Almost every Nepali in Australia dreams of bringing their parents over — even for a short visit. But the process can feel overwhelming, especially with Australia's fully online application system and stricter digital documentation checks in 2026. This guide walks you through everything step by step, in plain language, so you can help your parents apply with confidence.
Which visa do your parents need?
Your parents need the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) — Tourist Stream. This allows them to visit Australia for tourism, family visits, or short leisure trips. It does not allow any paid work. Nepali passport holders cannot enter Australia without a pre-approved visa — there is no visa-on-arrival option.
- →Stay duration: Usually granted for 3, 6, or 12 months depending on circumstances.
- →Multiple entries: Some grants allow multiple entries within the visa validity period.
- →No work rights: The visa strictly prohibits any paid employment in Australia.
- →No Medicare: Visitors are not eligible for Medicare — travel insurance is essential.
What's changed in 2026?
- →Fully online only: All applications must be lodged through ImmiAccount — paper applications are no longer accepted for the tourist stream.
- →Stricter digital document checks: The Department of Home Affairs uses enhanced automated checks on uploaded documents, so quality and completeness matter more than ever.
- →Biometrics required: Every applicant must complete biometric collection (fingerprints and face photograph) at VFS Global in Kathmandu — this is mandatory for each new application.
- →Updated fee: The base application fee is AUD $190 for a standard 3–6 month stay, or AUD $380 for the 12-month variant. Fees are paid online and are non-refundable even if refused.
Documents your parents need (from Nepal side)
- →Valid Nepali passport — must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended travel dates, with at least 2 blank pages.
- →Recent passport-sized photograph — white background, taken within the last 6 months.
- →Bank statements — at least 6 months of recent statements from your parents' Nepali bank account showing a consistent savings history.
- →Income or pension proof — salary slips, business registration, pension documents, or land ownership papers. The goal is to show they have ties to Nepal and a reason to return.
- →Property documents — land ownership certificates or house papers that demonstrate strong ties to Nepal.
- →Police clearance certificate — from the Nepal Police or District Administration Office.
- →Health examination — may be requested depending on age and health history. Applicants over 75 are almost always asked for a medical exam.
- →Travel insurance — not technically mandatory but very strongly recommended, and its absence can weaken the application.
Documents you prepare (from Australia side)
As the person inviting your parents, you play a critical role in strengthening their application. The Department wants to see that someone in Australia is genuinely supporting and expecting them.
- →Invitation letter — a personal letter addressed to the Department of Home Affairs stating who you are, your relationship to the applicant, why you're inviting them, how long they'll stay, and where they'll live during the visit.
- →Proof of your Australian status — copy of your visa grant notice, PR card, or citizenship certificate.
- →Your financial evidence — recent Australian bank statements (3–6 months), payslips, or tax return showing you can support their stay. This is especially important if you're covering their expenses.
- →Proof of relationship — birth certificate, family register (nagarikta), or other official documents showing the parent-child relationship.
- →Accommodation details — proof of where your parents will stay (your rental agreement, mortgage documents, or hotel booking if applicable).
- →Statutory declaration (Form 1257) — a formal declaration of your support, signed before a JP or authorised witness. Not always required but significantly strengthens the application.
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The invitation letter is one of the most important documents. Write it personally — don't use a generic template. Mention specific plans: 'My parents will attend my graduation ceremony on 15 August' or 'They want to meet their grandchild for the first time.' Real, specific reasons are far more convincing than vague statements.
Step-by-step application process
- →Step 1 — Create an ImmiAccount: Go to the Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount portal and create an account using your parents' email address. You can do this on their behalf.
- →Step 2 — Start the application: Select 'New application → Visitor → Visitor Visa (600)' and choose the Tourist Stream. Fill in personal details, travel plans, and health declarations.
- →Step 3 — Upload all documents: Scan and upload every document in clear, legible quality. Blurry or cropped scans can delay processing. PDF format is preferred, each file under 5 MB.
- →Step 4 — Pay the fee online: AUD $190 for a standard stay. Payment is by credit/debit card through the portal. The fee is non-refundable.
- →Step 5 — Book biometrics at VFS Kathmandu: After submitting the application, your parents will receive a biometrics request letter. They must visit VFS Global in Kathmandu to provide fingerprints and a face photograph. Biometrics fee is approximately NPR 1,872 plus courier costs.
- →Step 6 — Wait for a decision: Processing typically takes 2–8 weeks, though complex cases can take longer. You can track the status in ImmiAccount. Do not book flights until the visa is granted.
- →Step 7 — Visa grant: If approved, the visa is linked electronically to your parents' passport — there is no physical visa sticker. Download and print the grant letter for travel.
Tips to maximise approval chances
- →Show strong ties to Nepal: The most common reason for refusal is the Department believing the applicant won't return. Property ownership, ongoing employment or pension, other family members still in Nepal, and community commitments all help demonstrate ties.
- →Provide more evidence than required: Over-documenting is better than under-documenting. Include everything that supports the genuine, temporary nature of the visit.
- →Don't hide previous visa refusals: If your parents have been refused an Australian or any other visa before, declare it honestly. The Department already has this information — hiding it causes automatic refusal.
- →Get travel insurance: While not mandatory, having travel insurance shows the applicant is a responsible, prepared traveller. It also protects your family from massive medical bills if something goes wrong.
- →Avoid applying too far in advance: Apply 2–3 months before the intended travel date. Applying 6+ months early can look suspicious and may result in a shorter visa validity.
- →Book refundable flights only: Never book non-refundable flights before the visa is granted. If you need to show a travel itinerary, use a dummy booking or a refundable fare.
Common mistakes that lead to refusal
- →Insufficient financial evidence — showing a single large deposit right before applying instead of a consistent savings history. The Department looks for genuine, ongoing funds, not a last-minute lump sum.
- →Vague or templated invitation letter — generic letters that read like they were copied from the internet. A personal, specific letter is far more effective.
- →Missing relationship proof — forgetting to include documents proving the actual parent-child relationship, such as a birth certificate or family nagarikta.
- →Poor document quality — blurry scans, cropped pages, or documents in Nepali without certified English translations. All non-English documents must have NAATI-certified translations.
- →Not declaring previous refusals — withholding information about past visa refusals in any country is grounds for automatic refusal and can affect future applications.
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All documents in Nepali — including bank statements, nagarikta, birth certificates, and property papers — must be accompanied by certified English translations. Use a NAATI-certified translator in Australia or a recognised translation service in Nepal. Untranslated documents may be ignored by the case officer.
Costs breakdown
- →Visa application fee: AUD $190 (standard 3–6 month) or AUD $380 (12-month).
- →Biometrics at VFS Kathmandu: approximately NPR 1,872 plus courier NPR 600–1,200.
- →Health examination (if requested): NPR 5,000–15,000 depending on the panel doctor and tests required.
- →NAATI-certified document translations: approximately AUD $30–60 per document.
- →Travel insurance: AUD $150–400 depending on age, duration, and coverage level.
- →Total realistic budget: approximately AUD $400–700 per parent, excluding flights.
After the visa is granted
- →Print the visa grant letter and carry it during travel, even though the visa is electronic.
- →Book flights only after the visa is granted — compare fares on Nepal Airlines, Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines, and Singapore Airlines for the best deals.
- →Arrange travel insurance if not already done — this is essential, as visitors are not covered by Medicare.
- →Register your parents' arrival with the Nepali Embassy in Canberra if staying for an extended period.
- →Make sure they carry their return ticket details and your Australian address and phone number at immigration.
Need help with other aspects of settling in Australia? Browse our complete library of guides for the Nepali community.
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