Australia trip delayed due to COVID - is visa reusable?
 

We are postponing a Nov 2020 trip to Australia because of coronavirus-related travel restrictions. I have two visitor visas (subclass 600) that expire in early 2021. Our plan is to resurrect our itinerary for Nov 2021. Can we get a free extensions so we can use our tourist visa later in 2021? These visas were costly so if we have to reapply/repurchase, we may skip our plans to visit the country.

I was unable to find the answer to my question online so I am hoping someone can help me. Thanks.

I haven't seen anything.

I'd ask Home Affairs directly.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/contact-us

It's a great suggestion but the Home Affairs contact web page wants to force-route me through a choice of scenarios, none of which apply to me. They are focusing on people who have an urgent need to get in, leave, or transit the country. There appears to be no way, other than contact the embassy in my country (USA). While I really want the information now, I feel my question is trivial compared to what other people call in about.

I suspect they don’t have a policy yet on this sort of thing and won’t until we get to a point where reopening to the US (or other non bubble countries) starts to become feasible.

Why did you use subclass 600 [AU$365] and not the online ETA subclass 601 [AU$20]?
Visa from the Au government web site? Or did you use one of look-a-like scam web sites?
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visa...a/visa-listing
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Visa...r-landing.aspx
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visa...-authority-601

FT threads
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ocea...a-customs.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ocea...migration.html

I applied through the government website but didn't know about the ETA option. the government website was confusing to me, having not applied for a visa in at least 30 years.

If my request for a visa extension fails, I won't feel so bad about forking over AU$20 x 2. Our subclass 600 visas cost us AU$145, because we applied from outside the country.

Thanks for the info! Very helpful.

OK. You could try writing a letter (with a stamp) for a refund or extension. But that way all governments work would not give that a lot of hope

While currently suspended, this offer may be useful in ~12 months time:---> https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ocea...plication.html

Australia is worth visiting. From November is a good time of the year. Hope you make it here.

I had assumed the OP was not eligible, but it appears they just got confused. I'm surprised that a US citizen with no criminal record declaration doesn't get routed away from the 600 visa to the cheaper option. (yes, I know governments, revenue etc)

Why not just pop down to the consulate and ask.

The language confused me, not understanding that ETA, which stands for Electronic Travel Authority, which really meant digital visa.

There is no way to extend a visa in the way you describe.

Maybe they will offer this option, but it so it will be some time before we know. Closed borders mean it isn't a priority.

I would follow the directions on the Los Angeles consulate's website. It provides a phone number:+61 2 6196 0196 at Home Affairs for visa-related questions which are not answered on the website. My suggestion would be to ask for a refund rather than an extension. Then, when you are ready to travel, apply for the ETA.