Australia is a destination of choice for many international travellers, whether on holiday or on business. However, it is essential to familiarise yourself with the procedures for entering and staying in the country. In this article, we'll look at the eVisitor: what it is, who it's for and how to obtain it.
What is an eVisitor?
Le eVisitor (subclass 651) is a type of electronic visa issued by the Australian government to nationals of certain countries participating in the programme. It allows travel to Australia for tourism, to visit friends and family, and for certain business activities for a maximum stay of three months (90 days).
Why choose an eVisitor?
The main advantage of the eVisitor is that it is quick and easy to obtain. This authorisation is generally granted within a few days, or even hours, of application and is electronically integrated into your passport. What's more, the eVisitor can be applied for directly online, without the need to visit an Australian embassy or consulate. It is valid for multiple entries into Australia for a period of 12 months from the date of issue or until the expiry of your passport if it expires before the end of the 12 months.
eVisitor eligibility requirements
To qualify for an eVisitor, you need to meet certain conditions:
- Be a national of one of the eligible countries.
- A valid passport.
- Travel for reasons authorised by this type of visa.
Countries eligible for eVisitor
Here is the full list of countries where you can obtain an eVisitor:
- Germany
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Croatia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Norway
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Czech Republic
- Romania
- United Kingdom
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Portugal
- Sweden
- Switzerland
What about transit?
The eVisitor will allow you to transit through Australia.
How do I get an eVisitor?
To apply for an eVisitor, simply visit the official Australian government website and follow the procedure. Here are the main steps:
- Create an ImmiAccount if you don't already have one.
- Log in to your ImmiAccount and select "New application".
- Select the "Visitor Visa (subclass 651)" option.
- Fill in the information requested about your identity, your background and the reason for your visit.
- Check the information entered and submit the application online.
It is important to note that the application must be made in English and must be accompanied by a scanned copy of the passport. In general, a reply is given within a few days, although this may vary depending on the security checks carried out by the Australian authorities.
Fees and period of validity of the eVisitor
One of the major advantages of the eVisitor is its free. Unlike other types of visa for Australia, there are no fees to pay to obtain this authorisation.
As for its period of validity, as mentioned above, the eVisitor is valid for 12 months, with several entries possible for stays of up to 90 consecutive days each time.
To sum up: do I need an eVisitor?
To find out whether you need an eVisitor to transit through Australia, check whether you meet the eligibility requirements set out above. If you do, this eVisa is a convenient, fast and free option to help you make the most of your stay in the country. However, if your travel plans include paid work or a stay of more than 90 days, you will need to consider other types of visa for these situations.
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