Australia

Travel requirements

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Australia visa policy

The Australia visa policy was introduced by government to clarify the requirements for entry to the country. If you want to travel to Australia, you need to meet all visa requirements, which depend on many factors, such as nationality, purpose, or length of the trip.

The easiest way is to obtain an Australian Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or eVisitor visa, as the visa application process can be done entirely online. Both visas can be used for tourism, transit, or business-related stays for 90 days and are valid for 12 months.

In case of longer stays or seeking employment in Australia, you need to make an appointment at the embassy or consulate, as a special permit is required. Also, you must have a regular visa if you don’t qualify for the Australia ETA online or eVisitor. Only New Zealand passport holders can receive a special visa on arrival.

Remember to prepare the following documents before you start an application process: a valid passport, a visa application form, valid means of payment, and an Incoming passenger card.

Who can enter Australia?

As proof of two doses of vaccination for COVID-19 is not needed anymore to enter Australia, all eligible travelers (Australian citizens, visitors, permanent residents) can visit and leave the country without an additional permit or testing (conditions may change anytime, so check all the information before your trip).

Remember that you must meet the health and character requirements to obtain the needed documents. It is possible that the visa won’t be granted if you were involved in a crime and have a substantial criminal record or a deadly disease like tuberculosis.

Entry Requirements for Australia

Many types of Australian visas are available depending on the nationalities, length of stay, and travel purpose. When it comes to electronic visas, you can get ETA (Australian travel authorization) or eVisitor visa (both grant multiple entries to the country). To obtain them, you only need a valid passport, a completed visa application form, valid means of payment, and an Incoming passenger card.

In case you are not eligible for Australian ETA/eVisitor or want to stay longer in the country, you must make an appointment at the embassy or consulate and be interviewed there. Note that you can’t be ill; for example, you must be free of tuberculosis.

Documents checklist for entering Australia

New Zealand and Australian passport holders can enjoy a visa free-entry to the country. They only need a valid passport (or another document that is acceptable) and an Incoming Passenger card to enter Australia. The rest travelers who would like to visit Australia must have the following:

a valid passport
a valid visa or authority
Incoming passenger card (completed and signed) with character and health declaration.

Remember that requirements may change anytime, so it is recommended to visit the official website to verify the information.

Methods of Getting a Visa for Australia

As Australian visa policy states, you can choose from many visa types for Australia. You can obtain visitor, studying, training, family, partner, working, skilled, refugee, humanitarian, or other visas.

Electronic visa

There are 2 available types of online visas for Australia – ETA and eVisitor. The first one is designed for nationals from 7 countries, while the second one is available for around 40 European countries. Both visas automatically link to your passport number, so there is no need to print them. They are also multiple-entry permits, which means you can re-enter Australia numerous times as the owner during the validity period of 12 months.

Visa on Arrival

This type of visa is perfect if you want to obtain a travel permit after your entry to the country. As the Australian government states, a visa on arrival is available only for New Zealand citizens. You must meet all the visa requirements to obtain it (such as character and health conditions).

Regular Visa

Other European countries and nations must obtain a traditional visa to enter Australia. They need to make an appointment at the embassy and be interviewed there. Besides, if you plan to stay in Australia longer than 3 months, live, or work there, you must apply for the necessary permits.

Countries and regions which require a visa for entry into Australia

Before your trip, check the lists of eligible countries for certain visa types.

List of countries eligible for an Australia e-Visa:

Andorra
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Switzerland
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Germany
Denmark
Estonia
Spain
Finland
France
United Kingdom
Greece
Croatia
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Latvia
Monaco
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
San Marino
Vatican City
Portugal
Sweden
Slovakia
Slovenia
Romania

List of eligible countries for ETA:

Canada
Hong Kong
Japan
South Korea
Malaysia
United States
Singapore
Brunei Darussalam

Visa on arrival is only available for New Zealand citizens.

