Planning a trip to Australia involves checking whether you need a visa. Most travelers require an Australia Visitor Visa(subclass 600), but citizens of certain countries have options like the Australia ETA and the Australia eVisitor Visa. This guide helps you understand which visa you need.
What is an Australia eVisitor Visa?
The Australia eVisitor (subclass 651) is an electronic visa designed for short-term tourism and business visits. It caters primarily to passport holders from European countries.
This visa is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. During this time, you’re allowed to enter Australia multiple times, with each stay capped at up to three months per visit.
The eVisitor Visa permits travel for activities like tourism, business meetings, or short-term training, but it doesn’t grant permission to work. If you intend to study, the maximum study duration under this visa is limited to three months.
Learn more about the Australia eVisitor Visa
What is an Australia ETA?
The Australia ETA (subclass 601) serves a similar purpose but caters to a broader range of countries. This visa is available to passport holders from countries like the US, Canada, Japan, Singapore, and other specified nations.
Like the eVisitor, the ETA is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance and allows multiple entries, with each visit lasting up to three months. With an ETA, you can visit Australia for tourism, business visitor activities, or to attend short-term events.
However, it also comes with restrictions and does not allow paid work or employment. Any studying is limited to three months.
Learn more about the Australia ETA
What do I need: the Australia eVisitor Visa or the ETA?
The key distinction between the ETA and the eVisitor Visa lies in eligibility. If you’re a citizen of an eligible European Union (EU) country, the eVisitor Visa is the appropriate option.
On the other hand, if you’re traveling from countries like the US, Canada, or Japan, the ETA is the right choice. Both visas have similar benefits, including the same validity period and maximum stay per visit, but your eligibility depends on your nationality.
To make the right decision, you can go to our website homepage and enter your home country details. A page will open up that shows you which Australian visa you can apply for.
iVisa pro tip: If you’re eligible for both the eVisitor and ETA, you should know that the eVisitor is free, while the ETA has a small fee. Choose accordingly based on your travel plans and convenience.
How to apply for an Australia eVisitor Visa or ETA with us
Step 1:On our website or the iVisa app, provide your personal information and travel details.
Step 2:Check for any errors in the information you’ve provided. Choose the processing time that fits your travel needs, and pay the visa and service fees.
Step 3:Finish the application and upload any required documents.
We’ll email your approved visa when it’s ready. We recommend keeping a digital copy and printing one for your travels.
Why apply with iVisa?
At iVisa, we've been simplifying visa processes for more than 10 years. We're here to make the Australia ETA application hassle-free and boost your chances of acceptance.
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Fast & easy: Apply for your Australia ETA faster than the government process, with fewer steps, no face scanning, and no security codes required.
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Fill out the application in your native language: iVisa offers multi-language applications if English isn’t your first language.
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Take your time: You can pause your application and resume whenever you want without losing your progress.
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Speak to an actual person, not a bot: We have human customer service agents available 24/7.
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Easily scan your documents: You can upload your passport information with iVisa and don’t need an NFC-enabled phone. Plus, our team reviews your applications to ensure everything complies with government standards.
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Use the payment method that suits you: We accept Paypal, Venmo, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and all major credit/debit cards. Government sites will typically only offer credit/debit card options.
If you have questions about the Australia eVisitor Visa or ETA or need assistance with your application, our customer service team is available to help you out. Contact us via WhatsApp or iVisa chat.