Australia: Entry Rules for VisitorsLast check:Last update:Data statusLast check:Last update:
Australia:Visa Requirement Map
Explore which nationalities need a visa to enter this country and which can enter visa-free.
Australia: Visa and entry documents and requirements
Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.
Electronic Travel Authority Requirements
- The Electronic Travel Authority, Electronic Travel Authority – ETA, is granted under subclass 601. The applicant must be eligible for this type of authorization in terms of passport, be outside Australia at the time of application, and remain outside Australia until a decision is made.
- Applications are made only through the Australian ETA mobile application. The ETA application cannot be made through ImmiAccount or via an Australian embassy or consulate. Each traveler, including children, must submit a separate application.
- For the application, a valid passport with an electronic chip, an NFC‑enabled compatible mobile device, a functioning email address, and the applicant’s physical presence during the application process are required. The personal information page of the passport is scanned with the application and the electronic passport chip is read via the mobile device.
- The applicant must take a live facial photograph within the application. The photograph must be taken in a well‑lit environment, in front of a plain background, with the face directly facing the camera. Submission of a separate printed photograph is not required.
- In the application, passport details, previous or other names, birth details, home address, telephone number, verified email address, other passports, and contact information in Australia are declared. If the application requests location permission, device location access may need to be allowed.
- The applicant must answer criminal record and conviction questions correctly. Persons with a criminal conviction in any country may be asked to apply for an appropriate visitor visa instead of an ETA and to submit documents related to the conviction.
- The ETA is electronically linked to the passport used in the application. The traveler must travel to Australia with the same passport. If the passport is renewed or passport details change, a new ETA application may be required. Applicants with more than one passport must declare their other passports in the application.
- The service fee for using the ETA mobile application is 20 Australian dollars. It is stated that no separate ETA visa fee is charged in addition. The payment method may be credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay depending on the device and app store used.
- The ETA may generally be used for multiple trips within a 12‑month period from the date of grant. It permits a stay of up to three months on each entry. The authorization may be used for tourist visits, family or friend visits, and certain business visit activities. It does not grant the right to work in Australia. Educational or course activity is limited to a maximum of three months.
- The applicant must meet health and character requirements. Visa conditions such as being free from tuberculosis and having no serious criminal record may apply. The competent authority may request additional information, a health examination, a character certificate, or an application for a different visa type.
- The passport must be valid for travel and the electronic chip must be readable.
- A round‑trip ticket, hotel reservation, bank account statement, specific minimum bank balance, and travel health insurance are not specified as universally mandatory documents for all ETA applications. However, the traveler must be a genuine temporary visitor and be able to answer questions about the purpose of travel at entry control.
- No fixed processing time applicable to everyone has been published for the official processing time of the ETA. Travel must not commence before approval is received.
- A printed visa label is not issued. The ETA is electronically linked to the passport. Although carrying the approval notification in printed form is not stated as a general requirement, it is recommended to keep the decision email or electronic record accessible during travel.
E‑Visa Application Requirements
- Australia’s electronic visitor visas include the eVisitor subclass 651 and the Visitor visa subclass 600. The appropriate visa type is determined based on passport, country of residence, purpose of travel, duration of stay, and the applicant’s personal circumstances.
eVisitor Subclass 651
- The applicant must be outside Australia at the time of application and at the time of decision. The application is made online via ImmiAccount. Names, birth details, and passport details on the form must be entered completely as written in the passport.
- The application is made with a valid passport and the granted authorization is electronically linked to that passport. If the passport changes, a new application may be required.
- The applicant must be a genuine temporary visitor, meet health and character requirements, and comply with permitted visit activities. Additional documents regarding criminal record, health status, or previous immigration violations may be requested.
- The eVisitor permits multiple entries within a 12‑month validity period and a stay of up to three months on each entry. It may be used for tourism, cruise travel, family or friend visits, and permitted short‑term business visit activities. It does not grant the right to work. Educational or course activity may be a maximum of three months.
- The documents to be submitted in an eVisitor application are generated in ImmiAccount according to the personal circumstances. Passport scan, travel purpose, health, character, or previous travel‑related additional documents may be requested.
- A round‑trip ticket, accommodation document, a specific number of months of bank statements, minimum bank balance, and specific travel health insurance coverage are not published as universal requirements for all applicants.
- The current amount should be checked before application via the official pricing tool and the ImmiAccount payment screen.
