Visitor visa (subclass 600): photo and application guide
Short-term entry to Australia for tourism, business meetings, family visits or medical treatment, typically up to 3, 6 or 12 months.
Quick answer
35 × 45 mm photo · set by the current Visa Pricing Table · biometrics at VAC
Photo specification is the shared Home Affairs 35 × 45 mm format. Biometric capture at the VAC for most nationalities. Fee set by the current Visa Pricing Table. Processing 50% within 21 days; 90% within 47 days (Tourist stream). Last reviewed .
Application route
| Full name | Subclass 600 Visitor Visa |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Short-term entry to Australia for tourism, business meetings, family visits or medical treatment, typically up to 3, 6 or 12 months. |
| Application route | ImmiAccount online application |
| Fee | set by the current Visa Pricing Table — indexed every 1 July. Visa Pricing Table ↗ |
| Processing time | 50% within 21 days; 90% within 47 days (Tourist stream) |
| Biometric appointment | Yes for certain nationalities — at a Visa Application Centre (VFS Global) |
| Official portal | Home Affairs — Visitor visa (subclass 600) ↗ |
Photo specification
The Visitor visa (subclass 600) uses the shared Home Affairs biometric photo standard. The same photo file works for the ImmiAccount upload and the printed copy at the VAC.
| Size | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 32 to 36 mm chin to crown |
| Background | plain neutral or light grey that contrasts with the face, even illumination |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed (no smile preferred) |
| Glasses | Discouraged; remove for the shot |
| Digital file | JPEG, 70 KB to 3.5 MB; 1200 × 1600 px preferred |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Editing | Not allowed: do not remove background, moles, wrinkles, scars or red eyes Why → |
What to watch out for with the Visitor visa (subclass 600)
Subclass 600 has four streams: Tourist, Business Visitor, Family Sponsored Visitor and Approved Destination Status. All share the same photo specification but fees and supporting documents differ. Many applicants from low-risk nationalities use the cheaper ETA (subclass 601) or eVisitor (subclass 651) instead.
Frequently asked questions about the Visitor visa (subclass 600)
What size photo do I need for a Visitor visa (subclass 600)?
35 × 45 mm portrait. The Visitor visa (subclass 600) uses the shared Home Affairs biometric photo: head 32 to 36 mm chin to crown, plain light background, neutral expression.
How much does the Visitor visa (subclass 600) cost?
set by the current Visa Pricing Table.
How long does the Visitor visa (subclass 600) take to process?
50% within 21 days; 90% within 47 days (Tourist stream).
Is biometric capture mandatory for the Visitor visa (subclass 600)?
Yes for certain nationalities — at a Visa Application Centre (VFS Global). The biometric capture happens at a VFS Global Visa Application Centre.
Can I use the same photo for an Australian passport later?
Yes if you become an Australian citizen and apply for an Australian passport. The DFAT passport specification (35 × 45 mm) matches the Home Affairs visa specification. The photo is interchangeable across these documents.
Other Australian visa categories
Prepare your Visitor visa (subclass 600) photo
Upload a genuine, unedited portrait — Anfas.Pro crops it to 35 × 45 mm and sets the file size. Your face and background stay untouched, as Home Affairs requires.