Visitor Visa 600 - Business Stream can be used for tourism?

thebadwolf13

Hi All,

I have applied for a Visitor 600 under business stream last year as I had to attend a conference. I was granted multiple entry valid for a year.

I am planning to go back to AU but this time around solely for tourist activities purposes lang, and not business related. Can my valid visa be used?

casssie

afaik, no. you have to apply for tourist visa for tourist purposes

nasa conditions din ng visa yun

thebadwolf13

@casssie said:
afaik, no. you have to apply for tourist visa for tourist purposes

nasa conditions din ng visa yun

Ang nakasulat kasi sa visa condition, specifically 8115, “not allowed to engage in any work other than a business visitor activity while you are in australia”.

Tapos nakasulat mismo sa website nila,

Perform business visitor activities

As a business visitor, you can:

make general business or employment enquiries
investigate, negotiate, enter into or review a business contract
conduct activities as part of an official government visit

take part in a conference, trade fair or seminar. You can’t be paid by the organisers to take part

undertake tourist activities

You can't:

work for or provide services to a business or organisation based in Australia

sell goods or services directly to the public

So tbh medyo confused ako. Tapos nakita ko pa ito:

https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/92371/can-i-travel-to-australia-as-a-tourist-on-a-business-visitor-visa

era222

@thebadwolf13 said:

@casssie said:
afaik, no. you have to apply for tourist visa for tourist purposes

nasa conditions din ng visa yun
Ang nakasulat kasi sa visa condition, specifically 8115, “not allowed to engage in any work other than a business visitor activity while you are in australia”.
Tapos nakasulat mismo sa website nila,
Perform business visitor activities
As a business visitor, you can:

make general business or employment enquiries
-investigate, negotiate, enter into or review a business contract
-conduct activities as part of an official government visit
take part in a conference, trade fair or seminar. You can’t be paid by the organisers to take part
-undertake tourist activities
You can't:
work for or provide services to a business or organisation based in Australia
sell goods or services directly to the public
So tbh medyo confused ako. Tapos nakita ko pa ito:
https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/92371/can-i-travel-to-australia-as-a-tourist-on-a-business-visitor-visa
This is just an opinion so I don't have official sources to back it up (can't find any pertaining to whether you can use a Stream 600 Business visa for tourism), but ang sistema kasi sa visa ay you cannot hold more than one visa at a time. So following lang that logic, since your visa is active it means you can use it. Ang restrictions naman ay business-related din: bawal mag-work outside of your declared/arrange business activity, but you can undertake tourist activities—is how I read your visa conditions.

I'm wondering if the system will even allow you to apply for another SC600 visa with a current active one?

casssie

@thebadwolf13 said:

@casssie said:
afaik, no. you have to apply for tourist visa for tourist purposes

nasa conditions din ng visa yun
Ang nakasulat kasi sa visa condition, specifically 8115, “not allowed to engage in any work other than a business visitor activity while you are in australia”.
Tapos nakasulat mismo sa website nila,
Perform business visitor activities
As a business visitor, you can:

make general business or employment enquiries
-investigate, negotiate, enter into or review a business contract
-conduct activities as part of an official government visit
take part in a conference, trade fair or seminar. You can’t be paid by the organisers to take part
-undertake tourist activities
You can't:
work for or provide services to a business or organisation based in Australia
sell goods or services directly to the public
So tbh medyo confused ako. Tapos nakita ko pa ito:
https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/92371/can-i-travel-to-australia-as-a-tourist-on-a-business-visitor-visa
this was 3 months ago

thebadwolf13

@casssie said:

@thebadwolf13 said:

@casssie said:
afaik, no. you have to apply for tourist visa for tourist purposes

nasa conditions din ng visa yun

Ang nakasulat kasi sa visa condition, specifically 8115, “not allowed to engage in any work other than a business visitor activity while you are in australia”.

Tapos nakasulat mismo sa website nila,

Perform business visitor activities
As a business visitor, you can:

make general business or employment enquiries
-investigate, negotiate, enter into or review a business contract
-conduct activities as part of an official government visit
take part in a conference, trade fair or seminar. You can’t be paid by the organisers to take part
-undertake tourist activities

You can't:
work for or provide services to a business or organisation based in Australia
sell goods or services directly to the public

So tbh medyo confused ako. Tapos nakita ko pa ito:
https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/92371/can-i-travel-to-australia-as-a-tourist-on-a-business-visitor-visa

this was 3 months ago

Thanks for this. I will try to email nalang the AU embassy here in PH to get official statement then share it here.

