Tourist Visa
For tourism, visiting family, or a cruise — a temporary stay with no work rights.
Overview
A visitor visa for people coming to Australia to see the country, visit family and friends, or take a cruise. It's not a pathway to study long-term or to work — your permitted stay is decided based on your circumstances and the purpose of your visit.
Who it's for
- Genuine short-term visitors — tourism, family visits, or a cruise stopover
Key requirements
- A genuine intention to visit temporarily
- Sufficient funds to support your stay
- Health and character requirements
- No work while in Australia — short courses of up to 3 months are allowed
You can't extend this visa by lengthening it once granted — if you want to stay longer, you need to apply for a different visa altogether. Whether you apply from inside or outside Australia changes both the cost and the process, so confirm which applies to you before you start.
Not sure if this is the right visa for you?
Tell us your situation and we'll confirm whether the Tourist Visa fits, or point you to the one that does.
Book a free visa assessmentVisa subclasses, eligibility criteria, streams, queues and fees are set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and change periodically, often each July. The information above reflects publicly available guidance as of mid-2026 — your Rigpa House adviser will confirm current figures and eligibility before you apply.