Australian ETA Visa: Are You Eligible for One?

The Australian Travel Authority or ETA is equivalent to an Australian visa. The only difference is, there's no need to visit a diplomatic office to submit your application. It can be done through a travel agency, an airline or over the Internet.

Online applications take as little as 30 minutes to as much as 12 hours to get approved. The Australian ETA visa is issued electronically. There will be no stamp or label on your passport. Approved applications are recorded in the Australian Government systems. Airline check-in staff can electronically confirm your ETA.

There are two types of Australian ETA. The visitor ETA is for travellers out on holiday, tourism, to visit friends and relatives. These are either single or multiple entries, valid up to 12 months with 3 months stay per visit. The short validity Business ETA is for those travelling for business, conventions or conferences. It is also valid for 12 months with up to 3 months of stay per visit. Employment is prohibited for the visitor ETA and short-term work is allowed for the business ETA if the work cannot be done by an Australian citizen.

Who Can Get an ETA?

ETA is only available to residents outside Australia . There is also a limit to passports that are ETA-eligible, it includes the following: Canada

Brunei

Hong Kong

Japan

Singapore

South Korea

Malaysia

USA

Holders of UK British National (Overseas) (GBN) passports are eligible for an Australian ETA. However, it cannot be processed over the Internet by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website. The processing can be arranged by an Australian visa office, a travel agent or an airline.

If you are not eligible for an Australia ETA, there are alternatives such as eVisitor or an e676 Tourist Visa.