New visa for Singaporeans boosts inbound

SINGAPOREANS will have exclusive access to a new long-term, multiple-entry visa option by January 1, 2018, aimed at boosting business and leisure travel to Australia.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the Visitor (Subclass 600) visa would allow travellers to visit Australia for up to three months at a time, over a six-year period, with a single application.

During an official visit to Singapore Mr Turnbull made the visa announcement alongside Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, when he also introduced a new reciprocal Work and Holiday Maker program to start on August 1 this year.

“With up to 500 places per year, the program will allow young people from Australia and Singapore to undertake short term work or study,” Mr Turnbull said..

Last financial year, more than 230,000 visitor visas were granted to travellers from Singapore, up 16 percent compared with 2015.

“These new visa arrangements will further boost tourism and business links between Australia and Singapore,” Mr Turnbull said. “It will make it easier for people to come to Australia to visit friends and family while also enabling business operators to conduct regular meetings or attend conferences in Australia.

“These announcements build on the Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”

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