Important Updates
Important Updates
July 10, 2025 | IrelandThe Irish Times: AI Technologies Being Used in Effort to Reduce Risk of Fraud in Immigration Process Department of Justice Says New Tools Are Not Used for Application Decision-Making
July 10, 2025 | United KingdomGames Industry: What the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration White Paper Mean for the UK Games Industry
July 10, 2025 | United KingdomPartner Julia Onslow-Cole Named to Citywealth Leaders List 2025
July 10, 2025 | PolandPoland: EU Blue Card Rules Relaxed
July 10, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Grace Period for Foreign Nationals in Irregular Status
July 10, 2025 | IrelandThe Irish Times: AI Technologies Being Used in Effort to Reduce Risk of Fraud in Immigration Process Department of Justice Says New Tools Are Not Used for Application Decision-Making
July 10, 2025 | United KingdomGames Industry: What the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration White Paper Mean for the UK Games Industry
July 10, 2025 | United KingdomPartner Julia Onslow-Cole Named to Citywealth Leaders List 2025
July 10, 2025 | PolandPoland: EU Blue Card Rules Relaxed
July 10, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Grace Period for Foreign Nationals in Irregular Status
July 10, 2025 | IrelandThe Irish Times: AI Technologies Being Used in Effort to Reduce Risk of Fraud in Immigration Process Department of Justice Says New Tools Are Not Used for Application Decision-Making
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

New 10-Year Visitor Visa for China Commences!

December 14, 2016

Countries / Territories

  • AustraliaAustralia
  • ChinaChina

Related offices

  • Beijing
  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Shanghai
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Beijing
  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Shanghai
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Beijing
  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Shanghai
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
After much anticipation, the Department of Immigration announced on 12 December 2016 that the new 10 year 'Frequent Traveller' visitor visa is now open to PRC nationals. The 10-year visa is of significant benefit to frequent short-term travellers by avoiding multiple visa applications being made, with related processing times and multiple government fees for each visa being avoided. The initial visa fee of $1000 however, is substantial and this has caused some controversy within the Chinese community as to this amount as well consideration for affected visitors as to the length of visa they will seek. 
 
Visa applicants in China will be able to lodge the visitor visa applications in Chinese through the new online service provided by Australian Visa Application Centres (AVACs). This visa is suited to Chinese travellers who need to travel frequently to and for short-term stays in Australia. 
 
Chinese passport holders wishing to apply for this visa must first make an appointment to provide biometrics identifiers (fingerprints and photograph) at an Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) in China before lodging an application which is then an online process.

Pros of new 10-year visitor visa for PRC nationals
 
  • The visa can be approved for up to 10 years 
  • China is already the largest source of tourism to the Australian economy, the introduction of the new 10-year visa will translate to significant benefits to the tourism economy 
  • Reinforces international relations which is aligned with the China - Australia Free Trade Agreement. 
  • New online lodgment system designed to simplify the process & reduce red tape whilst maintaining integrity of the system- applications can be lodged in Chinese online and will be translated for processing
 
Cons new 10-year visitor visa for PRC nationals
 
  • High government charge of AUD 1000 
  • Only a limited number of these trial visas are available (number of availability not currently clarified) 
  • 3 month stay maximum every entry, maximum cumulative stay of no more than 12 months in a 2 year period. 
  • No clarity at this stage on how immigration expects applicants to show that they have 'committed long term plans for frequent short-term travel to Australia'. 
 
The government has given the Department of Immigration a degree of control over this visa through the imposing certain conditions/restrictions on the visa grant. These include restrictions that 1) allow the minister to request a 600 visa holder under the Frequent Traveller stream to under a new medical check at any time, 2) requires a 600 visa holder to update Immigration with any change of contact details including phone number, online profile, e-mail and address, and 3) restrict the visa holder from making any further visa applications other than a protection visa.
 
It will be interesting to see the developments over the next few weeks, particularly in relation to the number of trial visas available and whether Immigration requires additional evidence from the applications to justify the need of a 10-year tourist visa. As the number of visa availability is limited, it may be a 'first in first serve basis' similar to when the working holiday visa program was introduced to PRC nationals, where the 3000 spots were filled within 2 - 3 days after the program release.

Countries / Territories

  • AustraliaAustralia
  • ChinaChina

Related offices

  • Beijing
  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Shanghai
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Beijing
  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Shanghai
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Beijing
  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Shanghai
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Games Industry: What the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration White Paper Mean for the UK Games Industry

Director Laurence Keir-Thomas outlines how recent changes to UK immigration and industrial policy may affect talent planning and hiring across the games sector.

