Australia Visa Guide for Pakistani Applicants

Pakistani citizens need a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) before travelling to Australia for tourism, family visits, or short business activities. Pakistan is not on Australia’s ETA or eVisitor eligible passport lists, so applicants must apply through the standard Subclass 600 process via ImmiAccount, and applications generally face closer scrutiny than from ETA-eligible countries.

Work is strictly prohibited on this visa, including remote work for a Pakistani employer while in Australia.

• Tourist Stream — holidays, recreation, or visiting family and friends
• Business Visitor Stream — short business visits such as conferences, negotiations, or meetings
• Sponsored Family Stream — for applicants sponsored by an Australian citizen or permanent resident relative
• Grants are typically for 3, 6, or 12 months, decided case by case; a longer 3-year visitor visa is available in limited cases, particularly for parents

• Valid passport with at least six months’ validity and blank pages, plus copies of any previous passports
• Completed Subclass 600 application through ImmiAccount
• Recent passport photograph
• Bank statements and evidence of sufficient funds for the trip
• Proof of employment, business ownership, or income
• Evidence of ties to Pakistan (property, family, employment, business)
• Travel itinerary, return flight booking, and accommodation details
• Invitation letter and sponsor documents, for the family-sponsored stream
• Valid polio vaccination certificate, since Pakistan is classified as polio-endemic (vaccination should be at least 4 weeks before travel)
• Travel insurance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended and can support your application

Applicants must satisfy the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement — showing they:

• Will leave Australia before their visa expires and have compelling reasons to return to Pakistan
• Have adequate funds to support themselves without working in Australia
• Meet standard health and character requirements

Strong evidence of ties to Pakistan — employment, property, business, or family — combined with a consistent, well-documented file is the single biggest factor in approval. Previous visas to Australia, the US, UK, or Schengen countries can also strengthen an application.

Visa policy is set by Australia’s Department of Home Affairs and can be updated periodically. Since Pakistan is treated as a higher-scrutiny country for this visa, requirements and evidentiary expectations are reviewed carefully for each case. We check the official Department of Home Affairs guidance before advising clients rather than relying on older information.

Applicants from high-volume countries, including Pakistan, sometimes experience processing at the longer end of these ranges. We check the Department of Home Affairs’ official global processing times page before giving you an estimate, and recommend applying at least 4–6 weeks before travel.

The Subclass 600 application itself is submitted online through ImmiAccount. VFS Global operates Biometric Collection Centres in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi for applicants who require biometrics as part of their application.

Our consultation and file preparation fee is separate from the Australian government’s visa application charge. Contact our Sahiwal or Islamabad office for our current service fee.

What is the current Australia visitor visa fee?
The base application charge for the Subclass 600 has recently been reported around AUD 190–200. This is a government fee, separate from our service charge, and we confirm the exact current amount before you apply.

Can I convert a visitor visa into a work visa once I’m in Australia?
No. A Subclass 600 visa cannot be converted into a work visa — a separate work visa application is required, generally from outside Australia.

What is the most common reason for refusal?
Weak evidence of ties to Pakistan and insufficient proof that the applicant will return home before their visa expires.

• The visa application fee is non-refundable even if your application is refused.
• All information across your documents must be consistent — inconsistencies are a common cause of refusal.
• If refused, you can generally request a review through Australia’s Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) in most cases; we advise honestly on whether this is worthwhile for your situation.