Filipino passport holders can apply for Australia's Frequent Traveller visitor visa of up to 10 years

Filipino passport holders are among the citizens eligible for the Frequent Traveller stream of Australia's Visitor visa (subclass 600), which can be granted for up to 10 years and allows multiple stays of up to three months each.

Eligible Filipino passport holders can apply for an Australian visitor visa that may allow multiple entries over a period of up to 10 years, The Philippine Times reported. The visa is the Frequent Traveller stream of the Visitor visa (subclass 600), and the Philippines is among 11 countries whose citizens are eligible, according to BusinessMirror, citing the Department of Home Affairs.

Holders may stay for up to three months on each visit and for a maximum of 12 months in any 24-month period. The visa can be used for tourism, visiting family and friends and business visitor activities, but holders are not allowed to work in Australia and may study or train for no more than three months.

Applicants must hold a valid Philippine passport, be outside Australia when they apply and when a decision is made, provide biometrics and meet health and character requirements. They must also show they are genuine temporary visitors with enough funds for their stay. The Philippine Times noted that a 10-year grant is not guaranteed and that the final validity period depends on the department's decision.

For Filipino-Australian families with relatives who regularly visit from the Philippines, the visa could reduce the need to lodge repeated visitor visa applications, The Philippine Times said, while the standard Visitor visa may suit occasional travellers better. BusinessMirror reported that the department does not currently publish processing times for the stream.

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