Australia to grant six-year multiple visas for Singaporeans from 2018

Nationals of Singapore flying to Australia for business or leisure will be issued the Visitor (Subclass 600) visa from 1 January 2018, allowing them to visit Australia multiple times for a maximum of three months at one time over a six-year period. Malcolm Turnbull, Australian Prime Minister, announced this new visa at an official lunch hosted by Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore Prime Minister, on 2 June during his three-day official visit to Singapore. Mr. Turnbull was quoted by The Business Times as saying that Australia was doing everything it could to enable more engagement and forge more connections between the two countries. A new Work and Holiday Visa Programme is also slated to be launched this 1 August to benefit Singaporeans and Australians in the age-group 18-30. This measure will encourage cultural exchange by allowing youngsters to experience each other's country. Education Ministry and Manpower Ministry of Singapore said that the validity of this visa is for one year, with each country earmarking 500 places for citizens of each country every year. The work-holiday visa holders may also participate in study or training for up to four months. The year 2016 saw 400,000 Singapore nationals visiting Australia, while one million Australians headed to Singapore. If you are looking to travel to Australia or Singapore, get in touch with Y-Axis, a leading immigration consultancy company, to apply for a visa.