Afaik din kasi I can’t have two active visas at the same time.

thebadwolf13

@casssie said:

@thebadwolf13 said:

@casssie said:
afaik, no. you have to apply for tourist visa for tourist purposes

nasa conditions din ng visa yun

Ang nakasulat kasi sa visa condition, specifically 8115, “not allowed to engage in any work other than a business visitor activity while you are in australia”.

Tapos nakasulat mismo sa website nila,

Perform business visitor activities
As a business visitor, you can:

make general business or employment enquiries
-investigate, negotiate, enter into or review a business contract
-conduct activities as part of an official government visit
take part in a conference, trade fair or seminar. You can’t be paid by the organisers to take part
-undertake tourist activities

You can't:
work for or provide services to a business or organisation based in Australia
sell goods or services directly to the public

So tbh medyo confused ako. Tapos nakita ko pa ito:
https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/92371/can-i-travel-to-australia-as-a-tourist-on-a-business-visitor-visa

this was 3 months ago

Ooohhh btw just found this on thailand AU embassy official website: https://thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/Visa_FAQ.html#Number%2024

I hold a Visitor (subclass 600) (Business stream) visa, can I visit Australia as a tourist?

Australia allows APEC Business Travel Card holders and Visitor (subclass 600) (Business stream) visa holders to travel to Australia for non-business purposes, such as to have a holiday or visit family and friends.

Mukhang this also applies to PH passport holders?

casssie

@thebadwolf13 said:

@casssie said:

@thebadwolf13 said:

@casssie said:
afaik, no. you have to apply for tourist visa for tourist purposes

nasa conditions din ng visa yun

Ang nakasulat kasi sa visa condition, specifically 8115, “not allowed to engage in any work other than a business visitor activity while you are in australia”.

Tapos nakasulat mismo sa website nila,

Perform business visitor activities
As a business visitor, you can:

make general business or employment enquiries
-investigate, negotiate, enter into or review a business contract
-conduct activities as part of an official government visit
take part in a conference, trade fair or seminar. You can’t be paid by the organisers to take part
-undertake tourist activities

You can't:
work for or provide services to a business or organisation based in Australia
sell goods or services directly to the public

So tbh medyo confused ako. Tapos nakita ko pa ito:
https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/92371/can-i-travel-to-australia-as-a-tourist-on-a-business-visitor-visa

this was 3 months ago

Ooohhh btw just found this on thailand AU embassy official website: https://thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/Visa_FAQ.html#Number%2024

I hold a Visitor (subclass 600) (Business stream) visa, can I visit Australia as a tourist?

Australia allows APEC Business Travel Card holders and Visitor (subclass 600) (Business stream) visa holders to travel to Australia for non-business purposes, such as to have a holiday or visit family and friends.
Mukhang this also applies to PH passport holders?

better talk to a professional na lang. good luck po!

thebadwolf13

@casssie said:

@thebadwolf13 said:

@casssie said:

@thebadwolf13 said:

@casssie said:
afaik, no. you have to apply for tourist visa for tourist purposes

nasa conditions din ng visa yun

Ang nakasulat kasi sa visa condition, specifically 8115, “not allowed to engage in any work other than a business visitor activity while you are in australia”.

Tapos nakasulat mismo sa website nila,

Perform business visitor activities
As a business visitor, you can:

make general business or employment enquiries
-investigate, negotiate, enter into or review a business contract
-conduct activities as part of an official government visit
take part in a conference, trade fair or seminar. You can’t be paid by the organisers to take part
-undertake tourist activities

You can't:
work for or provide services to a business or organisation based in Australia
sell goods or services directly to the public

So tbh medyo confused ako. Tapos nakita ko pa ito:
https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/92371/can-i-travel-to-australia-as-a-tourist-on-a-business-visitor-visa

this was 3 months ago

Ooohhh btw just found this on thailand AU embassy official website: https://thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/Visa_FAQ.html#Number%2024

I hold a Visitor (subclass 600) (Business stream) visa, can I visit Australia as a tourist?

Australia allows APEC Business Travel Card holders and Visitor (subclass 600) (Business stream) visa holders to travel to Australia for non-business purposes, such as to have a holiday or visit family and friends.

