing, entails completing the visa application, reviewing all the information, and scheduling the appointment to provide your biometric information at a VAC.
- iVisa processing time for Chinese citizens: 30 days.
After you provide your biometric information, pass through the medical examination, and submit all the required documents, the Australian government will process your visa request.
- Australia government processing time: It takes 28 days on average (90% of applications). This timeframe may vary according to the embassy’s workload.
Benefits of getting your Australia Visitor Visa with us
We simplify travel for you! Here are some benefits we offer for a smooth Australia Visitor Visa application:
- 100% government-compliant: Our team of iVisa Experts will carefully review your answers and ensure they comply 100% with the government requirements.
- Unlimited access to our experts: You’ll have unlimited access to our team of experts who can guide you through the entire application process and answer any questions.
- Simplified application form: Our simplified application form is 50% shorter than the government's form and uses clear and straightforward questions, making it feel like filling out a short survey.
- Apply at your own pace: Complete the online form at your own pace, make changes whenever you want, and save your progress if you need to take a break.
- Step-by-step guide manual: To help you navigate the difficult sections of the application form, you'll receive a step-by-step guide manual in PDF format that provides all the tips you need to ensure a successful application process and get your visa without issues.
My Australian Visitor Visa in China was denied. What should I do?
You can appeal the decision or reapply with stronger evidence and a better understanding of the application process. When reapplying, you must declare that your previous application was denied. The previous adverse decision will almost always affect your eligibility for future visas.
If you still have questions about the Australia visa for citizens of China or any other services, please contact our customer service team or email help@iVisa. They’re always available to assist you if you face any issues.