Australian visa system

The Australian Government decided to facilitate the process of visa application by introducing the electronic visa system in 2008. Since then, eligible travelers can obtain a short-term visa to Australia entirely online.

Australia offers two different types of electronic visas- ETA and eVisitor. Both these electronic travel authorizations are obtainable online. What differs ETA and eVisitor is the list of eligible countries.

The application for an Australian eVisa should be submitted online at least 3 business days (72 business hours) prior to the planned trip to Australia. Applicants need to cover the service fee of 49 EUR (for both Australian online visa types).

Australia visa types

Depending on the applicant's nationality, Australia distinguishes the following two eVisa types:

  • ETA subclass 601: available for citizens of 8 particular countries
  • eVisitor subclass 651: dedicated to EU nationals

Both Australian ETA and eVisitor are issued for one year and are automatically linked to the applicant's passport.

A holder of ETA or eVisitor may use it for numerous entries to the country while staying even for up to 90 days (3 months) each time. The purpose of visiting Australia must be related to either tourism, business, or tranist.

types

How can travelers use the Australian eVisa?

  • tourism: family or friend reunions, all-kind leisure activities, exploring Australia's tourist sites, spending vacation time there.
  • business: business conferences or meetings, training, contract negotiations, visiting Australian business partners.
  • transit: making a transit stop on the way to another destination.

Important note: eVisa to Australia is digitally assigned to your passport, which means that you do not need to print your visa out and show its physical copy when crossing the Australian borders.

Online application

No matter what type of Australian visa you are eligible for, both the eVisitor and ETA application process require the same steps to follow. The only document that you need to prepare will be your valid passport.


Grab your working electronic device connected to the Internet and start your visa application. First of all, indicate your travel purpose and choose your nationality.

Next, you will need to follow three steps more:

  1. Click the 'Apply online' button and provide all the required data, including some personal details, passport information, and your active email address. Make sure that you have not made any mistake, and only then go to the next step.

  2. Cover the service fee of 49 EUR using one of the available methods of online payment.

  3. Check your email inbox for the confirmation number and the approval of your Australian visa. The processing of your application may take up to 72 business hours, but your approved visa will likely arrive even on the same day.

Australian visa requirements

For a successful application, every applicant will need to have:

  • a valid means of online payment to cover the service fee
  • an active email address to receive the PDF file with an Australian visa
  • an Internet-accessed working electronic device to complete the online application process

NECESSARY DOCUMENTS

Online application both for the Australian ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) and eVisitor visa requires applicants to have a valid passport. What is important, the passport cannot expire for at least 180 days (6 months) from the intended date you plan to enter Australia.

Australian online Visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authority is directly linked with the applicant's passport. Therefore, you need to make sure that the passport used in your online application will remain valid for your entire stay in Australia. Moreover, you should remember that any change of your passport data will make your electronic visa invalid.

Apply for ETA

List of eligible countries

ETA

Brunei - Darussalam Canada Hong Kong
Japan Singapore South Korea
the United States Malaysia

eVisitor

Andorra Austria Vatican City (Holy See)
Belgium Brunei Bulgaria
Canada Croatia Cyprus
Czech Republic Denmark Estonia
Finland France Germany
Greece Hong Kong Hungary
Iceland Ireland Italy
Japan Korea, South Latvia
Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg
Malaysia Malta Monaco
Netherlands Norway Poland
Portugal San Marino Singapore
Slovakia Slovenia Spain
Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom
United States of America

Applicants from countries not included on the above list will need to visit the nearest Australian Embassy and apply for a regular embassy visa.

Transit through Australia

Travelers who wish to transit through the Australian territory, regardless of the planned duration of a transit stop, need to obtain an Australian visa.

Choose 'transit' as your travel purpose and go through the intuitive and straightforward application process described above.

Important information

  • Depending on your nationality, you may be eligible for either ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) or an eVisitor visa.
  • Online application needs to be submitted at least 72 business hours before the planned trip to receive the approved visa on time.
  • Double-check all the entered information in your application form before submitting it further to avoid unnecessary delays.
  • Contact our support team any time you encounter some visa-related issues.
  • Do remember to apply for separate Australian visas for every child accompanying you to Australia.
  • You must be outside the Australian territory when submitting an online application.
  • You cannot obtain an eVisa upon arrival in Australia.