- There is no fixed official processing time. Current estimated times should be checked from the official global processing time tool at the date of application.
Visitor Visa Subclass 600
- The application is made via ImmiAccount by selecting the appropriate stream according to the purpose of travel. The applicant may need to remain outside Australia until a decision is made in the tourist and business visit streams where the application is made outside Australia.
- The online form must be completed fully and accurately. Name, other or previous names, birth details, marital status, contact details, passport details, purpose of travel, planned dates, contact persons in Australia, previous travel, and health and character information are declared. In the electronic application, the applicant’s online declaration is used instead of a separate wet signature.
- A clear and legible color copy of the passport’s personal information page with photograph must be submitted. The application system may request other pages of the passport or old passports depending on personal circumstances. A fixed list of passport page scans applicable to everyone is not published.
- The passport must be valid for travel. Damaged, illegible, or travel documents whose identity information cannot be verified may not be accepted.
- The applicant must submit documents supporting the purpose of travel and the temporary visit plan. Travel itinerary, planned activities, flight details, accommodation details, or documents showing how the visit to Australia will be carried out may be requested in the personal checklist. Purchased airline tickets are not specified as a universal requirement for all applicants.
- The applicant may need to demonstrate that they have sufficient financial means to cover the costs of the visit. Current bank account statements, income documents, or other financial documents may be used.
- Documents showing that the applicant will return to their country of residence or legal residence at the end of the visit may be requested. Employees may submit a current payslip and employer leave letter, students a school or university enrollment certificate, business owners company and business activity documents. The evidence requested varies according to the applicant’s occupation and personal circumstances.
- An invitation letter may be requested for family or friend visits. The invitation letter must explain the identity of the inviting person, contact details, relationship with the applicant, purpose of visit, dates of stay, accommodation arrangements, and who will cover the costs. Documents showing the inviting person’s passport, citizenship, or legal status in Australia may be requested.
- If the costs are covered by another person, the bank statements, income documents, and a letter stating that the sponsor or person assuming the costs will cover them may be requested.
- In the Sponsored Family stream, official Form 1149 must be completed by the sponsor and attached to the application. Birth, marriage, or similar documents showing the sponsor’s appropriate status in Australia and family tie with the applicant may be requested. The sponsor may be invited to lodge a security bond per person in some cases. Whether a bond is required and its amount are determined on a case‑by‑case basis; sponsorship does not guarantee that the visa will be granted.
- For applicants under 18, a birth certificate showing both parents of the child, passport copies of the parents or legal guardians, and, if necessary, custody documents must be submitted. If the child is traveling without one or both parents, Form 1229 or an equivalent signed consent declaration may be requested. If the child will stay with a person who is not a relative or legal guardian in Australia, Form 1257 may be requested.
- Non‑English documents must be translated into English. The original document and its translation must be uploaded together. If the translator is in Australia, the NAATI registration number; if outside Australia, the translator’s name, address, telephone number, and professional qualification must be in the translation. There is no universal notarization, apostille, or legalization requirement for all documents; certification requirements vary by document and application.
- If a photograph is requested, a file meeting the technical criteria specified in the ImmiAccount personal checklist must be uploaded.
- Biometric data such as fingerprints and facial image may be requested from the applicant. This procedure is not an automatic requirement for all applicants. If biometrics are requested, the official notification explains the method to be followed via the Australian Immi App or an authorized Australian Biometrics Collection Centre.
- A health examination is not automatic for all applications. If a health examination is requested, the applicant is informed of the required examinations and the HAP identification number. Visa health examinations conducted outside Australia must be completed with an authorized panel physician.
- A police certificate, criminal record certificate, Form 80, military service document, or other character documents may be requested based on the applicant’s background. All charges and convictions, even if considered spent or statute‑barred, must be declared accurately as asked.
- It is recommended to take out travel health insurance. Insurance may become separately necessary due to health condition, visa condition, or personal circumstances.
- In the tourist and business visit streams, the base application fee starts at 250 Australian dollars as of 1 July 2026. A different or reduced fee may apply in limited cases. An additional processing fee may arise depending on the card or online payment method. The exact payment amount is calculated by ImmiAccount and the official pricing tool after the application information is provided.
- No fixed period applicable to everyone has been published regarding how many days or months before travel the application must be made. Processing times vary depending on application volume, missing documents, health, character, and biometric processes. Firm and non‑changeable travel arrangements must not be made before a visa decision is received.
