Short Stay Business Visa Subclass 600
The Visitor visa (Subclass 600) Business Visitor stream enables eligible people outside Australia to make a temporary visit for approved business visitor activities such as meetings, contract negotiations, business enquiries and unpaid conferences.
This visa does not provide Australian work rights. A business visitor cannot work for or provide services to an Australian business or organisation, sell directly to the public, or receive payment from conference organisers. Productive work requires a suitable work visa.
What is the Business Visitor stream?
This stream is intended for short, clearly defined business visits rather than ongoing employment. Applicants must be outside Australia when they apply and when the Department decides the application, and they must demonstrate that they are genuine temporary visitors.
The visa grant letter specifies its validity, permitted stay and whether travel is single or multiple entry. The Department decides the period case by case and may grant a shorter stay or different travel facility than requested.
Permitted business visitor activities
Activities this visa does not permit
A visitor cannot fill a position, perform productive work for an Australian organisation, deliver services under a contract, undertake ongoing workplace training as an employee, or sell goods or services directly to the Australian public.
The difference depends on the substance of the proposed activity, not the title used in an invitation letter. If the visitor will install equipment, deliver a project, perform paid engagements or provide specialist services, a temporary work visa may be more appropriate.
Genuine Visitor requirement
The applicant must genuinely intend to stay temporarily and do only the activities permitted by the visa. The Department may consider the visit purpose, planned duration, immigration history, financial position, employment or business commitments and reasons to return to the home country.
A clear itinerary, credible business purpose and evidence of ongoing professional, financial and personal ties can help demonstrate that the visit is temporary.
How the Business Visitor process works
Define the proposed activities
Confirm every planned meeting, event and task falls within permitted business visitor activity.
Prepare the Australian invitation
Set out the host, purpose, dates, itinerary, contacts, funding and why the visitor's attendance is required.
Document temporary intent
Provide employment, business, family, financial and other evidence showing strong reasons to return.
Lodge from outside Australia
Submit the application and supporting documents through the available Home Affairs process.
Check the visa grant
Before travel, review the approved stay, entry facility and every condition recorded in the grant letter or VEVO.
Evidence from the Australian business
The host organisation can provide a signed invitation identifying the visitor, Australian contacts, proposed activities, locations and dates. It should explain the commercial context, prior business relationship, who will pay the costs and confirm that the visitor will not undertake prohibited work.
Useful supporting records can include conference registration, meeting schedules, correspondence, draft contracts, evidence of previous dealings and documents confirming the Australian host is actively operating.
Evidence from the applicant
The applicant can provide a valid passport, employer letter, leave approval, position and salary evidence, business ownership documents, professional qualifications, itinerary, invitation, previous travel history and evidence of sufficient funds.
Financial evidence may include itemised bank statements, payslips, audited accounts, tax records or term deposits. Evidence of employment, family, property or other ongoing obligations can support the intention to return home after the visit.
Important Subclass 600 business checks
- Apply under the Business Visitor stream rather than a tourist stream for business activities.
- Make sure all planned activities fit the official business visitor definition.
- Do not perform work or provide services to an Australian organisation.
- Do not sell goods or services directly to the Australian public.
- Provide a detailed invitation, itinerary and evidence of the business relationship.
- Show sufficient funds and strong reasons to leave Australia after the visit.
- Check the grant letter for stay, entry and no-further-stay conditions before travelling.
Health, character and funding
The applicant must satisfy applicable health and character criteria, have enough funds for the visit and departure, and resolve relevant Australian Government debts. Health insurance is strongly recommended because visitors can be personally responsible for healthcare expenses in Australia.
Family members and separate applications
Family members cannot be included in one Business Visitor application. Every person who intends to travel must lodge a separate application and establish their own purpose and eligibility.
Other short business travel options
Depending on nationality and circumstances, a traveller may instead qualify for an eVisitor visa (Subclass 651), Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601) or travel associated with an eligible APEC Business Travel Card. These options have their own eligibility and activity restrictions.
How Echoes Global Education can assist
Our migration team can review the proposed business activities, identify the appropriate visitor or temporary work pathway, prepare applicant and host-company checklists, review invitation and genuine-visitor evidence, and support a decision-ready application.