eVisitor visa for Australia

What is the eVisitor visa for Australia? (subclass 651)

The eVisitor Australia is an online travel permit. The visa eliminates the need to go to an embassy or consulate to apply in person.

The eVisitor authorization was introduced in 2008 to create a mutual short-stay travel arrangement between Australia and the European Union.

The eVisitor visa (subclass 651) for Australia is available online for citizens of European Countries.

Tourists and business travellers who are not eligible for the eVisitor can apply for either an ETA online, or an Australia visitor visa online or from a consulate or embassy, depending on their nationality.

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Countries eligible for an Visitor visa

Citizens from the following countries can apply online for the eVisitor visa (subclass 651) for Australia:

Requirements for an eVisitor Australia

You must meet the eVisitor requirements before applying for an Australian visa.

To begin the application process you need:

To apply for an eVisitor, applicants must complete an online form with their personal details and the data from the passport information page, including country of birth, passport number and expiry date.

Before the eVisitor can be approved, the applicant must also meet the Health and Character requirements for Australia. These involve not having a health condition that poses a public risk or burden to the Australian community, and not having a serious criminal record or having served jail time.

Additional family members cannot be included on an individual’s AustraliaGoVisa application. A separate application must be made for each family member who requires the eVisitor visa.

What you can do with the eVisitor

The eVisitor visa for Australia allows the following travel purposes:

Paid work in Australia is not permitted with the eVisitor visa, although the holder may work in an unpaid volunteer role. The eVisitor for Australia does allow the holder to study for up to 3 months, or receive professional training, but only if the studies are not the main reason for visiting.

*The definition of "business visitor activity" is defined in the Migration Regulations 1994:

(a) means any of the following activities undertaken by a person: (i) making a general business or employment enquiry; (ii) investigating, negotiating, entering into, or reviewing a business contract; (iii) an activity carried out as part of an official government-to-government visit; (iv) participation in a conference, trade fair or seminar in Australia unless the person is being paid by an organiser for participation; but (b) does not include either of the following activities: (i) an activity that is, or includes, undertaking work for, or supplying services to, an organisation or other person based in Australia; (ii) an activity that is, or includes, the sale of goods or services directly to the general public.

Note: An example for paragraph (b) is making a general business enquiry of an organisation based in Australia and also undertaking work for the organisation as part of investigating a business opportunity.

How long you can stay in Australia with an eVisitor

The eVisitor visa Australia permits a consecutive 90-day (3-month) stay in the country.

The eVisitor is also a multiple-entry visa, meaning that the holder can enter and leave the country multiple times until their passport or the eVisitor expires, whichever comes first.

The visa 651 has a total validity of 12 months for entry to Australia. This means that the holder has up to 12 months to use the visa from the date it’s issued.

Travel to Australia with an eVisitor permit

90% of eVisitor visa applications are processed within 24 hours. The applicant will be able to print a copy of the eVisitor Australia once they receive the approved document by email.

Before you travel to Australia

Travellers should make sure they have the passport they used to complete the application, as well as the printed copy of the eVisitor. They can also take a digital copy (i.e. PDF), and it’s also on their record attached to their passport.

At the Australian border

In addition to presenting the printed visa 651 Australia at border control, the visitor will be required to complete an Incoming Passenger Card, which provides passenger identification for non-Australian citizens.

At major Australian international airports, eVisitor Australia holders can use a SmartGate to get through border control faster. This is an automated process which uses the traveller’s biometric passport and facial recognition technology to verify identity.

In Australia

While in the country with the visa 651 for Australia, the visitor is required to inform the Australian Immigration Authority of any changes to their information or situation, such as changes in phone number, email address, relationship status, or the birth of a child. This is also required if they lost their passport - they must notify immediately or as soon as possible.

The eVisitor for Australia will become invalid if the traveller’s passport expires, as it is attached to the current passport. Those with an expired eVisitor visa cannot reapply while in the country and will need to request a different Australia visa type.

Apply for the eVisitor Visa