Australia opens 10-year Visitor Visa opportunity for eligible Filipino travellers

Filipinos can now apply for Australia’s Frequent Traveller Stream Visa, allowing visit to Australia for up to 3 months at a time, with grant periods of up to 10 years.

Eligible Filipinos can now apply for the Australian Frequent Traveller Stream (FTS) Visitor Visa (subclass 600). Credit: Envato / datnguyenhb1912

The Australian Embassy in the Philippines has announced that Filipinos are now eligible to apply for the Frequent Traveller Stream (FTS) Visitor Visa (subclass 600). This visa enables multiple visits to Australia for up to three months per trip, with a grant period of up to 10 years.

The embassy's post highlighted that all applications will be assessed individually, requiring applicants to meet relevant criteria on a case-by-case basis.

According to the Department of Home Affairs website, applicants must demonstrate they are genuine visitors, have sufficient financial resources to support their stay, meet health and character requirements, and fulfil other conditions. The visa application fee is set at AUD 1,435.

The expansion of this visa stream also applies to citizens of the People’s Republic of China, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste. This move is expected to strengthen regional ties and encourage greater tourism and travel between these nations and Australia.

Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics highlights a growing interest in visiting Australia, with international arrivals increasing by 11.3 per cent over the past year and departures rising by 12.1 per cent. Short-term visitor arrivals and resident returns also saw a double-digit increase, further reflecting the country’s appeal as a travel destination.

The information provided in this story is general in nature. Please contact a migration expert for advice on individual situations.