- The duration of stay that may be granted with a Visitor 600 may be three, six, or twelve months depending on the application stream and decision. Whether the visa is single or multiple entry, the validity period, and the permitted stay on each entry are stated in the visa grant letter. The requested duration is not automatically granted.
- The tourist stream may be used for tourism, cruise travel, and family or friend visits. The business visit stream is for limited activities such as meetings, contract negotiations, general business or employment inquiry, conference and trade event attendance. It does not grant the right to work for an Australian business or receive remuneration from an Australian entity.
- The application system generates a personalized document list based on citizenship, country of residence, selected stream, purpose of travel, age, family situation, and the answers provided. Therefore, there is no single and immutable universal document list for all applicants. The Department may request additional documents, health examination, biometrics, police certificate, or interview.
- The visa is electronically linked to the passport. Affixing a visa label to the passport is not general practice.
Visa on Arrival Requirements
- The visa granted on arrival in Australia is a special and citizenship‑based practice called the Special Category Visa – SCV, subclass 444. It is not a general visa‑on‑arrival system and may only be used by travelers who hold the passport eligibility legally prescribed for this category.
- An eligible traveler does not need to apply for an SCV before travel. A valid passport is presented upon entry to Australia and the Incoming Passenger Card is completed fully and accurately. An eligibility check is conducted by the border officer based on the passport and the information on the incoming passenger card.
- The traveler must meet health and character requirements. Persons considered a health risk or raising concerns regarding conduct and character may not be granted an SCV. Travelers with any criminal record, deportation history, serious health issue, or previous immigration violation may need to apply for another visa before travel.
- The SCV is a temporary visa that grants the eligible traveler the right to visit, study, reside, and work in Australia. The visa ceases when the traveler departs from Australia. On each subsequent entry, eligibility is reassessed.
- Application form, photograph, bank statement, hotel reservation, travel insurance, or prepaid visa fee are not specified for a general visa‑on‑arrival process.
Transit Visa Requirements
- Travelers who will travel to another country via Australia must obtain a Transit Visa subclass 771 if they do not meet the visa‑free transit conditions.
- The transit visa application is made online via ImmiAccount. The applicant must be outside Australia at the time of application, demonstrate that they will pass through Australia to another country, and prove that they will leave Australia no later than 72 hours.
- The personal information page of the valid passport, issuance and expiry details of the passport, national identity document if available, confirmed flight or travel reservation to the next country, and a visa or travel document showing the right to enter the destination country may be submitted.
- The short transit plan in Australia and the details of the onward journey must be explained in the application. If transiting to commence work on board a ship, the relevant maritime visa, ship joining document, and employer or agent documents may be requested.
- One recent, passport‑style photograph showing the full face and taken in front of a plain background may be requested.
- A certified copy of the national identity document is submitted only if the applicant has such a document or if it is requested in the personal checklist. Proof of legal residence in the country of application may be requested depending on personal circumstances.
- A fixed bank account period, minimum bank balance, hotel reservation, or travel health insurance coverage are not specified as universal requirements for all applicants for a transit visa.
- A health examination, police clearance certificate, or biometric data request may be made according to the applicant’s circumstances. If requested, the time and method specified in the notification must be followed. The competent authority may request additional documents or information.
- A transit visa permits a stay in Australia of up to 72 hours. The period cannot be extended and cannot be used for longer stays for tourist or work purposes. The visa validity and entry conditions are stated in the decision notification.
- The official pricing tool and the ImmiAccount payment screen should be checked before application.
- The official processing time is not fixed. The current estimated time should be checked from the official global processing time tool at the date of application. Travel must not commence before the transit visa is approved.
- Travelers who meet the designated passport and routing eligibility may benefit from visa‑free transit in Australia. For this, they must arrive in Australia by air, have a confirmed flight to a third country departing within eight hours of arrival, hold a valid travel document accepted for entry to the destination country, and, if necessary, a visa for the destination country.
- A traveler on visa‑free transit must not pass through immigration control and must not leave the international transit lounge. If baggage collection, transfer to a different terminal, closure of the transit area overnight, or passing through immigration control for the onward flight is required, a transit visa or another appropriate visa must be obtained.
- The visa‑free transit facility depends on airport facilities and flight arrangements. Not all Australian airports or all terminal connections are suitable for visa‑free transit. The traveler must confirm before travel that the baggage is checked through to the final destination and that it is not necessary to pass through border control to change terminals.