Learn more

Video

Grace Period for Submission of Documents for Temporary Residence Permits Eliminated in Portugal | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Senior Consultant Ada Plant discusses how Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) no longer accepts incomplete temporary residence applications.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole Named to Citywealth Leaders List 2025

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is named to the prestigious Citywealth Leaders List 2025, which recognises leading professionals in wealth management and private client services.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Irish Times: AI Technologies Being Used in Effort to Reduce Risk of Fraud in Immigration Process Department of Justice Says New Tools Are Not Used for Application Decision-Making

Partner Ángel Bello Cortés discusses how Ireland’s Department of Justice is rolling out AI tools to reduce fraud risks in the immigration process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Insider: How Trump's Immigration Crackdown is Reshaping Financial Industry Hiring, Travel, and Dealmaking

Partner Isha Atassi discusses the impact of immigration policy changes on financial firms’ global mobility and workforce planning.

Learn more

Blog post

Charting a Course: Securing Space-Sector Talent Amid UK Immigration Reforms

Director Laxmi Limbani discusses strategies for securing talent in the UK space sector amid recent immigration reforms.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 APAC and Europe Immigration Trends: Shared Goals, Diverging Tools

This blog highlights the most significant immigration trends across both Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC) in 2025.

Learn more

Video

Canada Express Entry Explained: Who’s Eligible and How to Apply

In this video, Partner Jack Kim explains how Canada’s Express Entry system works.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen, Julia Onslow-Cole Shortlisted for FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards

Fragomen and Partner Julia Onslow-Cole are shortlisted for the FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards.

Learn more

Media mentions

Leading Britain's Conversation: UK Businesses Urged to Act Fast as Immigration Reforms Clash With Industrial Strategy

Associate Aisha Shahid highlights how upcoming UK immigration reforms may impact key sectors and urges businesses to prepare.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger Named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Law

Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger are named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Law list.

Learn more

Blog post

Private Client Options in APAC: Bespoke Services and Residency Planning

Business Immigration Manager Yvonne Lee and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Shirley Kock discuss bespoke services and residency planning options for private clients in the Asia-Pacific region.

Learn more

Media mentions

Games Industry: What the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration White Paper Mean for the UK Games Industry

Director Laurence Keir-Thomas outlines how recent changes to UK immigration and industrial policy may affect talent planning and hiring across the games sector.

Learn more

Video

Grace Period for Submission of Documents for Temporary Residence Permits Eliminated in Portugal | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Senior Consultant Ada Plant discusses how Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) no longer accepts incomplete temporary residence applications.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole Named to Citywealth Leaders List 2025

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is named to the prestigious Citywealth Leaders List 2025, which recognises leading professionals in wealth management and private client services.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Irish Times: AI Technologies Being Used in Effort to Reduce Risk of Fraud in Immigration Process Department of Justice Says New Tools Are Not Used for Application Decision-Making

Partner Ángel Bello Cortés discusses how Ireland’s Department of Justice is rolling out AI tools to reduce fraud risks in the immigration process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Insider: How Trump's Immigration Crackdown is Reshaping Financial Industry Hiring, Travel, and Dealmaking

Partner Isha Atassi discusses the impact of immigration policy changes on financial firms’ global mobility and workforce planning.

Learn more

Blog post

Charting a Course: Securing Space-Sector Talent Amid UK Immigration Reforms

Director Laxmi Limbani discusses strategies for securing talent in the UK space sector amid recent immigration reforms.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 APAC and Europe Immigration Trends: Shared Goals, Diverging Tools

This blog highlights the most significant immigration trends across both Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC) in 2025.

Learn more

Video

Canada Express Entry Explained: Who’s Eligible and How to Apply

In this video, Partner Jack Kim explains how Canada’s Express Entry system works.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen, Julia Onslow-Cole Shortlisted for FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards

Fragomen and Partner Julia Onslow-Cole are shortlisted for the FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards.

Learn more

Media mentions

Leading Britain's Conversation: UK Businesses Urged to Act Fast as Immigration Reforms Clash With Industrial Strategy

Associate Aisha Shahid highlights how upcoming UK immigration reforms may impact key sectors and urges businesses to prepare.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger Named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Law

Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger are named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Law list.

Learn more

Blog post

Private Client Options in APAC: Bespoke Services and Residency Planning

Business Immigration Manager Yvonne Lee and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Shirley Kock discuss bespoke services and residency planning options for private clients in the Asia-Pacific region.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.