Tourist visas
For people visiting Australia for holidays, tourism, recreation or to see family and friends.
TOURIST VISA CATEGORIES
■ eVisitor, subclass 651
■ Tourist, subclass 676 / Electronic Tourist, subclass e676
■ Sponsored Family Visitor, subclass 679
■ ETA (Visitor), subclass 976
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
eVisitor, subclass 651
Available to passport holders from the European Union and a number of other European countries who want to travel to Australia for tourist, recreation and business purposes.
Main criteria:
- no substantial criminal record
- good health (free from tuberculosis at the time of travel to Australia)
- hold a passport from one of the following European countries:
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Republic of San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
United Kingdom - British Citizen, Vatican City
eVisitor is valid for 12 months from the date of grant. It allows holder to enter Australia on multiple occasions within its validity. Up to 3 month stay after each visit is permitted.
eVisitor does not allow to work; limited volunteer work may be acceptable*.
*It is acceptable, under the conditions of an eVisitor, to receive meals, accommodation and/ or reimbursement of out-of-pocket living expenses in return for voluntary work.
An eVisitor application can only be lodged online; an applicant must be outside Australia.
There is no application fee.
Tourist, subclass 676 / Electronic Tourist, subclass e676
Main criteria:
- sufficient funds to cover cost of travel and stay in Australia
- no substantial criminal record
- good health (free from tuberculosis at the time of travel to Australia)
Required documents (online applications):
- valid passport
- recent bank statement
- application fee:
for offshore applications - $110
for onshore applications - $260
Note:
European Union passport holders wishing to visit Australia for 3 months or less are not required to pay application fee.
Required documents (paper applications):
- application form 48
- valid passport
- passport photo of the main applicant and all childred included in parent's passport who also want to travel to
Australia
- recent bank statement
- evidence of current employment (eg. employer reference letter)
- application fee:
for offshore applications- $110
for onshore applications - $260 ($290 - from 1 January 2012)
Additional required documents:
- if application includes a child under 18 years of age, consent from the non-accompanying parent(s) or legal guardian(s) if
the child is travelling alone or with only one parent or guardian
- if application includes a child under 18 years of age, full birth certificate of the child
- in case of applicants 70 years of age and older, letter from a panel doctor allowing applicant to travel
- students must provide letter from school/university that confirms current enrolment and approved absence.
Tourist visa may be granted for a stay of up to 12 months, depending on the purpose of the visit and personal circumstances of the visa applicant.
Sponsored Family Visitor, subclass 679
Main criteria:
Applicant
- no substantial criminal record
- good health (free from tuberculosis at the time of travel to Australia)
Sponsor
- close relative (Australian citizen or permanent resident), partner including de facto, parent, child, step child, uncle,
aunt, nephew, niece, grandparent, grandchild, or
- member of an Australian parliament, or
- a local government mayor, or
- an authorised person representing a Commonwealth, State or Territory department or instrumentality, or
- security deposit (in some cases)
Required documents:
- application forms 48s and 1149 (sponsor)
- application fee $120 ($140 - from 1 January 2012)
- valid passport
- passport photo of the main applicant and all children included in the parent's passport who also want to travel to
Australia
Additional required documents:
- if application includes a child under 18 years of age, consent from the non-accompanying parent(s) or legal guardian(s) if
the child is travelling alone or with only one parent or guardian
- if application includes a child under 18 years of age, full birth certificate of the child
- in case of applicants 70 years of age and older, letter from a panel doctor allowing applicant to travel
- students must provide letter from school/university that confirms current enrolment and approved absence.
An application for Sponsored Family Visitor visa, subclass 679 can only be lodged through sponsor in Australia.
ETA (Visitor), subclass 976
Main criteria:
- no substantial criminal record
- good health (free from tuberculosis at the time of travel to Australia)
- hold a passport from one of the following countries:
Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong (SAR), Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea,United States of America
Required documents:
- valid passport
Applications for ETA (Visitor) can be lodged either online, through a travel agent, airline or at an Australian visa office outside Australia.
Note: online applications are subject to a service charge AUD$20.