Mukhang this also applies to PH passport holders?

better talk to a professional na lang. good luck po!

Thank you! I have sent an email sa AU PH embassy and pwede gamiting si Business visitor for solely tourism purposes. Ni link ko rin yung from thailand embassy na FAQ.

Bree0808

ako namn baligtad hi guys, I have a question, i am not sure if this is the right area and where will i see responses. I currently have a Visitor Visa 600 for Tourist Stream however i may need to attend some conference that supposedly to have a visitor visa via Business Stream but they are both Visitor Visa Subclass 600, what shall I do? Thank you

Bree0808

hi guys sorry first time ko dito mag ask dko sure tlga paano mag ask and go to rright venue, nalilito ako sa blog na to help nman po thank you in advance

thebadwolf13

@Bree0808 said:
ako namn baligtad hi guys, I have a question, i am not sure if this is the right area and where will i see responses. I currently have a Visitor Visa 600 for Tourist Stream however i may need to attend some conference that supposedly to have a visitor visa via Business Stream but they are both Visitor Visa Subclass 600, what shall I do? Thank you

Ah eto ang alam kong hindi po pwede since nasa visa conditions mo na “no work” iirc. Kay business visitor kasi, ang condition is no work pero can do business visitor activities like conferences, meetings, etc.

Not sure if you can change your stream? Try emailing nalang din po yung inemail ko: immigration.manila@dfat.gov.au so they can give you concrete answer and meron ka rin documentation.

Bree0808

@thebadwolf13 said:

@Bree0808 said:
ako namn baligtad hi guys, I have a question, i am not sure if this is the right area and where will i see responses. I currently have a Visitor Visa 600 for Tourist Stream however i may need to attend some conference that supposedly to have a visitor visa via Business Stream but they are both Visitor Visa Subclass 600, what shall I do? Thank you
Ah eto ang alam kong hindi po pwede since nasa visa conditions mo na “no work” iirc. Kay business visitor kasi, ang condition is no work pero can do business visitor activities like conferences, meetings, etc.
Not sure if you can change your stream? Try emailing nalang din po yung inemail ko: immigration.manila@dfat.gov.au so they can give you concrete answer and meron ka rin documentation.

Hi po just to be clear yes i have a tourist visitor visa but suddenly i needed to attend a conference, this is not paid work, conference is just for few days and also another purpose is like per normal if you are there na, u just meet and greet ur team so u have immersion and u can bond with them since you are based overseas, do i still need to secure business visitor visa? they both the same conditions under Visitor Visa Subclass 600

Bree0808

@Bree0808 said:

@thebadwolf13 said:

@Bree0808 said:
ako namn baligtad hi guys, I have a question, i am not sure if this is the right area and where will i see responses. I currently have a Visitor Visa 600 for Tourist Stream however i may need to attend some conference that supposedly to have a visitor visa via Business Stream but they are both Visitor Visa Subclass 600, what shall I do? Thank you

Ah eto ang alam kong hindi po pwede since nasa visa conditions mo na “no work” iirc. Kay business visitor kasi, ang condition is no work pero can do business visitor activities like conferences, meetings, etc.

Not sure if you can change your stream? Try emailing nalang din po yung inemail ko: immigration.manila@dfat.gov.au so they can give you concrete answer and meron ka rin documentation.

@thebadwolf13 said:
@Bree0808 said:
ako namn baligtad hi guys, I have a question, i am not sure if this is the right area and where will i see responses. I currently have a Visitor Visa 600 for Tourist Stream however i may need to attend some conference that supposedly to have a visitor visa via Business Stream but they are both Visitor Visa Subclass 600, what shall I do? Thank you

Ah eto ang alam kong hindi po pwede since nasa visa conditions mo na “no work” iirc. Kay business visitor kasi, ang condition is no work pero can do business visitor activities like conferences, meetings, etc.

Not sure if you can change your stream? Try emailing nalang din po yung inemail ko: immigration.manila@dfat.gov.au so they can give you concrete answer and meron ka rin documentation.