Regular Australian visa countries list:

United Arab Emirates
Afghanistan
Anguilla
Albania
Armenia
Angola
Argentina
American Samoa
Aruba
Aland Islands
Azerbaijan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Barbados
Bangladesh
Burkina Faso
Bahrain
Burundi
Benin
Bermuda
Bolivia
Brazil
Bahamas
Bhutan
Botswana
Belarus
Belize
Cocos Islands
Congo
Central African Republic
Republic of the Congo
Ivory Coast
Cook Islands
Chile
Cameroon
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Serbia
Cuba
Christmas Island
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Algeria
Ecuador
Egypt
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Fiji
Falkland Islands
Micronesia
Faroe Islands
Gabon
Grenada
Georgia
French Guiana
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greenland
Gambia
Guinea Bissau
Guinea
Guadeloupe
Equatorial Guinea
Sandwich Islands
Guatemala
Guam
Guyana
Honduras
Haiti
Indonesia
Israel
India
Iraq
Iran
Jamaica
Jordan
Kenya
Kyrgyzstan
Cambodia
Kiribati
Comoros
Saint Kitts and Nevis
North Korea
Kuwait
Cayman Islands
Kazakhstan
Laos
Lebanon
Saint Lucia
Sri Lanka
Liberia
Lesotho
Libya
Morocco
Moldova
Montenegro
Madagascar
Marshall Islands
Macedonia
Mali
Myanmar
Mongolia
Macau
Northern Mariana Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Montserrat
Mauritius
Maldives
Malawi
Mexico
Mozambique
Namibia
New Caledonia
Niger
Norfolk Island
Nigeria
Nicaragua
Nepal
Nauru
Niue
Oman
Panama
Peru
French Polynesia
New Guinea
Philippines
Pakistan
Sierra Leone
Senegal
Somalia
Suriname
Sao Tome
El Salvador
Syria
Swaziland
Caicos Islands
Chad
Togo
Thailand
Tajikistan
Tokelau
Timor Leste
Turkmenistan
Tunisia
Tonga
Turkey
Tuvalu
Taiwan
Tanzania
Ukraine
Uganda
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Venezuela
British Virgin Islands
Vietnam
Vanuatu
Samoa
Yemen
Mayotte
South Africa
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Qatar
Seychelles
Palau
Rwanda
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Trinidad and Tobago
Paraguay
Sudan
South Sudan
Palestine
United States Virgin Islands
Turks and Caicos Islands
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Isle of Man
Guernsey
Solomon Islands
Sao Tome and Principe
Saint Martin
Saint Helena
Reunion
Puerto Rico
Jersey
Curacao
Cape Verde
British Indian Ocean Territory
Antigua and Barbuda
Saint Barthelemy
Sint Maarten
Bonaire

Entry requirements for children

As the Australian government confirmed, children must meet all conditions like adult citizens to obtain a visa. They need to take part in a visa application process and wait for confirmation.

Transit information

All travelers who would like to transit through Australia must have a visa. It is advisable to apply earlier to avoid inconveniences like delays, rejection, or even deportation.

Important information

There are several types of Australian visas: ETA, eVisitor, visa on arrival, and traditional visa available for eligible travelers.
Australian ETA and eVisitor are multiple-entry visas valid for 12 months that allow for up to a 3-month stay.
To participate in a visa process, applicants must have a valid passport, completed form, and Incoming passenger card.
As for now, additional COVID-19 testing and vaccinations are not required, but the situation may change, so be updated.
If you want to transit through Australia, you must obtain a visa.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need a visa to travel to Australia?

According to the visa policy of Australia, a visa is a must-have for almost all travelers who plan to visit the country. Only New Zealand nationals can cross the Australian border with a passport.

What are the methods of getting a visa for Australia?

You can have an Australian ETA, eVisitor, visa on arrival, or a regular one. Choose the type of visa perfect for your purpose of stay, length, and nationality to enjoy the trip without additional stress.

Can I get an Australia visa on arrival?

Visa on arrival to Australia is designed only for citizens of New Zealand.

What are the requirements for going to Australia?

You must have a valid visa (if necessary), an Incoming passenger card, active means of payment to cover the fee and a passport that won't expire within the next 6 months.

Do I need a visa to transit through Australia?

Yes, the visa is necessary if you transiting through Australia. Check all the conditions before your trip.

What are the requirements for children traveling to Australia?

Children who travel to Australia must meet all the requirements as adult visitors. They need to have valid documents like a passport or Incoming passenger card, as well as a visa.