Short Stay Visas

ETA, E-Visitor, Visitor Visa

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ETA, E-Visitor, Visitor Visa

ETA (601): A digital travel authority for frequent short visits; approvals are usually immediate and applicants must use the Australian ETA app to apply.
eVisitor (651): A free short-stay visa for many European passport holders allowing visits for sightseeing or business for up to 3 months per visit.
Visitor visa (600): A broader visitor visa for tourism, visiting family or certain business activities; offers more flexibility in length and streams for different circumstances.

Who is eligible

ETA: Only holders of certain passport nationalities; application via the ETA app is required for ETA-eligible passports.
eVisitor: Primarily for European passport holders (check exact eligible countries).
Visitor 600: Available to applicants who are not eligible for ETA/eVisitor or who need a longer/more specific stay; eligibility depends on stream and individual circumstances.

Duration, entry and work rights

Duration: ETA and eVisitor typically permit stays up to 3 months per entry; Visitor 600 can permit longer stays (3, 6 or sometimes 12 months) depending on the stream and decision-maker discretion.
Multiple entries: ETA usually allows multiple entries within a 12-month period; check visa details for eVisitor and Visitor 600 as conditions vary.
Work: These visitor categories do not generally allow paid work; limited unpaid or incidental business activity may be permitted—confirm specific conditions before travel.

Cost and processing

ETA: Service charge for using the Australian ETA app (AUD 20); in many cases outcome is immediate.
eVisitor: Free to apply; processing is typically fast for eligible European passport holders.
Visitor 600: Standard visa application charge applies and processing times vary by country and application completeness.

How to apply (quick steps)

Check which visa you are eligible for (ETA app eligibility lists, eVisitor countries, or Visitor 600 streams).
For ETA: apply using the Australian ETA app (pay the service charge).
For eVisitor: apply online through ImmiAccount if eligible (no fee).
For Visitor 600: lodge the appropriate stream online via ImmiAccount and provide requested documents and payment.
Await the decision and comply with any health/character requests.

Practical tips

Confirm passport nationality eligibility before preparing documents.
If you need a stay longer than 3 months or have circumstances that disqualify you from ETA/eVisitor, apply for Visitor 600.
Keep proof of onward travel, sufficient funds, and any invitation or business documents handy for the application.
Check the Department of Home Affairs site or ImmiAccount for current fees and any country-specific guidance before applying

Why Book a Consultation?
A personalized consultation can help determine

Whether you currently meet the criteria for any visa
What steps you can take to become eligible
How to strategically plan your application for visa approval

Other Visas

Short Stay

Australia offers several short-term visa options tailored to specific activities like sports, entertainment, specialized work, and cultural programs. These visas are highly specialized and often require sponsorship or nomination.

Here’s a breakdown of the key short-term visa categories and what they cover:

Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)

The Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) allows young adults from eligible countries to travel and work in Australia for up to 12 months, with the possibility of extending their stay.

Purpose and Benefits

Designed for young adults aged 18 to 35 (depending on country) from eligible countries.
Enables travel and short-term work in Australia to fund your holiday.
Encourages cultural exchange and strengthens ties between Australia and participating countries.

Eligibility Requirements

Must hold a passport from an eligible country.
Must be outside Australia when applying.
Not accompanied by dependent children.
Meet educational qualifications (varies by country).
Provide evidence of functional English.
Obtain a letter of support from your government (for some countries).
Show proof of sufficient funds (generally around AUD 5,000 plus return airfare).

Visa Duration and Extensions

Initial stay: Up to 12 months.
Second and third visas: Possible by completing specified work in regional Australia (e.g., tourism, agriculture, hospitality).
Each extension allows for an additional 12 months, up to a maximum of 3 years total.

Work and Study Rights

You can:

Work to support your stay (usually up to 6 months per employer).
Study for up to 4 months.

Work must not be the primary purpose of your visit.

Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408)

This is the most versatile short-term visa for specific activities. It includes multiple streams:

Entertainment stream: For film, television, or live performances.
Sporting stream: For athletes, coaches, and officials participating in events or training.
Invited participant stream: For those invited by an Australian organization to participate in events.
Research stream: For academic collaboration or observation.
Religious work stream: For full-time religious roles.
Superyacht crew stream: For crew members working on superyachts.
Domestic work stream: For domestic workers in senior foreign executive households.
Special programs stream: For youth exchange, cultural enrichment, or community benefit programs.

Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa (Subclass 400)

For highly specialized, short-term work that is not ongoing.
Typically used for roles requiring unique skills or knowledge not readily available in Australia.
Duration: Up to 3 months (or 6 months in exceptional cases).
Requires evidence of the specialized nature of the work and its short-term necessity.

Key Requirements Across These Visas