Australian Visas, eVisitor, Tourist Visa, Embassy

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You think of the idea of travelling to Australia? First of all you need a passport which is valid for the whole time of your travel. Everyone who likes to visit Australia needs a visa, except Australian citizen and nationals of New Zealand. You get your visa at the Australian Embassy which is responsible for your country of residence. Australia has a big number of different visa categories available. Also the criteria and conditions for the applicants are manifold. So the following list contains only the most common visa categories with some basic information. Please check with your Australian Embassy your up to date and detailed conditions to apply for a visa for Australia.

A convenient kind of visa for tourist and business people is the Australian eVisitor visa. It is valid for one year, provides multiple entry, but every single visit to Australia is restricted to a maximum stay of three month. It is not allowed to work in Australia. You get an eVisitor visa online via the internet and it is free of charge. You don’t get a label or stamp in your passport, the eVisitor visa is electronically stored. The data will be checked by the immigration officer when you enter Australia. But also your airline will check that you hold a valid Australian visa before you get on the plane to Down Under. To apply for an Australian eVisitor visa you must be a national of the following countries:

* Only for British citizen from Great Britain. British nationals who hold a British National Overseas (BNO) passport can not apply for an eVisitor visa for Australia.

Here an important advice: The eVisitor visa is linked to the passport number which you have used in your application. Make sure the validity of your passport is adequate for the whole time of your travel and you travel with the passport used in your visa application.

All details and information about the eVisitor visa are provided by the Australian immigration authorities on their website.

eVisitor information (Australian immigration authorities)

Apply for an Australian eVisitor Visa

The ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) visa is available through travel agents and airlines. There are different ETA categories. For tourist the ETA visa contains similar regulations like the eVisitor visa. Business people can get an ETA visa (with costs) for the duration of validity of their passport (maximum ten years). The visa allows multiple entries to Australia, but each stay must not exceed more than three month. Some travel agents provide ETA visas free of charge for their customers, others will evaluate a fee.

This category offers also the possibility to apply for a visa while staying as a tourist in Australia and you like to extend you journey. That is with costs and you should apply early enough before your granted visa runs out of validity. Most Australian visa can be only requested when the applicant is outside Australia. Tourist visa (Subclass 676) can be granted for a stay up to 12 month. You can get your visa online or by mail with a stamp in your Passport.

Information about Tourist Visa (Subclass 676)

People of an age between 18 and 30 years can apply for a Working Holiday Visa. The applicant can stay up to 12 month in Australia. It is allowed to study for up to 4 month or do further education. The applicant can combine holiday and work. The working time must not exceed 6 month. This visa is available to national of certain countries only. There are a few obligations as well. Please check the up to date information of the Australian Immigration authority.

Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) information

Australia provides a big number of other visas for example for workers, for immigrants as qualified workforce, for immigrants with the intension of family reunion, for students, for sailors, for pensioners and lots more. The website of the Australian Embassies and the Department of Immigration provides all up to date information. You can check a list of visa application charges as well as you find forms to download. Click here to find websites of Australian Embassies and Consulates worldwide.

Consider that obligations and laws can change under current circumstances. Check with your Australian embassy in charged the up to date visa regulations. Make your inquiry well ahead of time to avoid discomfort.

Last update of "Walter-in-Australia.com:
Wednesday 1st of September 2010


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