New visa arrangements under the Australia Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

The Australian Government has introduced a new long-validity, multiple-entry visitor visa option for Singaporean nationals visiting Australia.

Once granted, the new Visitor (Subclass 600) visa will be valid for six years and allow multiple entries into Australia. Visa holders can stay in Australia for three months each time they choose to visit.

Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton said that the Government continues to push forward with innovation in Australia's visa services, finding new ways to manage increasing application numbers, while improving the client experience and streamlining processes.

"This new visa will strengthen our relationship with Singapore and build on the Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," Mr Dutton said.

"Australia and Singapore share a mutual commitment to the economic prosperity of our region and this new visa is mutually beneficial and will contribute to regional growth."

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo said Singapore is an important regional hub for Australian businesses and a key tourism market.

"The certainty that a six year multiple-entry visa provides will make Australia a more appealing destination and will boost both business links and the Australian tourism industry," Mr Ciobo said.

"Last financial year we saw nearly 250,000 Singaporean nationals apply for Visitor visas or Electronic Travel Authorities to Australia and this new visa will make it even easier for Singaporeans to visit one of their favourite travel destinations."

Details of the new visa are available at the Australian Visa Application Centre's website in Singapore: http://www.vfsglobal.com/australia/singapore/.

Applicants must satisfy all usual visa criteria, including health and character requirements and have adequate funds to support themselves for the period of the visit.