Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) for Parents Visiting Family
26 February 2026
Australia’s Visitor visa (subclass 600) is the standard route for parents visiting sons and daughters working there, and understanding its two main streams helps you apply with the right documents from the start.
Tourist stream vs. Sponsored Family stream
The Tourist stream is a standalone application, assessed mainly on your own finances and ties to India. The Sponsored Family stream lets your Australia-based child formally sponsor the visit using Form 1257, along with evidence of their own status and finances. If your own financial documentation is limited — for example, if you’re a homemaker without independent income — the Sponsored Family stream, backed by your child’s stronger financial profile, can be the more straightforward path.
What you’ll need either way
- Passport with copies of any previous visas
- Recent digital photograph
- Proof of relationship to your sponsor (birth or marriage certificate)
- Your bank statements for the last 6 months
- Proof of ties to India — job, property, pension, or business
- Travel and health insurance for your stay
- A clear statement of purpose explaining your visit
Additional documents for the Sponsored Family stream
- Completed Form 1257 from your Australia-based sponsor
- Evidence of their visa, PR, or citizenship status
- Their financial evidence, if they’re supporting your visit
How long can you stay?
Subclass 600 visas are commonly granted with 12-month (sometimes longer) validity, allowing multiple entries — but each individual stay is capped at whatever’s specified on your visa grant, typically 3, 6, or 12 months. Always check your grant notice carefully before booking return travel, since the cap can vary between applicants.
Processing time
The Department of Home Affairs’ published estimates commonly range from around 20 to 30 days for straightforward applications, though this varies with volume and how complete your initial submission is. Incomplete files are the single biggest cause of delay we see, so we make sure nothing is missing before lodgement.
Biometrics
Most applicants complete biometrics enrolment at the VFS Global Australian Visa Application Centre in Kochi as part of the process.
Planning a visit to family in Australia? WhatsApp us or read our full Australia Visit Visa guide.