Hi po just to be clear yes i have a tourist visitor visa but suddenly i needed to attend a conference, this is not paid work, conference is just for few days and also another purpose is like per normal if you are there na, u just meet and greet ur team so u have immersion and u can bond with them since you are based overseas, do i still need to secure business visitor visa? they both the same conditions under Visitor Visa Subclass 600

@thebadwolf13 said:

@Bree0808 said:
ako namn baligtad hi guys, I have a question, i am not sure if this is the right area and where will i see responses. I currently have a Visitor Visa 600 for Tourist Stream however i may need to attend some conference that supposedly to have a visitor visa via Business Stream but they are both Visitor Visa Subclass 600, what shall I do? Thank you
Ah eto ang alam kong hindi po pwede since nasa visa conditions mo na “no work” iirc. Kay business visitor kasi, ang condition is no work pero can do business visitor activities like conferences, meetings, etc.
Not sure if you can change your stream? Try emailing nalang din po yung inemail ko: immigration.manila@dfat.gov.au so they can give you concrete answer and meron ka rin documentation.

Thank you for the email address ill email them 🙂 and will keep you updated

Bree0808

@thebadwolf13 said:

@casssie said:

@thebadwolf13 said:

@casssie said:

@thebadwolf13 said:

@casssie said:
afaik, no. you have to apply for tourist visa for tourist purposes

nasa conditions din ng visa yun

Ang nakasulat kasi sa visa condition, specifically 8115, “not allowed to engage in any work other than a business visitor activity while you are in australia”.

Tapos nakasulat mismo sa website nila,

Perform business visitor activities
As a business visitor, you can:

make general business or employment enquiries
-investigate, negotiate, enter into or review a business contract
-conduct activities as part of an official government visit
take part in a conference, trade fair or seminar. You can’t be paid by the organisers to take part
-undertake tourist activities

You can't:
work for or provide services to a business or organisation based in Australia
sell goods or services directly to the public

So tbh medyo confused ako. Tapos nakita ko pa ito:
https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/92371/can-i-travel-to-australia-as-a-tourist-on-a-business-visitor-visa

this was 3 months ago

Ooohhh btw just found this on thailand AU embassy official website: https://thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/Visa_FAQ.html#Number%2024

I hold a Visitor (subclass 600) (Business stream) visa, can I visit Australia as a tourist?

Australia allows APEC Business Travel Card holders and Visitor (subclass 600) (Business stream) visa holders to travel to Australia for non-business purposes, such as to have a holiday or visit family and friends.

Mukhang this also applies to PH passport holders?

better talk to a professional na lang. good luck po!

Thank you! I have sent an email sa AU PH embassy and pwede gamiting si Business visitor for solely tourism purposes. Ni link ko rin yung from thailand embassy na FAQ.

hi po yes po ung business visa pwedeng gamiting in tourism activites nagawa ko na dati yan kaso baligtad po now, tourist yung hawak ko cann i use for business tourist purposes like attending exhibit or shows, seminar or trade events BUT again i am not working in Australia i wouldnt get paid there, i am paid like i am paid locally. thannk you sa makakasagot po, ung reply sa akin ng immigration d ganyan ang labo napakageneric icheck ko daw online, nakakaloka.. buti nga syo maayos ung sagot po e

sieistzen

@Bree0808 said:

@thebadwolf13 said:

@casssie said:

@thebadwolf13 said:

@casssie said:

@thebadwolf13 said:

@casssie said:
afaik, no. you have to apply for tourist visa for tourist purposes

nasa conditions din ng visa yun

Ang nakasulat kasi sa visa condition, specifically 8115, “not allowed to engage in any work other than a business visitor activity while you are in australia”.

Tapos nakasulat mismo sa website nila,

Perform business visitor activities
As a business visitor, you can:

make general business or employment enquiries
-investigate, negotiate, enter into or review a business contract
-conduct activities as part of an official government visit
take part in a conference, trade fair or seminar. You can’t be paid by the organisers to take part
-undertake tourist activities

You can't:
work for or provide services to a business or organisation based in Australia
sell goods or services directly to the public

So tbh medyo confused ako. Tapos nakita ko pa ito:
https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/92371/can-i-travel-to-australia-as-a-tourist-on-a-business-visitor-visa

this was 3 months ago

Ooohhh btw just found this on thailand AU embassy official website: https://thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/Visa_FAQ.html#Number%2024

I hold a Visitor (subclass 600) (Business stream) visa, can I visit Australia as a tourist?

Australia allows APEC Business Travel Card holders and Visitor (subclass 600) (Business stream) visa holders to travel to Australia for non-business purposes, such as to have a holiday or visit family and friends.

Mukhang this also applies to PH passport holders?

better talk to a professional na lang. good luck po!

