There are few things more important than family, and few things harder than being kept apart from them by distance and paperwork. So we were delighted when the Department of Home Affairs granted a Visitor (subclass 600) visa to our client, an Iranian grandmother living in New Zealand who simply wanted to spend time with her family here in Australia.
Here is how it went, and what it means for other families in the same position.
Our client's situation:
Our client is an Iranian citizen who lives in New Zealand. Her family lives in Australia. Like so many grandparents, she wanted to visit, spend real time with her children and grandchildren, and then go home again. The right visa for that is the Visitor (subclass 600) visa in the Tourist stream, which is the visa most people use to holiday in Australia or visit family.
Rocket & Ash Immigration Law helped her prepare and lodge her application with the Department.
The timeline:
The application was lodged on 17 June 2026, and the Department confirmed it had been received that same day.
On 1 October 2026, the Department granted the visa. That is a little under three and a half months from lodgement to grant.
Every application is different and the Department's processing times change over time, so we can never promise how long an application will take. But this case is a good example of what a well-prepared application can look like from start to finish.
What the visa allows:
The visa gives our client real flexibility to see her family:
Multiple entries. She can come and go from Australia more than once on the same visa, rather than having to apply again for each trip.
Up to three months each visit. Each time she arrives, she can stay for up to three months.
Time to plan the first trip. She needs to make her first entry to Australia on or before 1 April 2027.
The conditions on the visa:
Like all visitor visas, this visa comes with conditions. In plain terms, they are:
8503 - No further stay. This visa is for visiting. While our client is in Australia on it, she generally will not be able to apply for most other visas from inside the country. If she ever wants to stay longer term, that is a conversation to have well before she travels, not after she arrives. This is now mandatory for a tourist visa.
8101 - No work. The visa does not allow her to work in Australia.
8201 - Limited study. She can do a short course of up to three months if she wants to, but no more than that.
These conditions are standard for a tourist visa now. The important thing is to understand them before travelling so there are no surprises. Anyone can check the conditions on their own visa at any time using the Department's free VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online) service.
What this case shows
Visitor visa applications are often thought of as simple, and for some people they are. But for many families, particularly where the visitor is older, is visiting close family, or holds a passport from a country where the Department tends to look closely at applications, it pays to get the application right the first time. Living in one country while holding the passport of another, as our client does, is another detail that is worth explaining clearly in the application rather than leaving the Department to wonder about it.
In our experience, the Department wants to be satisfied that a visitor is coming to Australia for a genuine visit and intends to leave when it ends. Showing that clearly, with the right supporting documents presented in an organised way, makes a real difference. It is also worth remembering that any documents not in English need to be translated by a qualified translator, with a copy of the original provided alongside the translation. Our firm has a panel of translators that can assist with translating documents.
A refused visitor visa can be upsetting for the whole family and can make future applications harder. Taking care up front is almost always worth it.
About Rocket & Ash Immigration Law
At Rocket & Ash Immigration Law, we specialise in helping families, couples, and businesses navigate the complexities of Australian immigration law. Our expertise in visa applications ensures that you receive tailored advice and support throughout your immigration journey.
If you require assistance with your Tourist Visa Application our experienced team can help.
Please book a free 15-minute discussion with our team if you have further questions.
Written by Jay Hronsky, Practice Director
This article does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. For up-to-date information, please consult an immigration professional.
