Applications for Australian Visas

• The tourist visa for tourism purposes
• The business trip visa for professional purposes

Depending on your nationality, the visitor visas can be granted electronically (European citizens for example) or by lodging a proper application (citizens of « risky » countries such as India, Philippines).

Tourist Visa

The tourist visas are the quickest and cheapest options to be able to travel to Australia and stay up to one year (see details of maximum stay below). Tourist visas are for people who come to visit Australia or improve their English through language courses. In any case this type of visa is not appropriate for those who want to work in Australia.
Note that you have to apply abroad for your visa but it could be renewed onshore under certain conditions.


See below 4 different forms of Visitor visas that may be applicable to your next visit in Australia:

• Tourist Visa: All passport holders / up to 3, 6 or 12 months
  
• Electronic eVisitor (tourism): Limited to European passport holders / to 3 months
  
• Electronic Travel Authority (ETA): In particular for US, Canada and HK residents / up to 3 months
  
• The above visas can be applied for on DIAC website or through travel agents.
  
• Sponsored Family Visa: Sponsored by an Australian citizen or a permanent resident / up to 12 months

Back to VISAS

• Tourist Visa (SubClass 676)
  
  The tourist visa (SubClass 676) is what you need if you are planning a trip to Australia for holiday or to take in the local sights and scenery. It includes social and recreational reasons for visiting Australia, such as visiting family or friends. This is a short-term visa which does not give holders the right to work in Australia.
  
  You may be entitled to study in Australia for a maximum period of three months. This visa allows you to stay in Australia for a period of 3, 6 or 12 months and can include single or multiple entries. The duration for your visa will depend upon your purpose for travelling to Australia. When this visa expires, you must leave Australia. If not, you will become an illegal immigrant and may face issues (deportation/ bar of entry to Australia for a certain period of time).
  
  Note that this type of Visitor Visa is the most expensive and costs AUD 105.





• ETA: Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 976)
  
  This is an electronically stored authority allowing visitors to enter Australia for a period of up to 3 months each time over a twelve months period, for holidays, tourism and recreational reasons.
  
  
  
  
  
  However, this type of visa is only available to passport holders from certain countries, including most European countries, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, the UK and the USA.
  For a detailed list of eligible countries, please see the Australian government Immigration website or contact your travel agent or airline for more information. Note that the ETA costs AUD 20.






• eVisitor (Subclass 651)
  
  This visa has no application charges and is designed for European passport holders who wish to visit Australia for holiday/recreation or business purposes – Evisitor Business visa – for up to 3 months each time over a period of twelve months. If travelling with family, each member of the family must hold their own e-visitor.
  
  
  All applications for this type of visa must be lodged abroad through the immigration website or a travel agent.
  Note that the Evisitor Business visa enables the holder to undertake business trips to Australia.
  Business trip does not mean work . This may include voluntary work, attending conferences or business negotiations, or exploratory travel for possible future business in Australia.






• Sponsored Family Visitor visa (Subclass 679)



This is a visa designed particularly for tourists coming to visit family or relatives in Australia, for a period of up to 12 months. Each holder will need to be sponsored by a member of their family (in Australia) to be eligible to apply, and that family member must be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia, in order to sponsor.

This Australian sponsor is required to ensure that the sponsoree complies with all conditions of the visa and to take financial responsibility for them for the duration of the stay. The sponsoree also has the right to study for up to 3 months while holding a Sponsored Family Visitor Visa.

Check what type of visa you need to come to Australia with the Visa Wizard of the Immigration Website



Immigrations laws change very quickly.
We are not immigration agents and cannot be held responsible if our informations are not entirely up-to-date.
To find out more, you can visit the immigration website or contact an immigration lawyer.

Back to VISAS