Thank you! I have sent an email sa AU PH embassy and pwede gamiting si Business visitor for solely tourism purposes. Ni link ko rin yung from thailand embassy na FAQ.

hi po yes po ung business visa pwedeng gamiting in tourism activites nagawa ko na dati yan kaso baligtad po now, tourist yung hawak ko cann i use for business tourist purposes like attending exhibit or shows, seminar or trade events BUT again i am not working in Australia i wouldnt get paid there, i am paid like i am paid locally. thannk you sa makakasagot po, ung reply sa akin ng immigration d ganyan ang labo napakageneric icheck ko daw online, nakakaloka.. buti nga syo maayos ung sagot po e

Hello! At least you got a reply. I didn't. Haha.

Anyway, would like to clarify, have you used your Visitor Visa (subclass 600) under the Business Visitor Stream for pure tourism purposes?

If yes, how did it go with the NAIA IOs?

mathilde9

I realized my current sc600 visa is expiring this month, and took the initiative to apply again. Yes, you can apply for a new one while you still have a valid visa. There's a warning message in IMMI website stating the valid visa will be overridden with the decision of the new application. I took the risk haha.

I got approved today still with 3 years validity ME. In my cover letter, I explained why I cannot wait until my current visa expires, and that I have an ongoing sc190 visa application. Inasikaso ko na para hindi masyadong malapit sa period where my 190 grant is anticipated (haha praning feelingera lang).

If you need guidance for tourist visa, message me. Will be glad to be of help.

Add: wala pong service fee! Haha baka ma-report pa.

Archjess0309

Hi, it's very timely that I bumped into this forum. I have a current dilemma about the tourist visa that I and my wife are going to apply. So for some background:

We have a booked trip to Sydney this coming August.
Out of nowhere, my employer obliged me to attend a conference that will be held in Melbourne on September.
Due to the very close dates between the events, it might not be a good idea to apply for separate visas at the end of each trip.

So by principle, I can apply for a Subclass 600 (Business Stream) and apply a separate one for my wife (Tourist Stream). I've heard that I can't add my wife as dependent under the Business Stream visa.

Now here my concerns:

What additional document do I need to produce for my wife as proof that I will sponsor her expenses for our Sydney trip (she is unemployed by the way).
Can I use the business stream visa for our vacation trip on Sydney?
In case of additional correspondence with the immigration officers from Australia, should we stick with the Business trip in Melbourne and not mention the vacation trip in Sydney to avoid any conflicts?

Thank you in advance

Archjess0309

@mathilde9 said:
I realized my current sc600 visa is expiring this month, and took the initiative to apply again. Yes, you can apply for a new one while you still have a valid visa. There's a warning message in IMMI website stating the valid visa will be overridden with the decision of the new application. I took the risk haha.

I got approved today still with 3 years validity ME. In my cover letter, I explained why I cannot wait until my current visa expires, and that I have an ongoing sc190 visa application. Inasikaso ko na para hindi masyadong malapit sa period where my 190 grant is anticipated (haha praning feelingera lang).
If you need guidance for tourist visa, message me. Will be glad to be of help.
Add: wala pong service fee! Haha baka ma-report pa.

hello, can I send you a direct message? dami ko issue sa visas na yan sabay2x kasi hahahha

mathilde9

@Archjess0309 said:

@mathilde9 said:
I realized my current sc600 visa is expiring this month, and took the initiative to apply again. Yes, you can apply for a new one while you still have a valid visa. There's a warning message in IMMI website stating the valid visa will be overridden with the decision of the new application. I took the risk haha.

I got approved today still with 3 years validity ME. In my cover letter, I explained why I cannot wait until my current visa expires, and that I have an ongoing sc190 visa application. Inasikaso ko na para hindi masyadong malapit sa period where my 190 grant is anticipated (haha praning feelingera lang).

If you need guidance for tourist visa, message me. Will be glad to be of help.
Add: wala pong service fee! Haha baka ma-report pa.

hello, can I send you a direct message? dami ko issue sa visas na yan sabay2x kasi hahahha

Hello, sure! But just to be sure din kasi, before I submitted and paid for my current visa, tumawag muna ako sa immigration mismo. Took me around 5mins to complete the call securing their answer to my questions. Ayaw ko kasi magrely din sa sabi ng iba lang.

Here's their contact number: +61 2 6196 0196. The IDD charge is worth it to confirm some of my doubts. Around 8aud or 300ish peso lang.